A dog friendly holiday in Kent shouldn’t mean compromising on where you stay or what you do. Kent makes this easier than most counties, with riverside paths, ancient woodland, coastal walks, and a great choice of pubs that treat a dog under the table as entirely normal.
This weekend has been built with dog owners at the forefront of every decision: the walks, the pub stops, and the place you stay are all chosen with your dog properly in mind, not squeezed in around a normal itinerary.
Dog Friendly Things to Do in Kent: Where to Walk
This is where Kent earns its reputation as one of the better counties in England for a dog owner’s weekend.
The River Stour, Canterbury
A flat, well-maintained path running from Westgate Gardens along the river, popular with dogs for a reason: shade, ducks, and space enough for an actual game of fetch. It’s an easy option if you want a walk that doesn’t demand much planning. Canterbury’s own guide to dog walking routes covers this route in more detail if you want the full map.
The Crab and Winkle Way
The historic route between Canterbury and Whitstable, mostly off-road and following the line of a disused railway. It passes through ancient woodland and orchards, and while it’s popular with cyclists too, there’s enough space for it to work well as a dog walk. Explore Kent has route details if you’re planning the full stretch.
Blean Woods
Ancient woodland just outside Canterbury, with a network of trails that make it a good option if your dog prefers trees and undergrowth to open paths.
Whitstable Seafront
If you fancy a coastal detour, Whitstable Beach allows dogs off-lead on the central and west sections throughout the year and between 1 October and 30 April. Worth knowing before you plan a summer visit, since the rules change seasonally.
Dog Friendly Days Out Beyond Walking
A weekend doesn’t have to be all walking and pubs. A few options worth knowing about if you want something a little different.
Canoe Wild, near Canterbury
Self-paddle canoe and kayak hire on the River Stour, with dogs welcome to join you in the boat. The route out to Fordwich, one of the smallest towns in England, is around five miles each way, so it works as either a short paddle or a proper afternoon out.
Barnsole Vineyard, near Canterbury
A small vineyard near Staple that welcomes well-behaved dogs on leads, both in the tasting garden and on guided walks through the vines. A relaxed way to spend an afternoon if you’d rather sit still for a while than keep walking.
The White Cliffs of Dover
A National Trust site, and one they’ve specifically rated as dog-friendly, with clifftop paths and genuinely dramatic views. It’s further out than the other options here, worth building into a full day if you’re heading that way rather than a quick stop.
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral has recently opened its doors to dogs, a change worth knowing about if you’re planning to combine a city visit with your dog rather than leaving them outside. Policies like this can shift, so it’s worth checking directly before you go.
Where to Eat With Your Dog
After a walk, Canterbury has a good handful of dog-friendly stops for lunch or a pint, The White Hart and Three Tuns both welcome dogs, and further out, the Woolpack Inn in Chilham is worth the detour.
A few things worth knowing before you head out. Most pubs in Kent restrict dogs to the bar or lounge rather than the main dining room, so it’s worth asking when you arrive. Outdoor seating and beer gardens are almost always fine, and a good option if it’s a warm day and your dog’s had a long walk already.
It’s also worth carrying water and a bowl of your own rather than relying on one being available; most places have them, but not all.
What to Pack for a Dog Friendly Weekend Away
A dog-friendly weekend needs a bit more thought than packing for yourself alone, but nothing complicated.
For the walks: a lead long enough for open paths but short enough for busy spots like Westgate Gardens, water and a collapsible bowl (don’t rely on cafes or pubs having one spare), and poo bags, more than you think you’ll need. A towel in the car is worth its weight after the River Stour or a wet woodland walk, muddy paws are a near certainty at Blean Woods.
For eating out: most dog-friendly pubs restrict dogs to the bar or lounge rather than the full dining room, so it’s worth having a lead or a mat to settle your dog under the table rather than assuming they’ll have somewhere set up for you.
For the extras: if you’re heading out with Canoe Wild, a dog that’s happy in water and a towel for afterwards make the paddle far more relaxed. For Barnsole Vineyard, a lead is essential, dogs need to stay on one throughout the visit.
For where you’re staying: your dog’s usual bed or blanket helps them settle somewhere unfamiliar faster than starting from scratch, and it’s worth bringing their own food if they’re prone to an upset stomach from a change in routine.
Dog Friendly Accommodation in Kent: Where to Stay
Broome Park makes a good base for this kind of weekend precisely because your dog isn’t an afterthought here. The woodland lodges and a range of rooms in the Mansion House both welcome dogs, and the estate’s own grounds give you somewhere to let them stretch their legs before you’ve even left the property.
For the specifics, dog policy, any charges, which spaces dogs can and can’t access, it’s worth reading our full guide to dog-friendly hotels in Canterbury before you book.
Ready to Plan Your Dog Friendly Weekend?
If this has given you a starting point, the next step is simple: book your stay directly with Broome Park. Booking direct means the rate you see is the best one available, no third-party mark-up, and you’re speaking to the people who’ll actually be looking after you and your dog when you arrive, not a booking platform that’s never set foot on the estate.
It also means any questions about your dog’s stay, which room, whether you need anything extra, get answered by someone who knows the property, rather than getting lost in a generic enquiry form.
Book your dog-friendly stay direct
FAQs About Dog Friendly Holidays in Kent
Are dogs allowed at Broome Park?
Yes, dogs are welcome in the woodland lodges and throughout most of the main house, including the bar and lounge. See our dog-friendly hotels in Canterbury guide for full details.
What are the best dog-friendly walks near Canterbury?
The River Stour path from Westgate Gardens, the Crab and Winkle Way toward Whitstable, and Blean Woods are all well-used, genuinely dog-friendly routes close to the city.
Is Whitstable beach dog-friendly?
Dogs are allowed off-lead on Whitstable beach between 1 October and 30 April. Outside of this window, seasonal restrictions apply, so it’s worth checking before a summer visit.
Are there dog-friendly things to do in Kent besides walking?
Yes. Canoe Wild offers dog-friendly canoe and kayak hire on the River Stour, Barnsole Vineyard welcomes dogs on leads for tastings and vineyard walks, and the White Cliffs of Dover are a National Trust dog-friendly site.
Can I bring my dog into Canterbury Cathedral?
Recent changes mean dogs are now welcome at Canterbury Cathedral, though it’s worth checking directly before your visit in case this changes.
