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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

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

Cwmtydu, Ceredigion, Wales
An award-winning, architect-designed boathouse in Cwmtydu, sleeping up to twelve people across three pods, right on the Welsh Coast Path
Bedrooms: 3 pods (4 bunks each)
Sleeps: 12
From
£100 / night

Salmestone Dutch Barge

Sandwich, Kent, England
A floating home-from-home filled with quirky comfort, peacefully moored in medieval Sandwich.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 4
From
£210 / 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)

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
From
£560 / 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

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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