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· £400 the
average spend on kennels – the cost of a self-catering break
· Over
half (55 per cent) of UK dog owners have cancelled their break because
of their pooch
· Welcome
Cottages teams up with Corrie canine, Ozzy, to launch top 10 dog
holidays
Despite claiming to be a nation
of pet lovers, when it comes to holidays, it appears 55 per cent of us
don't think our pooches deserve a break. But, new research by Welcome
Cottages reveals the true cost Brits pay by leaving their beloved
companions behind.
A fifth of holidaymakers add a
whopping £400* to the cost of their holiday by putting their dog in a
kennel. Yet over half (58 per cent) admit they can’t relax because they
are constantly worrying about their pet, with 46 per cent even spending
up to £100 on daily phone calls to check they are okay.
According to the survey of 1,000
pet owners by Welcome Cottages, which has over 1,200 properties across
the UK where pets stay free , the biggest concern for 81 per cent is
that their four legged friend will be neglected, scared or fall ill,
with men proving to be the biggest worriers (71 per cent) . This pooch
panic has even led to 55 per cent cancelling their well earned break and
a fifth admit they now take shorter holidays for fear of leaving Fido
for too long.
Surprisingly only ten per cent
of UK dog owners take a break with their canine companions. The
majority (40 per cent) rely on family and friends to look after them
while they are away, with a third leaving their pets home alone, asking
their neighbours to check up on them.
Geoff Cowley, Managing Director
of Welcome Cottages, said: “Dogs are man’s best friend, but it seems not
on holiday! It appears from our research that worry over their pooch is
preventing people from having a relaxing break. But having a pet
shouldn’t stop people from enjoying a well earned rest. We offer over
1,200 dog-friendly cottages in some of the most stunning locations in
the UK, providing a home from home for a perfect pet getaway.”
To ensure booking your pet
friendly break is as easy as possible, Welcome Cottages has teamed up
with Corrie canine, Ozzy, to launch a special ‘woof guide’ to holidaying
with your dog. Visit
www.welcomecottages.com for top tips on the best places to go and
what to pack for a pet mini-break, plus a special report from Ozzy on
his own recent cottage break in Derbyshire.
Clarissa Baldwin, Chief
Executive of Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest canine welfare charity,
commented, “Dogs love a change of scenery and with the falling value of
the pound, many holidaymakers are choosing to stay in the UK this year,
meaning there is no excuse not to give your pet a holiday too.”
Clarissa continues: “Of those
that do holiday with their pets, there are lots of dog friendly
activities, pubs, places to visit and countryside walks you can do when
holidaying with your dog, which means everyone is happy including
Fido.”
Research compiled by Dogs Trust
on dog friendly UK breaks found that the top ten destinations for dog
friendly breaks were:
1. Lake District & National
Park
2. North Wales &
Snowdonia
3. Norfolk North
coast
4.
Northumberland
5. North & South Cornwall (joint
with Dorset)
6. Cumbria & Eden
Valley
7. North Yorkshire
coast
8. South Wales &
Pembrokeshire
9. Scotland – Ayr, Dumfries,
Galloway
10. North
Devon
For more information or to book
a pet friendly holiday, please visit
www.welcomecottages.com or call 0845 268 1793.
For those who love dogs,
but don’t have their own, why not volunteer to be a dog walker at one of
the Dogs Trusts 17 Rehoming Centres around the UK? For more
information, please visit the Dogs Trust website at
www.dogstrust.org.uk
Packages:
Lake District
Low Whineray Ground
Ulpha, near Broughton-in-Furness
Reference: 16612
This detached 16th-century,
listed farmhouse, set back from the road, down a quarter mile unmade
farm track, is situated in Wordsworth’s favourite valley. With its
original cruck beams and flagged floors each room is full of character.
The views are uninterrupted over its land down to the River Duddon,
where you can bathe in the rock pools or picnic on the banks. The Duddon
Valley provides endless walking country and a haven of peace and quiet
in an AONB. Shops and pub 2 miles.
Price: £561.98 for seven nights
self catering, starting on 8th May, sleeps six.
North Wales
Eifionydd
Chwilog, near Pwllheli
Reference: B6453
In an outstanding position
between the Snowdonia National Park and the beaches of the Lleyn
Peninsula, these holiday cottages are surrounded by fields on the
owners’ working farm. There are lovely views of the mountains and the
beach is only 10 minutes’ walk away through the field, making this a
wonderful base for your holiday. On site there is an indoor swimming
pool (11m x 5m, depth 1m throughout, available 10am - 6pm all year),
games room with pool table, table tennis and darts, a children’s play
area with swings, slide, climbing frame, sand-pit and toys, as well as a
farm trail and pony trekking to be enjoyed (Easter to October, weather
permitting). This lovely area is renowned for its good walking and
wealth of natural flora and fauna. Come here in any season, whether you
want to enjoy a fun-filled and busy holiday, or come to a place where
you can relax, unwind, and recharge your batteries. Shop, PO and pub 1
mile.
Price: £445.98 for seven nights
self catering, starting on 8th May, sleeps eight.
North Norfolk Coast
Chapel Cottage
Docking, nr. Brancaster
reference: W7508
This traditional brick and flint
terraced cottage with open fire is peacefully tucked away in the
village. Just 5 miles south of Brancaster on the beautiful north coast
and 7 miles west of Hunstanton, with its comprehensive resort
attractions to suit all ages. Docking is surrounded by unspoilt
countryside perfect for walking or cycling with playing field, tennis
courts and fishing lake within walking distance of the holiday cottage.
Price: £464.98 for seven nights
self catering, starting on 13th June, sleeps four.
Yorkshire Dales
The Farmhouse
Hawes
Reference: W2417
A superior semi-detached
farmhouse offering spacious, quality accommodation on the outskirts of
the bustling market town of Hawes. Situated in an idyllic position with
panoramic views of the unspoilt countryside and only 5 minute walk into
the village with its numerous antique shops, displaying by local crafts
people, countryside museums and its many tea shops and restaurants.
Shop, pub and restaurant 0.5 miles.
Price: £318.98 for seven nights
self catering, starting on 2nd May, sleeps seven-eight
Northumberland
Stable Cottage
Warkworth
Reference: 17924
This charming cottage has been
refurbished and is situated in the centre of Warkworth. Benefiting from
ground floor accommodation with spacious rooms, this really is an ideal
holiday home. The beautiful village of Warkworth is dominated by its
majestic castle. The magnificent coastline provides over 20 miles of
golden sands, rocky outcrops and rolling dunes, making this an ideal
environment for exhilarating coastal walks. Warkworth village offers
superb eating establishments and specialist shops. Shops and pubs 20
yards.
Price: £385.98 for seven nights
self catering, starting on 29th August, sleeps three
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