Rounding up all the latest news and information to help you enjoy time at the beach with your dog
A PERFECT COASTAL SPOT FOR POOCHES
When it comes to holiday stays by the sea, dog lovers usually have a few priorities, writes RICHARD BRYSON.
We tend to want properties that have a safe and secure garden, a beach that permits dogs (obviously) and plenty of local walks. If you have an elderly pet, or like us, one with an elbow deformity, an absence of stairs plus a non-slippery floor may also be important.
Rosehearty, a three-bedroom bungalow at Winterton, Norfolk, let by specialists Winterton Cottages, ticks all those boxes and a lot more besides. It may not be set in the most fashionable part of this county (the likes of ‘Chelsea-on-Sea’, AKA Burnham Market and surrounds) but it is close to the Broads, about half an hour from Norwich, and Winterton is a charming village with a good pub, shops, a cafe and a fish and chip shop.
This modern retreat has a spacious living area combining a very well equipped kitchen, lounge and dining area plus three comfortable bedrooms and two bathrooms. Go from room to room opening drawers and cupboards and you will find the owners have supplied practically everything to ease the occasional stress of a self-catering holiday.
If the weather is kind the lawned back garden, with its patio furniture and gas barbecue, makes for a very agreeable place to relax. From one of the bedrooms and the large open plan living area you look out over dunes to the sea with ships of all shapes and sizes moving slowly across the horizon. The beach is about a five-minute walk away via steps leading from the garden.
We liked the option of either walking our springer spaniels along the footpaths among the dunes, or taking them on to the sandy beach for a shoreline paddle.
A measure of the quality and outlook of this property can be gauged by the fact this journalist and family are returning later in 2024 for a week’s stay. We haven’t told the dogs yet - they’d be too excited.
• A seven-night stay starts from £1,548. Two dogs welcome. More at wintertoncottages.co.uk or call 01493 800645.
NO PET PASSPORT NEEDED FOR GUERNSEY TRIPS
The team at Guernseytravel appreciates your four-legged friend is a firm part of the family, and that taking them along on holiday is all part of the fun.
You may be of the impression that any adventure by sea requires a pet passport, but as part of the British Isles the Channel Islands are exempt from this requirement and canine visitors are welcome.
Travel from the south coast by highspeed or traditional ferry, the latter offering pet-friendly cabins, and allow the friendly team at Guernseytravel to advise on suitable accommodation.
While a small number of Guernsey’s many beaches are dog-free in summer months, other
