Dog Friendly Holidays in Hampshire

What's available for dog owners in Hampshire

There are 25 dog-friendly stays published on BritStays in Hampshire, and every one lists Pet Friendly among its facilities. Hotels make up just over half (13), followed by camping (6), cottages (3) and caravanning (3). If you want a self-contained place where your dog can settle in properly, the cottage choice is small, so it's worth looking early. If a hotel room or a pitch suits you, you'll have more to choose from.

Beyond the dog welcome, these are the facilities that come up most often:

• WiFi and parking: 19 stays each
• A restaurant: 14 stays
• Disabled access: 12 stays
• Near a train station: 11 stays
• A bar: 8 stays
• Toilets: 7 stays, which is mostly useful to know when comparing campsites

Being near a train station could matter more than you'd expect. If your dog travels well on trains, you may not need the car at all.

Choosing the right area

Eight of the stays are listed simply under Hampshire. Winchester and Southampton have four each, Eastleigh and West Meon, Southern England have two each, and there are single listings in Romsey, Alton and Brockenhurst, Southern England. Here's how they tend to suit different trips.

Winchester for a city break with your dog. This is the best-served town in the set, with options at different levels. The Old Vine has a bar and restaurant, which helps if you'd rather eat where you're staying than hunt for a dog-friendly table. Lainston House Hotel and The Winchester Hotel suit couples after something more special, and The Winchester Hotel lists a swimming pool, hot tub and spa. If you want something simpler, there's Days Inn Winchester and a Travelodge in Winchester.

Southampton for practical stopovers. Travelodge Southampton lists disabled access, pet friendly rooms and WiFi, and the Ibis in Southampton has a bar, restaurant and cafe. These are sensible if you're passing through or want a city base.

Countryside for space and slower days. The Stables in West Meon sleeps 6 and lists parking and WiFi, so it's a natural fit for families or two couples sharing. Grenville at Wallops Wood in Droxford has a pool, hot tub and spa. If you prefer canvas, Rowbury Farm Camping has a cafe, toilets and a picnic area. The Sustainability Centre also lists a cafe and toilets, and Brocklands Farm near Petersfield has a bar and toilets. In Romsey, The White Horse offers evening entertainment alongside its bar and restaurant.

The coast. The stays in this set lean inland. If being near the sea matters to you, Southampton and Portsmouth are the nearest bases among the areas covered here. Check exact locations on each listing before you book.

Things to do once you're there

The New Forest National Park is the obvious draw for dog owners, and Brockenhurst is the area in this set closest to its name. Hampshire also has plenty of historic houses to plan days around, including Hinton Ampner, Rotherfield Park, Cranbury House, Gaston Grange and Redenham House. The National Trust looks after Sandham Memorial Chapel and City Mill.

For family days out, there's Marwell Zoo in Hampshire, and the City Museum in Portsmouth suits a rainy morning. Dog rules differ a lot between attractions, especially indoors and anywhere with animals. Check each one's policy before you set off, and have a plan for your dog if it can't come in.

When and how to book

With only three cottages and one stay sleeping six among the examples, self-catering for a group is where choice runs out first. If that's what you need, book as early as you can, particularly for school holidays and bank holiday weekends. Hotels give you more flexibility, but dog-friendly rooms are often a limited number within a hotel. Don't assume one is free just because the hotel has general availability.

Before you confirm, ask the stay directly:

• How many dogs you can bring, and whether size matters
• Whether there's an extra charge per dog or per night
• Which rooms or areas dogs can use, including any bar or restaurant
• Whether you can leave your dog alone in the room or accommodation
• Where the nearest place for a walk is, especially at city hotels

Pack your dog's own bedding and bowls, and confirm parking if you're driving. Parking is listed at 19 of the 25 stays, so it isn't guaranteed everywhere.