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Becca Talbot

@alwaysdogfriendly

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🐕 Sharing the UK's best dog-friendly spots | 🏕 Off-grid stays & muddy paws | 📧 [email protected] for collabs | 🐶 Mum to @olive_and_errol

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🌿🐶 The perfect place to hide away with your four-legged besties! 🏡🐾

Looking for a luxurious dog-friendly getaway in Cornwall? Meet Ginger Hideaway! 🧡🌿 A countryside cabin near Mawgan Porth, with an outdoor bathtub, incredible sunsets and even a dedicated field for the dogs! 😍🐕

We stayed here with @olive_and_errol over August bank holiday 2023 (Errol was just 7 months old 🥹). But despite the VERY British weather (SO much rain 😂🌧️), it was a brilliant place to hide away! Spacious, beautifully furnished and well equipped, with a cosy log burner, open-plan living area and separate utility room — an absolute GODSEND for muddy dog walks! 🙌🏻🐾

Outside, there's a private terrace with comfy seating, a BBQ and outdoor log burner, plus those STUNNING countryside sunsets when the weather plays ball! 🌅😍 There's also an enclosed patio and dedicated dog exercise field, so the four-legged guests are well catered for, too.

We brought our own throws to protect the sofa and bed, and Olive and Errol wasted absolutely no time making themselves at home 😂 Meanwhile, we had a super-king bed and outdoor bathtub to enjoy. Not a bad arrangement, really! 🛁🐶

So, if you're planning a dog-friendly getaway to Cornwall, here are the deets you need! 👇🏼

•📍 Ginger Hideaway, near Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
• 🐶 Up to 2 dogs welcome
• 🌿 Enclosed patio and dedicated dog exercise field
• 🏡 Spacious, open-plan cabin with a super-king bed
• 🔥 Indoor and outdoor log burners, BBQ, outdoor bathtub and washing machine
• 🌐 Booked via @uniquehideaways

A little heads-up if you've got an escape artist: although the patio is enclosed, it's worth checking the fencing around the wider exercise field before letting your dog off-lead. And because our stay was back in 2023, do double-check the latest facilities and dog policies before booking!

Honestly, this is exactly the sort of dog-friendly accommodation we LOVE finding — somewhere that feels like a treat for us, but where the dogs are genuinely welcome too 🙏🏻🐾 Would you book somewhere like this with your dogs? 👀🏡

#DogFriendlyCornwall #CornwallWithDogs #DogFriendlyAccommodation #DogFriendlyUK #AlwaysDogFriendly taken in Mawgan Porth by @alwaysdogfriendly

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6 days ago

🌧🐕 Rain, rain, go away, come again another day! 🐕🌧

Notice I didn't post much over the weekend? Well, in all honestly, my birthday glamping trip was a bit of wash out 😔 though we had a great day at the beach on the Friday, it rained heavily for most of Saturday. This thwarted our plan to take the pups on a long hike before leaving them in the car to doze while we mooched around some cute villages. Instead we had 2 damp dogs, cooped up with us in a small cabin, itching to get out and play 🌧🥺

Despite the glamping site saying it was dog-friendly and well-equipped for dogs, it really wasnt 👎The cabin didn't have a private enclosed garden area, so we had to keep a constant eye on @olive_and_errol, to make sure they weren't up to any mischief. There was also nothing separating us from the neighbouring cabin and their equally energetic pooch, Gally 🐕 we just found it impossible to relax.

When we did finally get the dogs to calm down and come inside, we shut the double doors and tried to make the most of it - with some competitive board game action and a spread of local cheeses from a nearby farm shop 🧀🎲 but the cabin really wasn't set up for muggy, summer heat either... With the double doors closed, the cabin became a greenhouse, with big panes of glass and no airflow through the building 🥵

Sadly, although the cabin looked beautiful, and a lot of thought and attention had gone into the aesthetics, we were left bitterly disappointed (and with sore heads from the heat 🤕). Especially having paid such a hefty price tag for the negative experience 😔

Oh well, you live and learn! We've got another glamping trip planned in August - so fingers crossed that one is a bit more enjoyable!

#alwayscarryon #photosofbritain #excellent_britain #ukpotd #staycationuk #uniquestays #uniqueairbnb #airbnbtravel #airbnbhomes #Airbnb #airbnbplus #airbnb_inspiration #airbnblife #airbnbsuperhost #airbnblove #airbnbuk #glamping #glampinguk #campinguk #glampingnotcamping #treehouse #placetostay #stayhere #placestostay #sustainablestays #whereyouoffto #cosyvibes #canopyandstars #rainydays #dogfriendlyuk taken in Mitcheldean by @alwaysdogfriendly

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3 years ago

🎃🐶 Other dogs watch squirrels... ours watches slasher films 🔪🍿

We're fully embracing cosy autumn evenings, spooky season and horror movie marathons on the sofa 🍂👻 And given how much we LOVE a good horror film, it was probably inevitable that Olive would develop a taste for them too 😂

Judging by how invested she was in the original Friday the 13th, cuddling her monkey for emotional support, I think we've officially raised a little horror movie enthusiast 🙈🐒

Just hoping nobody reports us to an animal psychologist for letting our dog watch slasher films... 😂💀

Please tell me we're not the only ones whose dogs actually WATCH the TV?! 👀📺

#DogsOfInstagram #FunnyDogs #DogsWatchingTV #SpookySeason #AlwaysDogFriendly taken in Reading, England by @alwaysdogfriendly

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8 days ago

💩🍂 Nothing tests a dog owner quite like poop in autumn leaves 😂🐕

This weekend’s 13km hike around the Chilterns came with gorgeous autumn sunshine, beautiful countryside… and a LOT of “business” from Olive, Errol and their pal Bodhi 💩😂

For context, we taught @olive_and_errol that “business” means going for a poop — and you best believe they do a LOT of business 😂 Particularly Mr I-need-3-shits-before-I'm-properly-awake-in-the-morning Errol 🙃🙈

Obviously, wherever they decide to do their business, it’s our job to pick it up - but when you’re hiking out in the countryside, bins can be few and far between 🗑🚫 And of course, Errol did his first poop about 1km into our walk, meaning we had another 12km to carry it before we eventually found a bin.

Which brings me to the @dickybag 🎒 NOT an ad, NOT gifted, just a genuinely handy bit of dog-walking gear that I think more dog owners should know about! 👇🏼 here's a bit more info:

• 💩 Zip-up pouch that holds used, tied poop bags AND a full roll of clean bags
• 💦 100% waterproof neoprene with an odour-proof design
• 🎒 Carabiner clips onto your lead, belt or backpack
• 📏 Available in five sizes, from XS to XL
• 💷 Priced from £29
• 🧼 Machine washable at 30°C then air dried
• 🇬🇧 Handmade in Cornwall

I’ll admit, I laughed when Simon first bought ours because I thought a dedicated bag for carrying bags of shit was a little ridiculous 😂 But after several long hikes with no bins in sight, I’ve very much changed my mind!

By the end of this walk, ours was carrying contributions from all 3 dogs — without us having to carry poop bags by hand or smell them for miles 🤢

It might not solve the autumn game of "Where’s Wally?" when you’re trying to find the bloody poop in the first place… but once you’ve found it, at least you’ve got somewhere to put it 😂💩

So if you’re heading out on a longer dog-friendly walk, pack plenty of poop bags, never assume there’ll be bins along the route, and have a plan for carrying the full ones until you find one! 🐕🥾

#DogFriendlyUK #HikingWithDogs #DogWalkingUK #Dog taken in Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by @alwaysdogfriendly

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11 days ago

🍂🍁 Fall vibes 🍂🍁

#Olive_and_Errol #australianshepherd #aussie #aussiesdoingthings #aussies #aussieshepherd #aussiepuppy #bluemerleaustralianshepherd #australianshepherdlove #australianshepherdsofinstagram #tricoloraussie #blacktriaussie #dogsofinstagram #puppiesofinstagram #puppy #dog #dogsofinsta #pup #instapup #instapuppies #doglife #puppylove #puppygrams #dogoftheday #dogsofinstaworld #dogsdoingthings #cutenessoverload #sassypants taken in West Reading, Berkshire by @alwaysdogfriendly

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2 years ago

🐶🏚️ Looking for a dog-friendly hidden gem in the Peak District? Save this one! 📌🐾

Throw-ing it WAY back to our visit to Throwley Old Hall, hidden away in Staffordshire's gorgeous Manifold Valley 🌳🏞 We actually explored this spot when Olive was just 13 weeks old, so these photos are a serious throwback 🥹🐶

Throwley Old Hall is the remains of an early 16th-century manor house, with original windows, fireplaces and doorways still visible amongst the ruins 🏚️📖 You can wander through the remains and get a proper look at more than 500 years of history.

And while Olive obviously couldn't have cared less about 500 years of history 😂, she had an absolute blast exploring with us... although stopping a 13-week-old puppy from hoovering up every piece of sheep poo she could find was significantly harder than appreciating the architecture 🙃🐑💩

The Hall sits amongst beautiful Peak District countryside, so rather than making the ruins your entire day out, we'd definitely recommend incorporating them into a bigger walk around the Manifold Valley 🥾🌳 Just remember that Throwley Hall Farm is a working farm, so you'll likely encounter livestock along the way. Keep your pup under control, give animals plenty of space and pop dogs on lead whenever you're around sheep or cattle 🐶🐏

So, if you're planning to explore Throwley Old Hall with your pup, here are the deets you need 👇🏼

• 📍 Throwley Old Hall, Staffordshire, DE6 2BB
• 🏚️ 16th-century manor house ruins in the Manifold Valley
• 🐾 Dogs can join you on the surrounding countryside walks
• 🐑 Working farm with sheep and cattle
• 🦮 Keep dogs on lead around livestock
• 🥾 Plenty of hikes nearby — make a proper walk of it!
• 🅿️ No dedicated visitor car park or facilities - so plan ahead
• 👟 Rural paths + uneven ground, so sensible shoes recommended

🏚️ Historic ruins + Peak District views + a gorgeous countryside walk = pawfect dog day out! 🐾

📌 Save this one for your next dog-friendly Peak District adventure! by @alwaysdogfriendly

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16 days ago

🐕🌊 Looking for a Wheal-y easy dog walk with coastal views & Cornish history? This one's for you... 🐾🥾

If you’re exploring west Cornwall with dogs, Wheal Coates is worth adding to your list. Sat just outside St Agnes, this former tin mine is perched dramatically above the Atlantic and links straight onto the SW Coast Path 🏞️🌊 It’s open access, free to visit, and dogs are welcome all year round 🐶

Wheal Coates is one of the most photographed engine houses in Cornwall 📸 and part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. Mining here dates back to the 1800s, with the Towanroath engine house (the one you’ll recognise from most photos) built in 1872. The mine finally closed in the early 1900s when tin prices dropped and it was no longer viable to operate ⛏️

It’s one of those places that looks impressive from a distance – and even better up close. The engine houses are iconic, the coastline is wild, and yes… one of the buildings definitely has a face 😳 Two window “eyes” and a dark doorway “mouth” – once you see it, you can’t unsee it 👀⛏️

Here are a few things to know before you go ⬇️

• 📍 Wheal Coates, St Agnes, Cornwall
🚗 Park at Chapel Porth National Trust car park (TR5 0NS) – pay & display. It’s free for National Trust members, otherwise charged by the hour (around £2–£5 depending on length of stay). It can be busy in peak season, so arrive early if you can
• 🥾 Easy route, wide paths, gravelly underfoot
• ⏱️ Plan for around 1–2hrs, depending on pace and number of photo stops 📸
• ⚠️ Steep cliff edges in places, so good recall or leads advised 🐕
• 🚫 No facilities on site 🚻
• ☕ But nearby dog-friendly cafes in St Agnes and Porthtowan

An easy walk for all breeds and ages, there are no gates, no stiles, no awkward squeezes – just open grassy paths and plenty of space to walk comfortably 🐾 It is exposed though, so layers are essential, as the wind can change quickly 🌬️🧥

Save this post for your next Cornwall trip 📍🐾 And if you’ve got any recommendations for dog-friendly walks in Cornwall, drop them below – we're always looking for new routes! 🗺️🐕

#Olive_and_Errol #DogFriendlyCornwall #CornwallWithDogs #ExploreCornwall #DogsThatHike taken in Wheal Coates Tin Mine St Agnes by @alwaysdogfriendly

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8 months ago

🥾🐾 A dog-friendly Dorset coastal walk worth saving (for when the weather behaves) 🐾🐶

The weather in the UK has been pretty crap lately 🌧️🌬️ so I’ve been digging back through the archives for hikes that we can do when things finally start brightening up. And this Swanage ➡️ Studland coastal walk is definitely one we’d happily do again!

We first walked it in early September 2022, before we had Errol, so it’s defo on the list to repeat with both pups 🐕🐶 The route starts in Swanage and follows the coast path towards Studland, passing Old Harry’s Rocks along the way 🪨 Olive was just 9 months old at the time, and in her confident, fearless puppy phase — curious, bold, and very happy to be out exploring 🐶

Weather-wise, it wasn't too bad ☁️➡️☀️ Overcast to start, but warm enough for shorts & t-shirts. We packed sweatshirts just in case, but by early afternoon the cloud had blown through, the sun came out properly, and it turned into a really good walking day without ever feeling chilly 🥾

👇🏼 Why this walk works so well with a dog:

• 🚗 Parking: Swanage North Beach car park – BH19 2EN (easy access to the coast path)
• 🥾 Distance / time: approx. 5 miles / 8km, allow 2–3 hours at a relaxed pace
• 🐾 Wide, well-maintained coastal path
• 🐶 Nothing technical or sketchy underfoot
• 🌊 Big views with plenty of space to stop and take them in
• 🚌 Easy one-way option using the Breezer open-top bus back to Swanage (very dog-friendly!)
• 🍦 and ice cream treat in Swanage town centre at the end — including a doggy one for Olive!

Definitely a hike to save for a brighter forecast 🗺️🐾
Got any favourite dog-friendly coastal walks? Drop them below 👇🏼 taken in Old Harry Rocks by @alwaysdogfriendly

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8 months ago

☀️🐶 Can we go back to summer days like THIS please?! 🛶💦

Just looking through our @insta360_uk cloud album, and found this little memory from one of our BEST summer adventures - and now I desperately want to be back on the water in the sunshine! 😭🌊

We launched our @sandbanksstyle kayak from Maenporth Beach in Cornwall and spent the day paddling around the coastline with @Olive_and_Errol, finding gorgeous little coves to explore, jumping out for swims, and making the most of a bloody gorgeous summer day 🥹☀️ That WATER though?! 😍💦 On days like this you could convince yourself you were somewhere a lot more tropical than Cornwall 😂

Taking the dogs kayaking has become one of our favourite ways to explore together. It means we can get to little beaches and coves we’d never normally reach, it turns a day at the beach into a proper little adventure, and there’s nothing better than pulling up somewhere beautiful and letting them jump in for a swim 🐶🌊

Fancy trying kayaking with your dog? Here are 7 tips from two people who basically winged it 👇

• 🐕 Practise on dry land first — let them climb on, sniff around and get used to where you want them to sit.
• 🦺 Use a proper dog buoyancy aid — even for strong swimmers. Ours (previously #gifted by @kurgoeu) have handles too, which makes hauling a soggy dog back onboard MUCH easier 😂
• 🌊 Start calm and sheltered — their first trip probably isn’t the time for choppy seas and massive distances!
• 🐾 Expect movement — standing up, swapping places and investigating the water can seriously change the balance 😂
• 💦 Plan some stops — little coves where they can swim, explore and stretch their legs are half the fun!
• 🌡 Take plenty of fresh water & watch the heat — there can be very little shade out there.
• 🌦 Check the weather, wind AND tides — conditions can change quickly, so make sure it’s safe for you AND the dogs.

And obviously… know your dog. Some will happily lie there watching the world go by. Others will spend the entire trip attempting to launch themselves overboard after every seagull 😂🙈

Would your dog taken in Maenporth Beach by @alwaysdogfriendly

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20 days ago

🐶🚤 Just a couple of salty seadogs living their best boat life 🚤🐶

Olive and Errol absolutely love water, whether that's splashing about in a pool or at the beach, or being out on the river or sea 🌊 on a recent trip to Wales with friends, they got to test out their new matching Surf N Turf life jackets from Kurgo! Buoyant, secure and a great peace of mind when you’ve got two water-loving loons onboard! 🐾

❤️ Life jackets kindly #gifted by @kurgoeu – they're lightweight, quick-drying, and perfect for adventurous pups who love being in the water! 🌊🐶

#AlwaysCarryOn #DogsOnBoats #BoatingWithDogs #WaterDogs #AdventureDogs #DogLifeJacket #DogSafety #DogFriendlyUK #TravelWithDogs #DogFriendlyAdventures #PetFriendlyUK #DogsWelcome #DogsofInstagramUK #DogLifeUK #DogBoatLife #LifeJacketForDogs #PaddlePups #AussiesOfInstagram #DogDaysOutUK #OutdoorDogsUK #KurgoEU #UKDogFriendly #DogAdventureGear #PetSafety #WeekendWithDogs #ExploringWithDogs #DogsOfInstagram #WaggyTails #DogFriendlyTrip taken in Pwllheli by @alwaysdogfriendly

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a year ago

🐕🚣🏼‍♀️ Shorely this beats sitting on a crowded beach all afternoon?! 🌊🐶

Want the location? 📍 Watch to the end for details 😉

One of the things we love most about taking the dogs with us kayaking 🐕 is that it gives us access to places we'd never normally see from land. Quiet coves, hidden beaches and beautiful stretches of coastline that feel completely different when viewed from the water 🌊

The Optimal 2-person kayak from @sandbanksstyle has opened up a whole new way for the four of us to explore together - and I have a feeling it's only the start of our adventures! 🛶💦

A few things we've learned about kayaking with dogs so far:

• 🦺 Life jackets are non-negotiable for us - Olive and Errol always wear their @kurgoeu buoyancy aids, even though Errol is a strong swimmer. Water conditions can change quickly, and it gives us much greater peace of mind if anything unexpected happens!
• ☀️ Don't forget sun protection - Dogs can get sunburnt too, particularly on lighter-coloured noses and thinner-coated areas. We always apply a dog-safe waterproof sunscreen to Errol's snout before heading out.
• 🌊 Start on calm water - This trip was helped enormously by the fact the sea was incredibly calm. It's much easier for dogs to build confidence when they're not dealing with waves, wakes or strong currents.
• 🐾 Give them plenty of grip - One thing we really liked about the Sandbanks kayak was the textured surface, which helped stop the dogs sliding around constantly.
• 💧 Expect to get wet - Even if your dogs stay onboard, they'll somehow manage to bring half the ocean back into the kayak with them! 😂
• ⏱️ Keep early trips short and positive - We'd much rather finish while the dogs are still enjoying themselves than push them beyond their comfort zone.

We're still learning ourselves, but it's been brilliant finding a way for Simon, @Olive_and_Errol and I to all get out on the water together 💦🐕🛶

Have you ever tried kayaking or paddleboarding with your dog? I'd love to hear any tips or lessons you've picked up along the way 👇

AD | features #gifted products

#alwaysdogfriendly #kay taken in Cornwall, United Kingdom by @alwaysdogfriendly

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4 months ago

🚐🐕 What we learnt on our first ad-van-ture! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🚐

We just hired our first campervan for a road trip with the dogs - we had no idea what to expect, but learnt A LOT along the way 🙏🏻 We booked with @QuirkyCampers, picked up the van in Edinburgh and set off on Scotland's famous NC500 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Would we hire a camper again? 💯 But here are some things we’d look out for next time…

Camper must-haves for our next trip:
• 🛌 A better bed - The fixed bed took up all the living space and was too short for Si. Next time we’d want a flexible setup that doubles as seating in the day (for those inevitable rainy days 🌦) or a bed that folds into the wall
• 🌬 Opening windows - A skylight alone doesn’t give enough airflow, especially with two damp dogs in the van 💦
• 🗄 Decent storage — Living out of bags and rummaging for socks in the dark got old fast. Drawers or a mini wardrobe would make life easier

Things we now know aren't needed:
• 🐶 Dog bed & lead hooks - I booked this van specifically for these - but @Olive_and_Errol wouldn't use the bed. And while lead tether points were great in theory, both dogs howled within seconds of leaving Edinburgh when locked in the van alone 🙉 they were much happier comfortably in the cab with us
• 🔥 Log burner - Cute, but unnecessary
• 🚽 Portable toilet & shower - We used neither, and they took up space. Campsites and @BritStopsUK had us covered!

What we overpacked:
• 🛶 Paddleboard & kayak - The SUP got one outing (worth it), but the kayak never left the van sadly 😥
• 🎲 Board games - With no table inside, the only game we could sit & play with two dogs on the bed was Boggle. So every night we had a Boggle tournament 🤣
• 🧥 Clothes - Scotland gave us sunshine one week and rain the next. The truth? You’ll always overpack - just lol while digging out a dry hoodie.

All in all, the van wasn’t perfect for us. But the trip was brilliant - and now we know exactly what to look for when booking another camper 🚐

What would be your non-negotiable van feature(s)? 👇 share a comment below! taken in Isle Of Harris by @alwaysdogfriendly

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a year ago