If you’re daydreaming of a cosy cottage surrounded by beautiful beaches, cycle routes, hiking paths and historical castles, dog-friendly cottages in the Isle of Wight are a fitting choice.
It’s no wonder that so many people want to bring their four-legged friends to the Isle of Wight, a place famed for its distinctive white cliffs and natural beauty. Dog-friendly beaches and a high number of dog-friendly local attractions make the isle especially pet-friendly.
Located a short ferry ride from Southampton, the Isle of Wight is best known for its stunning coastline. At The Needles, a chairlift soars over rugged white cliffs. The whole of the Isle of Wight’s south coast, including its dog-friendly beaches and its rolling hills, can be explored from the Isle of Wight Coastal Path too. Meanwhile, wildlife appreciators can tick off the many sanctuaries and farm parks, including the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Monkey Haven and Tapnell Farm Park. History buffs are equally as spoilt, with sites such as the medieval Carisbrooke Castle, Quarr Abbey, Osborne and Dinosaur Isle on the island. The following dog-friendly holiday cottages are some of the best holiday homes on the Isle of Wight right now, so take your pick from features such as enclosed gardens, hot tubs, sea views and woodburning stoves.
The Top 6 Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages:
1. Ivy Cottage (Ventnor, Isle of Wight)
2. The Old Dairy (Gatcombe, Isle of Wight)
3. St Michael’s House (St Helens, Isle of Wight)
4. Freemantle Lodge (Wroxall, Isle of Wight)
5. Ladylands Cottage (Shorwell, Isle of Wight)
6. Aquanaut (Gurnard, Isle of Wight)
Ivy Cottage
Location: Ventnor, Isle of Wight
Best for: A dog-friendly cottage with sea views
With sailing boats on the horizon and a sandy beach just a couple of minutes away, Ivy Cottage is an excellent place for a seaside break on the Isle of Wight. Victorian in origin, the pet-friendly cottage is based in the equally-as-charming Victorian town of Ventnor, known for its sheltered beach and zigzag-shaped terraces. With the Victorian village of Bonchurch and the scenic village of Godshill both a short drive away, the two-bedroom holiday home is ideal for holidays involving ample visits to beach huts, coffee shops, ice cream stalls and castles.
When you’re not sharing a glass of Prosecco on the sea view terrace or throwing open the doors of the conservatory to let in the fresh sea breeze, there are a variety of dog-friendly beaches and dog-friendly attractions within driving distance of the cottage. Make your way to the island’s oldest tourist attraction, a gorge with a misty waterfall and dreamy walking paths. Soak up the views of the countryside on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway too, which handily welcomes four-legged friends to join the ride.
Facilities: It’s no surprise that Ivy Cottage is one of the most sought-after dog-friendly holiday cottages on the Isle of Wight. Look over the patio and there’s a small, sandy bay awaiting below. Views of the blue ocean greet guests from the wooden patio and the conservatory. Inside the conservatory, sea-themed décor stretches from sofa cushions to model seagulls and hanging boats. If you’re looking for another cosy place to unwind indoors, a miniature-sized woodburning stove sheds warmth over the living room on cooler evenings. A compact kitchen and dining table round off the quaint living spaces, and when it’s time to get some shut-eye, the two bedrooms consist of a double bed and an adult-sized bunk bed, an ideal situation for families with teens.
The Old Dairy
Location: Gatcombe, Isle of Wight
Best for: A peaceful rural getaway for two in a converted dairy barn
The Old Dairy is a pet-friendly cottage in the form of a converted old dairy barn and a unique setting for a couples’ or friends’ getaway on the Isle of Wight. Two guests and their adventurous dog are likely to appreciate the pretty cottage’s rural location on the outskirts of Gatcombe, which is part of the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As a result, the dog-friendly holiday home is surrounded by stunning scenery and packed with spectacular cycle routes and walking paths.
One place within walking or driving distance of The Old Dairy is Carisbrooke Castle, a formidable structure with a long history as an artillery fortress, a king’s prison, and a royal summer residence. A short drive will get guests to Whale Chine’s sandstone cliffs, and if The Needles’ chalk cliff stacks are also on your Isle of Wight bucket list, they’re only half an hour’s drive away too. Being in a central position just south of Newport means that accessing all four corners of the island is easy.
Facilities: A gravel drive leads the way to The Old Dairy. Built from stone and marked by a series of wooden doors, the property has a grass lawn and green slopes on all sides, enough to make you feel like you’re removed from all busy society. With red tartan curtains, a paisley rug, a chandelier, an old radio and other traditional features, the living room is packed with traditional elements. Modern conveniences can be found in the kitchen, regardless. Spend the evening on the wooden chairs that are set out in the gravel front garden; this is a wonderful place for a romantic getaway.
St. Michael’s House
Location: St Helens, Isle of Wight
Best for: A stylish dog-friendly holiday cottage with large bay windows and a barbecue
Painted pink, St Michael’s House is a pretty cottage indeed. The three-bedroom holiday home welcomes five people and two well-behaved dogs to take a break in St Helens, an old village in a peaceful coastal position in the east of the Isle of Wight. Home to a National Trust beach and overlooking the lively Bembridge harbour, this is an excellent place to go wildlife watching in the sand dunes, charter a fishing boat and check out the church, which was once consumed by a tidal wave.
The pretty village has an impressive selection of places to eat with your four-legged friend, from nearby traditional pubs to hip eateries and cafés. The Isle of Wight Distillery is located in nearby Seaview for those who want to taste hand-crafted Isle of Wight potions, while wine-lovers have the option of visiting Adgestone Vineyard between Sandown and Brading too. Shanklin, with its old village, ravine and sandy beach, is also a 15-minute drive away from the dog-friendly accommodation.
Facilities: Framed by large symmetrical bay windows, St Michael’s House isn’t just cosy; it’s also a great example of one of the Isle of Wight’s most stylish pet-friendly cottages. A pretty patio has a set of chairs covered by a parasol, ideal for balmy evenings around the charcoal barbecue or morning coffee dates. Inside, gather around the woodburning stove or the dining table. Stairs lead upstairs to the three bedrooms. There are two bathrooms to choose from too; one of them has a bath should you want to soak your feet after an active weekend.
Freemantle Lodge
Location: Wroxall, Isle of Wight
Best for: A peaceful getaway on a 300-acre farm estate
Tucked away in a 300-acre working farm estate, Freemantle Lodge is truly an escape from the everyday. The owner’s farm is home to Appuldurcombe House, an English Heritage site known for its impressive Capability Brown Gardens, making the location as historic as it is scenic. It’s the perfect retreat for four guests and one well-behaved four-legged friend, as the enclosed patio has views over miles of lush green countryside in the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
If you’re travelling to the Isle of Wight with your furry friend, it’s likely that you’re looking for dog-friendly holiday cottages with easy access to rural or coastal walks. You may also be looking for holiday cottages a short distance from dog-friendly attractions such as Shanklin Chine. Freemantle Lodge fits the bill; it’s a short drive from the south coast, Shanklin, the Amazon World Zoo and Whale Chine, among other attractions.
Facilities: Freemantle Lodge isn’t your typical pet-friendly accommodation. The stone cottage is ridiculously peaceful, being surrounded by working farmland, affording guests greater privacy and peace and quiet. Throw open the doors and there’s a tablet ready for you to take in the views over breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks, while your dog scopes out the safe, enclosed space. With a wooden shed for bicycles and a dog bed, food, water bowl and microfibre cloth provided, the property is well set up for an active break with your canine companion. In the way of relaxation, the living room also has a smart TV with Freeview, books, games and DVDs.
Ladylands Cottage
Location: Shorwell, Isle of Wight
Best for: A quaint dog-friendly getaway near the Tennyson Trail
Ladylands Cottage may look dainty from the outside, but the attractive period-style accommodation is packed with surprises. The first is that there’s space for six guests and one well-behaved dog across three bedrooms. To add to that, the enclosed back garden is packed with greenery, and behind the hedges, there are views of miles of typical Isle of Wight countryside. This greenery doesn’t come without suitable seating; a wooden table set is laid out on a paved patio for those who like to take their breakfasts, lunches and dinners in the open air.
Shorwell is a gorgeous village a few minutes by car from the south coast of the Isle of Wight, meaning that coastal walks past sandstone cliffs, the Isle of Wight Pearl and coves like Compton Beach are easily accessible too. A dog-friendly holiday at Ladylands Cottage might consist of ice creams on Shanklin Beach, sightseeing at The Needles Landmark Attraction or ticking off the many hiking paths that snake around the isle. The cosy lodge is also situated alongside a bridal path leading to The Tennyson Trail, a 14-mile route from Carisbrooke to The Needles.
Facilities: All the family – canines included – are catered to at Ladylands Cottage. There are multi-level gardens and nearby woods for canine companions to get their exercise, as well as a utility room where you can dispose of walking boots and deal with any dirty paws. When you’re not dining at the holiday home’s local pub, The Crown Inn, channel your culinary creativity in the kitchen. You might want to prepare drinks and snacks to accompany one of the books and games that have been provided. With a warm, traditional and cosy vibe, the dog-friendly holiday cottage is the type of place that feels like a warm welcome into a second home.
Aquanaut
Location: Gurnard, Isle of Wight
Best for: A luxury property with a hot tub and barbecue
Aquanaut sounds like something from outer space. However, the stylish, contemporary dog-friendly holiday cottage shouldn’t feel at all alien to luxury-seekers. Filled with luxury appliances, the property has an open-plan living space which opens up onto a large lawn with a barbecue, firepit and plenty of space for one well-behaved dog to stretch their legs. Only a short drive from the port in Cowes, Aquanaut is near the gateway to the Isle of Wight and within walking distance of Gurnard Beach and Gurnard Sailing Club.
As a small resort, Gurnard is a great alternative to bigger and busier alternatives such as Shanklin. There’s plenty of scope to recharge here, whether it’s with peaceful coastal walks or days relaxing at the detached villa. In the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Thorness Bay Beach is only a 10-minute drive away from the villa, and as a Site of Special Scientific Interest with a two-mile sandy beach, it’s excellent for families and wildlife watchers alike.
Facilities: Aquanaut is the most luxurious pick out of the dog-friendly holiday cottages in the round-up. This makes it the perfect retreat for families who like their creature comforts or those accustomed to the finer things in life. The enclosed garden patio is kitted out with a hot tub, a firepit, an outdoor shower, a barbecue and outdoor furniture such as sun loungers. Any guests with electric cars can also charge their vehicles at home using the EV charging point provided. Meanwhile, the first-floor living room has its own balcony and there’s a woodburning stove in the lower-ground living space.
If you’re still searching for your perfect getaway, Breakfree Holidays has a wide selection of dog friendly cottages across the UK to fit all budgets.
Discover More Dog-Friendly Cottages with Breakfree Holidays
Still on the hunt for the perfect retreat for you and your four-legged friend? Breakfree Holidays has a huge selection of accommodations throughout the UK to explore. Head over to our website to see the full range of options available to you, and book your next break today.
Please note that some of the images in this blog post have been provided by Sykes Cottages.