A Dog's Day Out: Unique Dog Friendly Activities for The Whole Family

This summer, we have seen all kinds of unique dog friendly events taking place across the country. Offering an opportunity to meet new people and a great way to socialise your dog, there’s plenty to love about the rise of dog friendly adventures in the UK. 

If you fancy a fun day out, but don’t want to leave the dog behind, there is plenty to keep you both busy. Summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to!

So, when planning the next fun day out with your pet, consider…

A dog friendly steam train adventure

Dogs are welcome to travel with you on Tanfield Railway, located in Gateshead, with railway staff that understand that our four-legged friends are part of the family.

Their railway offers a unique experience for both humans and canines, making it the perfect destination for a day out together, and best of all, dogs travel free of charge, allowing them to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of a traditional steam train!

Foxfield Railway offers a dog friendly, award-winning steam railway with views of the beautiful surroundings. Based in Stoke-on-Trent, in the heart of the Staffordshire countryside, you can also enjoy a traditional family day out on one of Britain’s oldest heritage steam railways.

Visiting a dog friendly cinema screening

Always dreamt about enjoying a film (and your popcorn) with your dog at your local cinema? 

In recent years, cinemas have begun opening their doors to dogs as well as people, with Picturehouse Cinemas offering dog friendly screenings across the UK, at their cinemas in London, Brighton, Edinburgh and Liverpool. For people local to Canterbury, Colchester, Oxford and Sheffield, Curzon Cinemas also offers a variety of dog friendly films for you and your pet to enjoy.

To keep dogs safe and comfortable, lights are kept slightly brighter than usual and the sound is dulled a little so as not to scare your pets. Owners are encouraged to bring their own blankets and toys. 

Check out your local cinema to see if they have special dog friendly screenings you can attend!

Experience fine dining with your dog and a view of London

The Bustronome is a high-end dining experience aboard a custom designed double decker bus, featuring a panoramic view of the city.

Small, well behaved dogs are welcomed on this unique dining experience, and reservations can be made through the Bustronome website.

Your dog will have plenty to see, and gourmet food to smell, on this journey through London like you’ve never experienced before!

 

Travel through history with a trip to the museum

• The Brunel Museum - London, England

For the intellectually curious dogs and their families, the Brunel Museum uncovers the story of an engineering dynasty that built the world’s first tunnel of its kind. 

The museum welcomes dogs, allowing you both to explore the stories behind the Thames Tunnel, the Brunel family and the museum’s rich collection of paintings, trinkets and pottery. 

There is plenty of fun to be had in museums around the country, not just in London. 

• The Jupiter Artland - Edinburgh, Scotland

Set across 120 acres of meadow and woodland, Jupiter Artland, just outside of Edinburgh, is the ideal spot for some fresh air with your best friend. 

Purchase a dog day ticket for entry to this stunning open-air art space, which is home to over 30 permanent sculptures created especially for this dramatic location by a series of talented artists.

 

• Yorkshire Sculpture Park - Wakefield, Yorkshire

Home to around 100 stunning modern sculptures, Yorkshire Sculpture Park combines art with the striking landscape of the 18th-century Bretton Estate just outside of Wakefield. 

Here, dogs are welcomed almost everywhere in the parkland and woodlands whilst on a short lead, with water bowls dotted around the site, and a dog-friendly seating area at the Kitch Café. 

Enjoy the open-air collection of works by internationally acclaimed artists with your dog in tow! 

• St Fagans National Museum of History - Cardiff, Wales 

Explore the story of Wales and its people through St Fagans National Museum of History’s extensive collections and historic buildings, all set in beautiful parkland which you can explore with your dog on a short lead. 

One of Wales’ most popular heritage attractions, this museum stands in the grounds of St Fagans Castle and Gardens, a Grade I listed sixteenth century manor house just outside Cardiff. 

Enjoy walking through the 100-acre parkland with your pet, with 40 original re-erected buildings giving a taste of Welsh life from different periods of history. Dogs are welcome within the grounds but are not permitted in the historic buildings or galleries.

And finally, a great day out at a dog show!

Every dog deserves an exciting day out, and where better than a dog show!?

The year’s events aren’t quite over, with Paws in the Park taking place in The Kent Showground on 20 – 21 September 2025. 

One of the largest outdoor dog shows, the event is packed with fun dog friendly activities, competitions and displays: agility, flyball, gundog demonstrations, Huskies and Malamutes display, dog dancing, aquazone, dog show and many trade stands! 

Next weekend, on the edge of the spectacular Peak District, the Chatsworth Country Fair has three days full of dog friendly activities, including have-a-go dog races, agility courses and competitions alongside cooking classes and rural crafts for the humans.

Take the family along on the 29 - 31 August 2025 to see why this is one the Peak District’s top attractions!

Top tips for keeping your dog comfortable during a dog friendly event

 Here are a few tips for a fun day out with your dog:

• Take them for a run beforehand: ensuring they’re well exercised, have had mental stimulation and are suitably tired will help your dog chill a bit better in their new surroundings.  

• Keep it clean: protect the seats with blankets where they’re not provided and stick to the any rules given to you upon booking.  

• Give them something to do: a LickiMat, frozen Kong or long-lasting chew will help them settle.  

• Know when to leave: if you spot signs of stress in your dog at any time (panting, trembling), it’s time to leave – your dog’s welfare is more important than the cost of the ticket, so make the right call early.
  

• Similarly, if your dog is beginning to get disruptive, it might be best to call it a day and perhaps just take them for a nice walk in the park.