Dog Friendly
Cottages Somerset
A Holiday Where Your Dogs
Are Truly Welcome
Dogs Most Welcome, Children Tolerated and Well Behaved Adults May Accompany!
Your dogs are part of the family, so we believe they deserve a holiday where they feel just as welcome as you do.
At our Quantock Cottages, dogs are at the heart of everything we do.
We’ve created our cottages with them in mind, with 6ft enclosed gardens, private exercise fields and plenty of space to relax, explore and enjoy being away together.
We’re especially suited to nervous, anxious, reactive, large and XL dogs who can find traditional dog-friendly holidays a little harder.
What Makes Our Cottages Truly
Dog-Friendly?
Simon and I moved to Somerset 16 years ago with a simple aim: to create the kind of luxury dog-friendly holiday we couldn’t find ourselves.
We wanted safe and secure spaces for our dogs to run free, great walks from the door and the coast close by.
Since 2011, we’ve welcomed hundreds of two- and four-legged guests.
With a 75% return guest rate and year-round occupancy of circa 98%, it seems we’ve created what we set out to — a place where both dogs and their humans can truly relax and enjoy a special holiday together.
As dog owners ourselves, Simon and I know how important it is to have a safe, secure garden where one can relax and know the dogs are happy. Therefore our gardens are:
Private & quiet
Fenced to 6ft
Purpose built fencing to keep your dogs safe
We have 3 Private, Sole Use enclosed dog exercise fields.
These fields are ONLY for the use of guests staying with us. They are NOT open to the general public.
3 private dog fields fenced to 6ft
2 fields have agility courses
A secure 2 acre wood
You will always have sole use of a field/wood
We offer a safe place for nervous & reactive dogs.
We designed our gardens and dog parks around their needs.
Your enclosed garden gives your dogs private outdoor space.
Our secure dog fields allows y ourdogs to have off lead time without putting them into a bcusy commercial environment.
Your garden backs on to 9,000 acres of AONB heath which is very quiet. It is a rarity to see anyone else on the hills.
We adore all dogs and welcome them with open paws and open hearts.
So if you have any of the following we are the place to stay!
Very tiny dogs
Very large dogs
Every size in between dog
Every breed
Exempted XL's & BSL's
Your dogs are family, like you they are welcome throughout your cottage.
If they like to be on the furniture not a problem.
For sofa hounds just bring some large covers with you
For the bed hogger woofers all we ask is can you bring your own linen
For mud loving hounds we have hot and cold showers & doggie hair dryers
"We've holidayed in many so-called "dog friendly" cottages, but hands down by a long shot yours are far the best. The cottage is beautiful and the facilities for the dogs are amazing" Sarah, Ben, Steff and the naughty Beagles
Why Our Quantock Cottages Are Different
From Other Cottages
A dog-friendly holiday shouldn't mean compromising on luxury. Your stay with us will be very comfortable we have:
Beautiful cottages
Covered hot tubs
Open fires
Bespoke furnishings
Unique woodlang glamping retreat
Your dogs will be blissfully happy as we know this is really their holiday!
We have for them many lovely things to enjoy including:
6ft fenced enclosed gardens
3 on-site secure dog exercise fields
Lots of space for them to run and scamper
A secure 2 acre wood for them sniff, scent and explore to their little hearts content
Our 3 unique cottages & our woodland glamping retreat are set within the privacy, space & exclusivity of our Country Estate
Enjoy your own privacy and space
Explore thousands of acres of AONB heathland right at the end of your garden
You and your dogs can be at one with nature & serenity
Enjoy the perks of a boutique hotel but with the privacy, style and space that a country cottage with secure dog exercise fields allow
Have a private chef come cook for you
Enjoy delicious home cooked food delivered to your accomodation
Partake in a in-cottage massage or beauty treatment
Being owners of mud and sand loving dogs not to mention them being double coated we know how essential it is to have doggo washing and drying facilites. Each of our boutique cottages have hot and cold doggie showers, a drying bench and a doggie hair dryer.
For doggo guests staying in La Caravane, our enclosed woodland glamping retreat we have an outside hose shower
Did you know that Somerset has got the most dog friendly beaches of any county in the whole of the UK - how mega is that!
Our nearest beach is Kilve, which is just 1.5 miles away. It is a pebbly beach but much fun can be had hunting for fossils and there are glorious walks along the cliff tops.
The nearest sandy beaches of Blue Anchor and Dunster are only a short drive away.
With 9'000 acres of stunning Quantok Hills AONB at the end of your garden you will never be short of walks.
The Quantock's are made up of glorious open moorland which have steep stream-laced wooded coombes and colourful heathland.
As this is such a hidden gem of an area when you are out on the hills it will be a rarity if you see anyone else - which makes it ideal for those with reactive or nervous dogs.
If you need to save space in your car or feed raw there are 2 local pet shops who will deliver direct to your cottage for your arrival day.
When you book your break with us we will send you a link to our App which has all the details of of the pet shops, dog sitter etc on so you can make arrangements direct with them.
Not surprisingly, this is the question that Simon & I get asked the most! It's also one of the hardest questions because each situation, each doggo is unique and has different needs, as do each of their hoomans!
Our Design Thought And Process For Dogs, Cottages & Gardens:
As said above, we designed and built all 3 of our cottages and our La Caravane Enclosed Woodland glamping retreat around the needs of dogs and then we figured we better make them super comfortable for hooman guests as well!
For the safety and privacy of our dog guests the gardens in each property are fenced to 6ft with a mix of close board/bark and backed by stock-fencing.
Each cottage garden has mature planting in front of the 6ft fencing which adds to the private feel of the garden.
What Can Your Dogs See From Each Cottage Garden:
For Coleridge & Greenway:
From the main patio garden and the upper garden your dogs should not be able to see anything (unless they bring a set of step ladders!!) But from the east garden (which has a 6ft gate so you can keep them in the main garden if you want to, we have dropped the garden fencing to circa 4ft so that you the "lead holder!" can enjoy the glorious sea views.
For The Quantock Hide:
This property has the largest garden and it is set over 3 levels. It has a beautiful courtyard garden with glorious sub-tropical plants. The middle level has the covered hot tub and the upper level is a wildflower meadow.
From the lower 2 levels of the garden your dogs should not be able to see anything.
The top end of your wild flower meadow is fenced with 6ft deer mesh so they may see on the odd occasion Simon and I or the guests staying in La Caravane walking down the short track. BUT if you don't want them to be able to see anyone, you can shut the 6ft gate that leads up the steps to the wildflower meadow - Don't worry there is masses of room for them on the lower levels to scamper!.
For La Caravane Enclosed Woodland Glamping Retreat
Having driven into your enclosed woodland retreat and shut the 6ft gate your dogs should not be able to see anything. The whole enclosure is bark fenced, backed up with stock proof fencing for additional security.
In your "front garden" the lower level of the fence is a log wall to circa 4ft and behind AND above that to 6ft is specialist deer mesh as we want you to be able to enjoy the woodland coastal views.
The Surrounding Countryside:
We are set high on the Quantock Hills and we are surrounded by stunning countryside, so in general it is a peaceful rural and quiet area.
For Very Reactive Dogs:
If you have a hyper reactive dog/s then we would suggest that you look at The Quantock Hide Cottage. It is set away from the other properties and is approached via its own woodland drive.
A more budget friendly option to the Quantock Hide, is our La Caravane, our lovely enclosed woodland glamping retreat. It too is approached via its own dedicated driveway and once inside your enclosed space your woofer won't have to see anyone else.
Best For Elderly Dogs Or Those Who Struggle With Steps/Stairs:
In this instance we would suggest Coleridge or Greenway as both are set over one level and Central Bark and Mini Bark are just across the small country lane. Do please note that Greenway does have 5 garden steps that need to be navigated - but if you think this might be a problem, let us know as there is a work-around.
La Caravane is the other option as it only has two small steps to get inside. Our elderly GSD is very comfortable managing these 2 small steps.
Livestock On Our Estate:
On our country estate where the properties are located we only have 2 horses. We do not have any other farm animals. Our horses will obviously not be in any fields where your dogs are. From time to time we may ask that they be able to eat down Central Bark but this will only be over night and we would arrange with you in advance. We do of course have 2 other secure enclosed doggie exercise fields.
Livestock On The Quantock Hills:
One of the many joys of the AONB Quantock Hills open heathland is the abundance of wildlife from birds of prey hovering on the thermals, to the odd group of wild ponies to the herds of red deer and the sheep. Given that there are so many wonderful smells on the heath, If you are not sure about your woofers recall we would highly recommend a long line.
What Your Dogs Can See When They Are In The Secure Dog Exercise Fields:
From Central Bark & Mini Bark you and your dogs can enjoy the most wonderful coastal and country views.
These Bark Parks although very well fenced are next to each other. Below them is the main field where our 2 quiet elderly horses graze. They are very used to dogs and they don't mind being barked at all!
If your dogs are worried by the horses you have the "Woodland Scent Zone" which is our 2 acre enclosed wood and the horses won't be there. If you did want to use either of the other bark parks as well during your stay, just let us know and we can work around moving the horses for you.
From The Woodland Scent Zone, your dogs can see very little as its in a wood. At the top end behind the fence and a bank there is a track that our 2 neighbours use to get to their houses. Again unless your dogs are extremely tall or bring their own set of step ladders they wont be able to see the track.
What We are Not:
If you are looking for that country place that is totally off grid that is in the middle of nowhere, with not another property for miles around and where you/your dogs will not be able to see or hear another living animal be it a bird, a squirrel or a bunny - then we are not the place for you as on our quiet country estate we have all of the aforementioned!
What We Are:
Simon & I are passionate about dogs and passionate about providing what we call, good old fashion hospitality and also something a little bit extra and a little bit special.
Here we provide a sanctuary, a retreat from the everyday worries so our guests both K9 & human can spend that all important and precious holiday time together, in a home-from-home environment and create those special memories.
The reason we moved to Somerset is, there is a rule is if you DON'T have a dog then you're not welcome and one can't argue with that!
Stop!
Yes, We Know It's All About The dogs
But actually, which of our cottages best suits your needs
as well?
Your dogs holiday starts here. Choose your perfect retreat
The Quantock Hide: Romantic luxury for couples & small families
Coleridge: Single-storey comfort with ground-floor bedrooms
Greenway: Beautiful countryside and coastal views
La Caravane: Luxury enclosed woodland glamping
Simon and I are so fortunate as we get to welcome "home" so many returning guests — often several times a year (their dogs wouldn’t have it any other way).
The majority of our bookings come through word of mouth, which we’re incredibly proud of and so thankful to guests who help spread the word.
We believe true luxury isn’t about excess — it’s about space, privacy, beautiful surroundings, and time together with both your two and four-legged family.
Come and discover our Quantock Cottages: luxury dog-friendly escapes in the heart of Somerset. We can’t wait to welcome you and share this hidden gem with fellow dog lovers.
Don't just take our word for how lovely our cottages.
Do see for yourself what some of our guests have been kind enough to say about the cottages
"Quantock Cottages are in a league of their own! With two escape-artist dachshunds and a Saluki who can clear most fences, the secure garden and dog fields meant we could finally relax while the dogs had the time of their lives.
Emma & Simon’s hospitality is second to none. We’ve already booked another stay this year and 2 next year!
Sarah & John, July 2026
See What Suzie had to say about our doggo facilities
As you will be able to hear her little furry people had lots to say!
We are very lucky; we do tend to get booked quite far in advance, as not only do many of our guests come back year-on-year, but they often come several times a year - their dogs insist on it!
Three beautiful cottages and an enclosed woodland glamping retreat, each with its own character, private enclosed garden and space for you and your dog to properly switch off.
For your dogs we have 3 secure dog exercise fields. Each cottage garden and our woodland glamping retreat has 6ft fenced gardens and they back on to 9,000 acres of Quantock AONB perfect for walkies.