Pembrokeshire perfect for the family and dog

FOR a dog-owner, even the most exciting holiday plans can be dampened by the thought of having to leave your faithful friend behind. It can also be costly and complicated to organise adequate pet care during the holiday period.

It is hardly surprising then that UK companies are reporting a boom in the number of holidaymakers choosing to take their dog away with them. For example, Hoseasons, which carries one million holidaymakers each year, booked 30,000 pets on holidays with their owners in 2003.

Ever since we acquired our collie-cross Noddy two years ago, our children, Alex, 11, Anoushka, 10, and Joshua, 4, have been nagging us to take her with us on holiday.

Although pets can now go to Europe without going through the miserable process of quarantine, it was actually a leaflet I came across from Pembrokeshire called A Guide to Holidays with Your Best Friend that finally encouraged us to take the plunge in Britain.

Pembrokeshire claims to be an ideal choice for dog-owners. Not only are there 186 miles of breathtaking coastal scenery to explore, but most attractions and many hotels, guesthouses and self-catering cottages happily accept dogs.

We chose Celtic Haven, a five-star holiday village in Lydstep about 5km (3 miles) outside Tenby on the south Pembrokeshire coast. It was created from a traditional turkey farm, parts of which date back 800 years, and with 26 whitewashed houses, it looked as if it would suit everyone’s needs.

There was easy access for dog-walking on beaches and coastal paths, and plenty on site for the children including a playground, tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, plus a bistro, bar and a spa to pamper tired parents and chief dog walkers.

An added bonus for children and dogs is that Celtic Haven is also car-free. There is only a minimal charge (£10) for bringing a dog, and just a few simple rules: keep them on the lead in the village and golf course and do not allow them on the furniture.

Although it was nearly a five-hour drive, Noddy turned out to be a good car passenger. The car was packed higher than usual with her basket, toys and a week’s supply of dog food piled on top of the usual paraphernalia needed with three children in tow.

So we were all glad to stretch our legs on arrival. A ten-minute stroll down a couple of quiet country lanes gave access to mile upon mile of coastal paths with stunning views of cliffs and sea.

Pembrokeshire is often described as Cornwall without the crowds and we rarely bumped into more than a handful of other walkers on each outing, and soon discovered some wonderfully deserted beaches and secluded coves.

There is dog-owner etiquette to follow of course, such as always clearing away mess (bags and bins provided on many of the beaches). Dogs also need to be kept on a lead when near cliffs and farm animals. Both the dog and the children soon got used to the three giant black bulls that we walked warily past every night on the coastal path near the village.

There were quite a few stiles to contend with and though it was easy enough for the kids to scramble over, Noddy had to be lifted — although Pembrokeshire has now begun introducing dog gates to many of the 500 stiles.

It was our first family walk on Freshwater East beach (15 minutes’ drive from Lydstep) that convinced me of Pembrokeshire’s appeal for dog-owners. It was a warm but overcast day and we soon found ourselves all running around on this huge expanse of sand playing with the dog in the surf.

“It was a great idea to bring her,” said my husband Stuart breathlessly. “We never would have had so much exercise otherwise.” The holiday was certainly more active with the dog in tow. I cannot imagine we would otherwise have walked at 8am as we did most mornings, even in the drizzle. The children gained immense pleasure through the dog’s enjoyment, which had a rippling effect all round.

There are more than 50 beaches in Pembrokeshire, about 40 of which allow dogs on even in summer. One of our favourites was the cove at Barafundle, only accessible by footpath, about half a milefrom Stackpole Quay, one of the smallest harbours on this coast with barely enough room for two boats.

The Boathouse Tearoom here proved an excellent place for lunch, with fresh crab sandwiches and giant plates of prawns washed down with elderflower drinks. We also enjoyed a slightly longer and more challenging walk around the cliff tops from Manorbier to Swanlake Bay.

Our final day was spent at Bosherton where children and Noddy filed over the narrow bridges that crossed the beautifully landscaped lily ponds on the way to Broadhaven South Beach — another delightful sheltered expanse of sand.

It proved easy taking a dog around with us in Pembrokeshire. Although we never put it to the test, the local bus service claimed to take “friendly dogs”. Our dog was welcomed wherever we went, with water bowls outside tearooms and restaurants. We even took her on the lead to the medieval Pembroke Castle as well as to watch the children try out baseball, golf, target shooting and archery at Heatherton Sports Centre near Tenby. We took the boat across from there to Caldey Island, home to Cistercian monks who produce perfume and observe strict rules of silence.

Although Noddy was not at all happy to be lifted aboard the 50-seater open boat for the 20-minute crossing, she was soon rewarded with a long run on the glorious sandy Priory Beach at the other end and then a mile’s walk up past the island tearoom to the lighthouse.

Our eleven-year-old, who is renowned for spending time glued to Playstation, announced what a brilliant holiday it had been and how taking the dog with us had made it that extra bit special. It will certainly be sad to ever pack the car up to go away without her again.

SUMMER BEACHES FOR DOGS

Isle of Wight

The island has more than 25 miles of beaches, mostly sandy and open to dogs outside summer months. In high season the best ones are Alum Bay, Yarmouth, Bonchurch, Brook and St Helens. Wightlink Holidays (0870 5820202, www.wightlink.co.uk) features more than 40 dog-friendly hotels and self-catering properties; dogs are carried free on ferry crossings.

Scotland

Scotland has plenty of uncrowded beaches to exercise your dog, such as Southend Beaches in Carradale on the Kintyre Peninsula. There is also a two-mile stretch on Aberdeen Beach or desert-size dunes at Forvie near Newburgh. Details: 0845 2255121, www.visitscotland.com.

Yorkshire

There is no shortage of beaches to take Rover, even in summer. Danes’ Dyke beach (south of Flamborough Head) and is suitable for dogs all year, offering various walks around the Heritage Coast. Cayton Bay (off the A165 between Filey and Scarborough) is a small, quiet sandy bay backed by cliffs. Details: 08706 090 000, www.yorkshirevisitor.com.

North Cornwall

There are ten dog-friendly beaches without summer restrictions ranging from lively resort beaches such as Bude’s Summerleaze, with its tidal swimming pool, to the wide-open bays of Widemouth, Harlyn and Porthcothan Bay. Details: 01271 336072, www.northcornwall-live.com.

NEED TO KNOW

Tania Alexander and family travelled to Celtic Haven Resort with Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire (01437 765765, www.coastalcottages.co.uk). A cottage for a family of four costs £296-£671 a week. Dogs, £10 a week.

Further information: Visit Pembrokeshire (08705 103103, www.visitpembroke shire.co.uk). For a free copy of the Pembrokeshire guide, Holidays with Your Best Friend, call 01646 682278.

BROUGHT TO BOOK

VisitBritain has brought out a holiday guide in its Enjoy England series aimed at pet owners and families. Families and Pets Welcome (£11.99) is for anyone travelling with their pet or children or both.

The guide lists contact details by region, accommodation where pets and children are welcomed along with ideas for days out. The telephone numbers of local Tourist Information Centres are also included in case you require more information plus maps and tips for travelling with your entourage.