Dog-Friendly Places to Stay in Portrush

What's available for dog owners in Portrush

If you're planning a break on the north coast with your dog, it helps to know the choice is fairly small. BritStays currently lists seven pet-friendly places to stay in the Portrush area of County Antrim. Six are in Portrush itself and one is in Bushmills. There's a decent spread of styles across that handful: three hotels, two caravanning options and two camping options. You can choose between a room with a restaurant downstairs and a pitch where your dog can stretch out beside you.

Every stay in this set is listed as pet friendly. The facility data also shows what else you can expect:

• Disabled access at five of the seven
• Toilets at four
• Playgrounds, WiFi, a laundrette, a restaurant and parking at three each

A laundrette is more useful than it sounds after a few days of sandy paws and wet towels. Since only three list parking, check this before you book if you're arriving by car with a boot full of dog kit.

Matching the stay to your kind of trip

For couples who want a comfortable base with somewhere to eat on site, The Bushmills Inn lists a bar, a restaurant and disabled access. Antrim House offers a hot tub and parking alongside being pet friendly, which suits a slower, more relaxed break. Bridgend Hotel has a restaurant and takeaway food, which is handy when you'd rather eat in with the dog than leave them behind.

Families have a few options with playgrounds:

• Bush Caravan Park in Bushmills has a playground, toilets and disabled access.
• Craigahulliar Holiday Park pairs a playground and toilets with a gym, if one of you likes to keep up a routine on holiday.
• Maddybenny offers a restaurant, a playground and toilets, so it covers children and mealtimes in one place.

If you prefer camping, Port Mòr Campsite lists a bar, a cafe and toilets. That makes life simpler when you don't fancy cooking on a stove every evening.

Coast or countryside?

Most of the listed stays are in Portrush, so this is largely a coastal choice. Bush Caravan Park in Bushmills is the one option outside the town. It gives you a slightly different base if you'd like a change from staying right in Portrush. Either way, the area's best-known coastal landmarks are within reach for day trips.

Things to do once you're there

The coast is the obvious draw. The Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge are the headline coastal sights. Portstewart Strand, cared for by the National Trust, is a well-known stretch of beach. The Dark Hedges is a popular landmark if you enjoy a scenic stop. Other National Trust places in the area include Mussenden Temple and Hezlett House, and Drenagh offers castle and heritage interest.

With children, Curry's Fun Park and North Coast Alpacas are good for a change of pace. On a wet day, Coleraine Museum and Ballymoney Museum are among the nearby options.

Dog rules differ between attractions, beaches and individual areas within them, and they can change with the season. Check each place's current policy before you set off. Some days you may need to plan for one of you to stay with the dog while the other goes in.

When and how to book

With only seven pet-friendly stays listed across the area, there isn't much spare capacity. Summer weekends and school holidays are the times you're most likely to find your first choice gone, so booking well ahead makes sense. Outside those times you'll usually have more flexibility, though it's still worth confirming early.

Before you pay, ask the stay directly about:

• How many dogs they accept, and of what size
• Any extra charge for pets
• Whether dogs are allowed in all rooms, pitches or units, or only some
• Whether dogs can go in bars, restaurants or cafes on site
• Parking, if you're driving, since not every stay lists it

Pack a towel for the car and a long lead. Keep a note of the stay's pet rules on your phone so you can check them on arrival.