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Fetch your pawfect getaway: the New Forest dog holiday guide!

The festival, where dogs are the real V.I.P’s, Dogstival is a day out dedicated to our tail wagging friends. Packed full of canine approved entertainment, with amazing arena displays and heaps of ‘have a go’ activities for your own pooch, live music and treats for everyone, owners included.

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Shorefield Holidays

A spotted dog with a red bandana leaps through the air, splashing water during a dock diving competition.

Dogstival, the festival dedicated to our four-legged friends is back! On Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June 2025, Burley Park in the New Forest will transform into a doggy paradise!

The festival, where dogs are the real V.I.P’s, Dogstival is a day out dedicated to our tail wagging friends. Packed full of canine approved entertainment, with amazing arena displays and heaps of ‘have a go’ activities for your own pooch, live music and treats for everyone, owners included.

With so many dogs and owners visiting the area for the festival, we’ve put together our favourite places to enjoy with your dog in the New Forest.

Dog-friendly attractions & activities

  • Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway – 22 miles of beautifully manicured gardens to explore, well behaved dogs can also hop on board the miniature steam railway!

  • Hurst Castle – Explore the English Heritage site with your pooch and take in the views across the Solent and across to the Isle of Wight from this magnificent fortress by the sea.

  • New Forest Reptile Centre – Learn all about the New Forest’s native reptiles. Dogs are welcome in the centre provided they are friendly and are kept on leads, so the reptiles aren’t disturbed.

  • Canoeing with New Forest Activities - At New Forest Activities, it might surprise you to learn that dogs can enjoy a guided Canoeing tour with you. Sat in the stable canoe, your dog can sit and relax whilst you paddle them about exploring this stunning river.

  • Cycling with Cyclexperience Brockenhurst – Hire a bike to get out and really explore amongst the ancient trees of the New Forest and bring the dog along for the journey. With dog trailers available to rent, it’s easy to include your furry friend in the adventure.

Our top walkies

Whether you're hiking through the ancient New Forest, or exploring the Scenic South Coast, our Top Dog Walks section is here to guide you and your furry friend to the best spots for your daily adventure. Each walk is handpicked to offer a mix of fun and plenty of sniff-worthy stops for your pup.

  • Keyhaven Marshes - Walk via the Solent Way through this amazing nature reserve rich in wildlife, with views across to the Isle of Wight and the needles, with dog friendly pubs at either end of this walk.

  • Beaulieu to Bucklers Hard – This two-mile route is one of the most beautiful in the New Forest, follow along the Beaulieu River, rich in wildlife and finish at Bucklers Hard, where Lord Nelson’s favourite ship, Agamemnon was built in 1781.

  • Bolderwood Radnor Trail – Follow this trail to experience the ancient trees of the New Forest in all their wonder. Towards the end of this trail you will find a purpose-built deer viewing platform, this inclosure is home to a large herd of fallow deer. The deer gather in the meadow for their daily feed between noon and 3pm, from April to September.

  • Brockenhurst Village – This picturesque village in the middle of the New Forest is surrounded by some of the best Forest landscapes. This varied walk takes you across grazed lawns and through riverside woodlands before skirting around the edge of the village to take in some great heathland views. Return through the village where you’ll find an excellent array of independent shops.

Dog-friendly pubs

Close-up of a white and tan terrier mix dog with eyes closed, being held by a person wearing a blue jacket.

What better way to end a walk in the New Forest than with a pub lunch where both you and your canine can relax? There are plenty of dog-friendly pubs in the New Forest that offer a friendly reception to dog walkers and their faithful friends. Here are just a few.

Unleash the fun: dog-friendly holidays at Shorefield!

A brown dog with large ears peacefully sleeps nestled between white pillows. Its eyes are closed and it has a content expression.

We are well versed in the great British doggy holiday, having been offering pet-friendly getaways for over sixty years, we completely understand the importance of bringing the whole family, including your four-legged friends, why should they miss out on all the fun?

Make a real weekend of it and enjoy everything Dogstival has to offer while staying in our range of pet-friendly accommodation.

We offer pet-friendly options across all our self-catering accommodation and dogs are welcome on all of our camping and touring parks. We even have speciality dog lodges, our Superior+ Hot Tub Lodges are perfect for muddy paws, equipped with special features created with your furry friends in mind, these lodges include an enclosed pet garden, a doggy shower area and a plush dog bed.

A French bulldog with a red collar stands on grass in front of a white camper van.

There are dedicated dog areas in our main complexes at both Shorefield Country Park and Oakdene Forest Park, so you can bring the dog with you when you enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. In The Beachcomber complex dogs take priority with their own space 'Pooch Corner' in our bar & restaurant and new pooch menu.

Our holiday parks are in some of the most spectacular locations in Hampshire and Dorset, with some of the best dog walking spots right on your doorstep. There's so much to discover with miles and miles of beautiful New Forest and coastline to explore.

Pets Go FREE
A dachshund sits on a couch in front of a smiling older couple.

Pawfect Holidays

Bring the whole family on holiday and give your four legged friend a 'pawfect' holiday as all pets go free! make your holiday a true family affair, we have pet-friendly choices across all our accommodation and pitch types. Offer ends Monday 02 June 2025

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