Cat Friendly Stays in the UK

Why should dogs have all the fun and get to go on holiday with their owners and cats have to stay at home or go in a cattery?

Well I am on a quest to change this and to find as many Cat Friendly stays in the UK as possible to share with other cat owners out there.

Since adopting our Bengal Cat Lola from Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in November 2024 she has come on many adventures with us which she very much enjoys.

This had started me on the quest to find Cat Friendly accommodation in the UK so she can holiday with us.

Did you know many places that say they are Pet Friendly only mean Dog Friendly? Personally I think if you accept dogs you should accept cats as well, as those people who want to take their cats on holiday with them will have very well behaved cats who go out and adventure with them.

Here are some fantastic cat friendly (and dog friendly) stays we have stayed in and I will be adding more as time goes on so please keep checking back.

1. Bowhill House - Scotland

Bowhill House located in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders has two holiday properties within the grounds of the estate and both are pet friendly.

• The Clock Tower - sleeps 4/6

• The Bothy - sleeps 4

Both are attached to Bowhill House itself, located within the courtyard just past the main visitor hub.

These Self Catering holiday cottages nestled in the Scottish Borders are the perfect place to escape to the countryside, rest, relax and explore. 

With acres of walking trails, woodlands, fishing lochs, stunning views and a fantastic adventure playground for kids it is a fantastic break away for the whole family.

The House is owned by the Duke of Buccleuch and it is back open in August 2025 for tours of the house, which is steeped in history and art. 

We stayed in The Bothy that sleeps 4 people and takes pets

Lola absolutely loved her weekend away here especially looking out the large windows to the grounds.

There are so many walking trails you can do straight from the front door and we chose to hike the Duchess' Drive a 7 mile walk which takes you up through woodlands for stunning views over Selkirk, Eildon Hills and past the ruins of Newark Castle. 

And the Loch walk a 2 mile easy woodland walk with good paths around the two lochs in the estate for beautiful views of the house itself. 

I have often overlooked the Scottish Borders for the bigger mountains in the Highlands, but I will no longer over look the borders after staying at Bowhill house and the countryside is absolutely beautiful - and make sure you don't overlook the Scottish borders either.

The Bothy, is attached to historic Bowhill House itself, but a later addition from the main house which dates back to 1812. From the living room and main bedroom windows you can look over the private House gardens with views of the loch and the surrounding Valley. The bathroom and second bedroom windows also provide fantastic views of the Estate.

The House reopens in August 2025 - and can be closed during the winter months during a normal year, in 2024/2025 for essential maintenance and you have to book onto a tour, please check the website before visiting if you want to also go into the house.

The adventure playground, which is perfect for kids, and café is open from Easter usually each year, again please double check this before booking/visiting if you would like to go when these are open.

If you have kids this is a perfect place for a holiday as there is so much to do from the front door to keep them entertained, if you don't have kids then it's a great place to escape in the winter months as it is so quiet, which for us, especially with Lola is perfect

2. Wenningdale Escapes - North Yorkshire

   
   
   
   

Located in High Bentham in North Yorkshire (on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales) on an 18 hole golf course with views of Ingleborough (just seen in one of the photos, it was a bit misty the weekend we stayed) is the perfect base to explore North Yorkshire. 

Just 10minute drive from Clapham and the Ingleborough Caves (which I highly recommend you visit as they are amazing) and the start of the hike up to Ingleborough. 

It is also on the border of The Forest of Bowland and the Lake District National Park is a short drive away, with Kendal only being 30mins away. 

They offer cosy Glamping Pods that sleep 2 and they are Pet friendly and this is what we stayed in with Lola.

The pods are great for couples, solo travel or traveling with one friend.

There are also Lodges on site that also take pets (minus one) that sleep 4-8, so a lot more spacious than the glamping pods and a great place to get the family together or a few friends.

The towns of Ingleton & Settle are super close by and it could be a great base to hike the Yorkshire Three Peaks or visit Malham Cove and Gordale Scar.

Ingleton - 6 minute drive away and I highly recommend taking the waterfall trail there

Settle - 18 minute drive

It is about a 25-30 minute drive for the start of the walk to Malham Cove.

Lot's more Cat Friendly stays to follow, the next one is another wonderful place in Scotland.

3. Largo Leisure Holidays - Loch Tay Highland Lodges

Pet Friendly accommodation on the shores of Loch Tay in Scotland, you say? I say yes please! Largo Leisure Holidays - Loch Tay offers beautiful cabins, pods and glamping in a gorgeous setting, we stayed in one of their Pet Friendly cabins, so Lola could join us and it was so spacious, comfy and had everything we needed for a lovely stay, we all had an amazing time especially Lola.

They have a wide range of accommodation on site from camping in star gazing tents, glamping pods, cabins, lodges and exclusive houses, some with hot tubs and all with pet friendly options, sleeping 2 -8 people.

There is a restaurant right by the harbour called The Boathouse with delicious food, you cam eat in or take away and they have a dog menu (unfortunately no cat menu though)

You can book onto many different types of activities on site; from gorge walking, canoeing, kayaking etc and boat tours on the loch.

I especially loved that I could just walk down to the shore and have a wild swim , which I did twice, and Lola enjoyed exploring the shore and climbing the trees.

Things to do near by :

• Hike Beinn Ghlas & Ben Lawers two munros just behind the holiday park, the car park for this walk is a 10minute drive from the park

These are fantastic munros with well marked paths, beautiful wildlife and I have to say some of the easiest munros I have hiked, so fantastic for beginners as well. Lola thoroughly enjoyed bagging her first two munros.

Park - Ben Lawers Car Park part of the National Trust for Scotland, so free for National Trust Members

Please remember to check Mountain Weather forecasts I tend to use YR and mountain forecast.

Pack layers, waterproofs, plenty of food and water, wear decent walking shoes/trainers or boots and consider hiking poles if needed.

Remember weather can change quickly in the mountains and the temps at the summit can drop.

• Go for wild Swims in the Loch or take out some Kayaks, canoes, paddle boards or even a boat tour from the little harbour 

• Eat out or get a takeaway from The Boathouse restaurant which is on site

• Explore the village of Killin (10 minute drive away)

  Killin is a small village at the Falls of Dochart, a spectacular series of rapids, at the western end of Loch Tay.

  The village makes an excellent base for walks in the surrounding mountains of Breadalbane while Loch Tay is a popular destination for both its salmon fishing and watersports. Killin sits at the edge of the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve and the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, so you can enjoy a lovely mix of wildlife spotting, outdoor activities and walking.

  
  

  Nearby you will find the ruins of the Campbell stronghold of Finlarig Castle and the Moirlanich Longhouse, a rare surviving example of a traditional Scottish longhouse, maintained by the National Trust for Scotland.

  
  

  The village offers a variety of accommodation, places to eat and local convenience stores. The Killin Outdoor Centre and Mountain Shop have a variety of outdoor equipment for hire and sale and can provide excellent knowledge for things to see and do in the area

• Visit Kenmore - 25 minute drive away

  Kenmore is a small village in Perthshire, which is a popular centre for activities on Loch Tay.

  This beautiful village is at the northern end of the14-mile long Loch Tay. It's great for activities on and around the Loch itself, such as sailing, canoeing, water-skiing, jet-biking, or for the more leisurely, fishing or golfing!  There's a couple of local Hotels and The Courtyard restaurant, so plenty choice for eating out.  And if you're looking to buy gifts or great fresh local produce, pop into The Courtyard shop.

  
  

  The main attraction is the Scottish Crannog Centre, one of the country's top heritage sites where you can discover what life was like over 2500 years ago!  This reconstructed thatched wooden house is built on stilts over the water, with a gangway that would have been lifted up in the event of danger

• Book a spa session at Taymouth Marina a 25minute drive away - please note Taymouth Marina is Dog Friendly ONLY which sucks!! (in my opinion) and they won't tell you before hand if the slide into the loch is closed.