Dog Furiendly
Planning a getaway with your four-legged friend? The Isle of Wight is a paradise for pups and their humans, offering a wide range of dog-welcoming beaches, scenic trails, and cosy cafés. Check out this three day dog-friendly Isle of Wight itinerary to make your trip un-fur-gettable.
Day One
All aboard the Wightlink Ferry! Departing from Lymington, the Wightlink ferry whisks you across the Solent to the charming town of Yarmouth. It’s a 40 minute crossing and dogs are allowed to join you on the ferry, albeit in certain areas. In the summer, we’d recommend sitting on the outside deck, to soak up the sun… and the views!
Start your holiday by walking the Tennyson Trail, or part of it. It’s around 2.5 hours all in, but it can be broken up into smaller sections. This scenic walk offers breathtaking views between Alum Bay and The Needles and Freshwater Bay, where we’d suggest stopping for lunch at The Piano Café. If you’d prefer a quick coffee stop, The Bike Box is often parked along Military Road and serves up an excellent coffee with a side of sea breeze. There’s a car park there too, so this could be a good spot to start the walk.
We’d suggest staying at Tom’s Eco Lodge, at Tapnell Farm. Choose from cosy geo domes or pods, some equipped with hot tubs – perfect for relaxing after a day of adventure. We’d suggest arriving in time for sunset though, as it is a gorgeous spot. You can either dine at The Cow Restaurant on-site, or if you’re lucky, catch Wightwood Pizza’s mobile van, which serves up the best pizza on the Isle of Wight. They travel around, but are usually in West Wight over the weekend.
Day Two
Start your day in the postcard-perfect village of Godshill. For breakfast, head to Cook & Baker – a rustic, dog-friendly spot known for its freshly baked goodies. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, you have to try one of their doughnuts. But get there early – they sell out fast!
From there, take a leisurely walk to Appuldurcombe House. There’s a lovely circular route that we recommend, which offers lovely countryside views. If your pooch has energy to spare (and you do too), you can extend the walk up to the Worsley Monument, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views stretching across the island.
For a bit of fun, pop into the Model Village – a miniature world in the heart of Godshill. Dogs are welcome, and it’s a great spot for snapping some adorable pup-sized photos.
Later in the day, head into Newport for a coffee at Caffe Isola, a welcoming, dog-friendly café that roasts its own beans on-site. Then make your way to The Blacksmiths for dinner – a country pub with great food, spacious outdoor seating, and a warm welcome for wagging tails. It’s a popular spot, so it’s worth booking ahead!
Day Three
Start your final day with a relaxed breakfast at The George Hotel in Yarmouth. Their outdoor terrace has gorgeous sea views, and it’s the perfect place to soak up the morning sunshine. The breakfast is solid too… Especially the sausages!
After breakfast, grab a coffee from PO41 and wander along Yarmouth Pier – it’s one of the oldest wooden piers in the UK, and offers lovely views back towards the mainland. Your dog will love sniffing the sea air and it’s great photo spot!
Next, head to Newtown Creek – a peaceful National Trust nature reserve with winding trails, wildlife, and plenty of sniff-worthy spots. It’s peaceful and filled with nature. A great place to unwind with your dog! I’d suggest just doing the loop part of the walk below, which will cut it down to around 1.5 hours, but you could make it much shorter if you wanted too.
In the afternoon, make your way over to Havenstreet for a ride on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. It’s a step back in time and, yes – dogs are allowed aboard! If your pooch still has energy to burn, there’s a lovely woodland walk nearby through Firestone Copse. There’s even a river at the bottom if your dog loves a paddle.
Finish your trip with a delicious dinner at Coast Bar & Dining in Cowes. It’s one of our favourites when it comes to both style and substance. They offer tasty seasonal dishes, as well as all year round favourites like burgers, steak and pizza. Just be sure to book in advance as it gets busy!
Whether your dog loves bounding along coastal trails, sniffing out new cafés, or simply relaxing with you by their side, the Isle of Wight truly is a paradise waiting to be explored. With stunning scenery, dog-friendly spots around every corner, and plenty of tail-wagging adventures to be had, the Isle of Wight really is the ulti-mutt UK getaway for you and your furry travel buddy.
Have you visited the Isle of Wight with your dog? Or do you have a favourite dog-friendly hidden gem on the island? Share your top tips and tag us in your adventures over on Instagram @dogfuriendly 🐾
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