What is the dog friendliest town in the UK?

Bury St Edmunds is officially the most Dog Friendly Town in England. The town reached the finals of the DogFriendly Awards 2023 in the Most Dog Friendly Town/City category at The Kennel Club HQ in London on November 29. Girvan in Scotland took home 1st place for the Most Dog Friendly Town/City in the UK while Bury St Edmunds won silver and is now the most Dog Friendly Town in England. With dog-friendly accommodation, cafes and restaurants, plus attractions and days out that your pooch will love, the historic town and surrounding towns and villages are the ideal place to enjoy a short break or holiday with every member of the family – including the furry variety. The town has had its own Dog Friendly Bury St Edmunds scheme for the last five years to let visitors know where you can bring your four-legged pal. We can now proudly say we are England’s Most Dog Friendly Town.

Brighton gives you access to the seaside, countryside and the city, offering something for every dog. Spend a day enjoying the dog-friendly sections of Brighton + Hove, eating in one of the many dog-friendly cafes in the Lanes or drive 5 minutes out the city for the rolling hills of the South Downs. With plenty of amazing countryside and coastal locations quite literally on our doorstep, Brits are spoilt for choice when it comes to places to explore with their four-legged friends. The UK is packed with vibrant and exciting cities where you can explore historic attractions, National Parks or try out a dog-friendly pub or café. Brighton offers something for every dog.

Dog-lovers have voted a Suffolk town the most dog friendly in the UK. At an awards ceremony in London this afternoon Bury St Edmunds was named the UK’s most dog friendly town after winning silver and the crown for English towns last year. It is fantastic that Bury St Edmunds not only reached the finals for a second successive year, but has gone one better and is now the most dog friendly town in the UK. With Bury St Edmunds welcoming dogs in many of our businesses, there are a lot that go the extra mile offering items on their menus, free snacks for dogs and more. I was honoured to represent Bury St Edmunds at the awards ceremony again and so proud to receive the award on behalf of local businesses and a passionate group behind the scenes going over and above to make our canine chums welcome. Around 140 shops, eateries, places to stay, attractions and more have signed up to the scheme meaning they can display a blue paw print logo sticker and water bowl. It means that residents and visitors know that they can stay longer in town and don’t have to leave their four-legged member of their family at home because many of our local accommodation businesses offer dog stays too.

The top cities for active dogs and their owners include Southampton, which has 31 dog parks per capita and 143 parks and play areas, so it’s great for fitness. The New Forest National Park is right on the city’s doorstep and it sees over 1,700 hours of sunshine every year – perfect for getting out and exploring the city and surrounding areas with your pooch in tow. Not to mention the 32 dog-friendly hikes in the city – the highest for any city or town in our index. St. Albans sits in second position with its 36 dog parks per capita and 158 public parks or play areas. However, when it comes to towns, the Greater Manchester town of Bury is the number one town for active dogs and their owners. With its 51 dog parks, close proximity to the Peak District National Park, 108 public parks and play areas, 11 dog-friendly hikes, plus its low population density it’s the ideal place to get out and be active with your dog. Just below Bury in the active dog stakes comes Guildford, which has 149 public parks and play areas, 54 dog parks, over 1,500 hours of sunshine every year and little rainfall. Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands comes in third place, with its elevation of 120.5 metres ideal to work up a sweat for both pooches and pooch parents, as well as being a super safe place to walk alone with your dog both during the day and at night.