Camping with dogs in the UK: how to do it well

Dogs and camping go together like sausages and a fire. Most UK campsites welcome them, the best walks in the country start from a tent door, and there's no hotel-style anxiety about whether the receptionist will notice the spaniel. But a good trip with a dog takes a little planning.

Finding a dog-friendly campsite

The majority of Firecamp campsites accept dogs — you'll see the number of pets you can bring when you set your party size on the search. A few things to check on the listing:

• Pet fee. Usually £1–£5 per dog per night.
• Maximum number of dogs. Often two per pitch.
• Lambing restrictions. Working farms in Wales, the Dales and the Lakes may refuse dogs in March–May, or insist on leads everywhere.
• Dog walking area. Larger sites have a dedicated field; smaller ones open straight onto footpaths.
• Beach access. Many beaches restrict dogs between May and September. Check the local council's rules if beach walks are the point of the trip.

What to pack for your dog

• Food, plus a day extra, in a sealed container
• Collapsible water bowl and a couple of litres of water for the journey
• Long line or tether stake for the pitch
• Their own bed or blanket — familiar smells matter in a strange place
• Towel (a specific dog towel, not yours)
• Tick remover — hill and moorland ticks are common from spring to autumn
• Poo bags, more than you think
• A reflective collar or light for after dark
• Vaccination and microchip details, and the number of a vet near the site

In the tent

Dogs get cold on the ground just like people do. Bring a mat or thick blanket under their bed. If your dog is a nervous sleeper, a night in the tent in the garden before the trip helps enormously.

Keep the porch as the dog zone: muddy paws stay out of the sleeping area, and there's room for the water bowl. Never leave a dog alone in a tent on a warm day — it heats up like a car.

Campsite etiquette

1. Lead on, always. Most sites require it, and other campers' children, dogs and barbecues will thank you.
2. Clean up immediately. Nothing sours a campsite quicker.
3. Don't leave them alone at the pitch. Barking carries a long way in a quiet field.
4. Respect livestock. On farm sites, keep well away from sheep and cattle, and never let a dog into a field with animals.
5. Give other dogs space. Not every dog on site wants to be friends.

Best places to camp with a dog

• Northumberland — miles of empty beach, and far fewer summer dog bans than the south coast.
• The Peak District — moorland walks straight from the site, and dog-friendly pubs in every village.
• The Yorkshire Dales — riverside farm sites and endless footpaths (lead on around sheep).
• Scotland — the right to roam applies to dogs under close control, too.
• The New Forest — traffic-free tracks, though watch the ponies and keep dogs on leads near ground-nesting birds in spring.

Set your party to include your dog when you search for a campsite and you'll only see sites that will take them.