Have a Tail-Wagging Stay at These 10 Dog-Friendly Cottages in Devon
From big country homes to snug cottages for two, here are our favourite spots to stay for a tail-wagging time
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Devon is one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations, and it’s easy to see why. From national parks to AONBs, there are a variety of beautiful natural landscapes all around. Whether you’re looking to stay in a lively seaside town or disconnect in nature, there are plenty of places to call home for you and your furry friend. Keep reading for the best dog-friendly cottages in Devon that our travel experts at Plum Guide have handpicked just for you.
The Fairy Children
The Fairy Children, Plum Guide home in Devon, UK
If it’s bags of character you’re after, this Grade II-listed thatched cottage has plenty of it. The magical garden is full of nooks and crannies to discover, from the old water mill to the treehouse. A little stream runs through the garden, providing a peaceful soundtrack to alfresco lunches. The interiors are as charming as you’d expect: its low ceilings, original fireplaces and stone walls are a nod to the home's history, while comforts like the roll-top bath and AGA cooker provide a touch of luxury. Its location in the Dartmoor National Park is pretty unbeatable, too, while the village of Chagford is a seven-minute drive away.
English Hedgerows
English Hedgerows, Plum Guide home in Devon
This one-bedroom home is one of the best dog-friendly cottages in Devon for a romantic getaway. Located in the pretty village of Branscombe, the cottage has a lot to love about it, from the thatched roof to the sunny courtyard garden filled with the sweet scent of roses. No surprise, that's our favourite spot for a tipple, where you can listen to birdsong and breathe in the fresh country air. Inside, it's the perfect size for a couple, with an open-plan kitchen and living room for cosy nights at home. If you'd rather go out for a meal, walk fifteen minutes to Branscombe village, where you'll find a small selection of pubs and cafes. Its long shingle beach is dog-friendly all year round, but for something a little more long-distance, the South West Coast Path is nearby.
Waters Of The River
Waters of the River, Plum Guide home in Devon
Can't decide whether to stay by the sea or in the countryside? Surrounded by rolling hills but just a five-minute drive from the coast, this home is the perfect compromise. You'll feel very secluded here, and the garden is the ideal spot for dining, curling up with a book and soaking in the hot tub. As much as we love the outdoors, the interiors are also pretty eye-catching. The tasteful decor is carried throughout the cottage, with two cosy lounges and four sumptuous bedrooms providing plenty of room for a big family and friends getaway. After a day of swimming and watersports down on Hope Cove (dog-friendly all year round), come back and tuck into a candlelit dinner at the alfresco dining area. After that, pour a glass of wine and gather around the fire pit for s'mores and storytelling.
By the Sea Shore
By the Sea Shore, Plum Guide home in Devon
This is one of our best dog-friendly cottages in Devon for nature lovers. You’ll have the coast on one side and the nature reserve of Slapton Ley Lake on the other. We can’t think of a better place for family holidays, where you’ll spend most of your time trying out the various dog walks or spending days at the beach. Days at home are just as enjoyable, where you can sit out in your sunny garden and gaze at the bucolic views of the surrounding nature. The interiors are clean and contemporary, with everything you could want from a holiday cottage. Bring your nearest and dearest, as there’s space for eight guests spread across the four spacious bedrooms.
Skylark Cottage
Skylark Cottage, Plum Guide home in Devon
Nestled in a quiet spot in the Teign Valley, this cottage offers a delightful rural retreat. With two bedrooms and one with an additional single bed, it’s best suited for a family. There’s a playroom for little ones upstairs, while older kids will enjoy the barn space – complete with table football, ping-pong and table tennis – and shared with two other cottages. Elsewhere in the cottage is a well-equipped kitchen and a welcoming living room centred around a cosy wood burner. The garden is a suntrap, and days here are best spent playing games on the lawn, reading on the garden chairs or taking lazy dips in the communal hot tub. When you want to head out, bikes are free of charge for you to explore the many trails that pass by the front door.
Brambles & Briars
Brambles & Briars, Plum Guide home in Devon
A seamless mix of old and new, this two-bedroom cottage blends period charm with contemporary furnishings. Inside, you’ll find plush sofas and chic light fittings amongst the exposed stonework and striking black wooden beams. The kitchen, with its breakfast bar, offers ample space for cooking delicious meals, while the lounge is ideal for catching up over a glass of wine. But it’s the cottage’s outdoor space which is the real highlight. After a day of walking, soak your aching muscles in the hot tub while listening to the tranquil sounds of the babbling brook that runs through the garden. There’s also a little summer house if you need to retreat to the shade.
Rock House Cottage
Rock House Cottage, Plum Guide home in Devon
This pretty thatched cottage is like something out of a storybook. Tucked away in a quiet corner of Dartmoor National Park and just under a half-hour drive from Exeter, the cottage is a peaceful sanctuary to come home to after a day of exploring. We love the elegant yet homely interiors, which are just the right size for four people and a well-behaved dog to unwind. Rustle up delicious meals in the country-style kitchen before retiring to the lounge for a movie night by the fire. If you fancy disconnecting from the screens, there are board games and books, too. When you start to feel all warm and cosy, head upstairs and choose from the two comfy bedrooms, both offering serene views of the garden and surrounding countryside.
Earth & Fire
Earth & Fire, Plum Guide home in Devon
This 500-year-old cottage oozes history. Just step inside and you’ll discover why it’s one of our favourite dog-friendly cottages in Devon. Its wooden beams, narrow doorways and original fireplaces are a nod to its past, while the high-spec kitchen and bar add a little bit of 21st-century luxury. There are six bedrooms, each with their own charm and character, but anyone lucky enough to bag the main bedroom can enjoy long soaks in the freestanding tub. Outside, there’s ample space for children and four-legged friends to run around, while adults can get competitive on the boules court. If you’d rather go sightseeing, you’re just a twenty-four-minute drive from Exeter, or a twelve-minute drive from the spectacular Canonteign Falls.
River Gorge Cottage
River Gorge Cottage, Plum Guide home in Devon
With one double bedroom and the other with bunk beds, this lovely white-washed cottage is the best choice for a small family holiday. It’s located down a small lane with no through access, so you’re guaranteed peace and quiet. Start your day with breakfast on the terrace, while your pawed companion runs around in the garden. Over coffee, decide what to do for the day – Exmoor National Park is a ten-minute drive away, while the villages of Lynton and Lynmouth are seventeen minutes on foot. If you’re here to surf, Woolacombe and Croyde are less than an hour’s drive. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll love coming home to the warm and inviting living room. Chuck some wood into the log burner and enjoy television or board games before bed.
Sea Of Tranquility
Sea of Tranquility, Plum Guide home in Devon
It wouldn’t be a holiday in Devon without a quaint seaside cottage, and this charming home doesn’t disappoint. Situated in Torcross, we’re not exaggerating when we say the beach is on your doorstep – you can roll out of bed and be in the sea in less than a minute. The home is a calming retreat for when you need to escape the sun – the Juliet balconies mean you can throw open the windows and enjoy a fresh breeze at any time, even when you’re napping on the sofa or reading on the sea-facing window seats. Although it’ll be difficult to drag yourself away from the sand, if you do feel like an exciting day out, take a twenty-four-minute drive to Dartmouth to discover its castle and ride the steam railway.
