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Dog-Friendly Boats and Boathouses for Whole Family Waterside Breaks

20 February 2025

There’s something irredeemably relaxing about a holiday inspired by water… whether the wide open sea, a meandering river, or a shimmering lake.

Most boat or boathouse stays offer up-close proximity to calming waters, with abundant fresh air, an invigorating sense of freedom, and blazing sunsets glistening on the horizon.

There’s just one issue: can you bring your best four-legged friend along?

The wonderful thing about this list of glorious boat and boathouse stays is… yes, you can! Each and every retreat listed here is dog-friendly, so no-one will have to stay behind on dry land.

Choose a luxurious boat if you’ve got the sea legs (whether two or four) for a stay spent sailing or bobbing gently on the water. Some boats are moored inland, for a feeling of being at one with the waves without any queasy stomachs – or choose a boathouse for additional cottage-style charm.

Whichever you opt for, you can expect plenty of aqua-inspired loveliness, with fresh, indulgent décor and perhaps the odd treat in the form of a hot tub, games, or a goodie-packed hamper.

And of course, there could be plenty of scope for laughter-fuelled waterside walks with the whole family, too – maybe to the nearest dog-friendly pub!

Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: Floatels by Tŷ Milford Waterfront | Pembrokeshire

The Floating Terrarium

Hackney, London, England
A wow-factor, off-grid garden sanctuary in the form of a wide beam barge, rich in eco-friendly luxury and gloriously secluded on a glistening canal in uber-cool Hackney.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£180 / night

Camillia Boatel

Edinburgh, Scotland
A sustainable, bespoke-crafted lime-green haven, rich in hotel-suite comfort and permanently docked just minutes away from Edinburgh's iconic Royal Mile.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 8
From
£350 / night

Ty Cwch

Aberporth, Ceredigion, Wales
A unique, award-winning architect designed ‘boat house' that's ideal for an adventure-packed beach break, next to the invigorating Welsh Coast Path.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 12 (or 4 per cabin)
From
£136 / night

Salmestone Dutch Barge

Sandwich, Kent, England
A floating home-from-home filled with quirky comfort, peacefully moored in medieval Sandwich.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 6
From
£200 / night

The Boathouse, Devon

Lee, Devon, England
A characterful, dog-friendly cottage nestled on the cliffs above Lee Bay Beach, with superlative ocean views and the South West Coast Path practically on the doorstep.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£280 /nt

Classic Yacht Nadine

Poole, Dorset, England
Live like a millionaire, aboard a 60ft luxury motorboat that’s styled for pure holiday opulence (complete with a jacuzzi hot tub!) beautifully based at Cobbs Quay Marina in Poole, Dorset
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£380 /night

The Four Sisters Boatel

Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
A luxurious, pet-friendly houseboat, permanently moored just ten minutes' walk from Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4 (+2)
From
£220 / night

Floatels by Tŷ Milford Waterfront

Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales
A serene quartet of luxury floating havens for two, set on the glistening doorstep of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Bedrooms: 1 per cabin
Sleeps: 2 per cabin (4 cabins)
From
£80 / night

The Woodland Boat

Hingham, Norfolk, England
A lovingly-restored dog-friendly vessel, complete with an al fresco hot tub and plenty of dry-land luxuries, beautifully secluded on a working stud farm in rural Norfolk.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£170 / night

Orchardleigh Boathouse

Frome, Somserset, Somerset, England
A tranquil and romantic dog-friendly hot tub retreat for two, nestled on the edge of a sparkling lake on a historic 500-acre Somerset estate.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£270 / night

Boutique Narrowboats

Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England
Explore the Leicestershire waterways at your own gentle pace, aboard your choice of luxurious ‘hotel suite’-style canal boat for couples.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£126/nt

The Wild Duck

Heacham, Norfolk, England
The Wild Duck is a former 19th century boat, uniquely transformed into a luxurious Heacham haven ideal for seaside family holidays.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 6
From
£562 (3 nights)

The Boathouse Waterside

Wroxham, Norfolk, England
A nautical-themed holiday home set on a working boatyard in the ‘Capital of the Broads'.
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 8
From
£690 (/ week)

Dream Motor Yacht

Brixham, Devon, England
A sumptuous vessel with a bow sun deck that faces the shimmering water at Brixham's five-star marina, perfectly nestled on the scenic English Riviera.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£80 /night

Boutique Barges

London, England
Leave your cares far away on dry land in a relaxing and stylish river retreat, perfectly moored in the vibrant heart of Central London.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 4-5 per boat
From
£460 / 2 nts

Eleuthera Houseboat

Bembridge, Isle Of Wight, England
A family-friendly ‘hopper barge’ with handcrafted furniture and sleek design elements, beautifully moored at Bembridge Harbour with shimmering views to the Solent
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 10
From
£961 (2 nts)

HT Houseboats

Mielno, Koszalin, Poland
Discover luxurious retreats on Poland's shimmering Lake Jamno, complete with a floating sauna, a seasonal pool, and a motorboat for exploring.
Bedrooms: 1-2
Sleeps: 1-4
From
£130 / night

Inglenook Boathouse

Rudyard, Staffordshire, England
Enjoy a slice of quiet lakeside life with a stay in a architect-designed boathouse on the edge of the popular Peak District National Park. 
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£539 (7 nights)

The Boathouse at Sheepdrove

Hungerford, Berkshire, England
An idyllic retreat for two, gorgeously secluded on an organic farm in the Lambourn Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£185 / night

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