Plan a paw-fect dog friendly caravan holiday in Norfolk
February 15, 2025 | Dog friendly holiday | 19 minute read
If you’re planning a caravan holiday in Norfolk and want to bring your furry friend, look no further than Pinewoods Holiday Park in Wells-next-the-Sea. We offer dog friendly caravan holiday homes, luxury lodges and touring pitches that are human friendly too! So don’t leave your pooch with friends or in the kennels, bring them along and have an adventure together. North Norfolk is the perfect place for a holiday with your dog.
Emily (and Murphy) at Great British Dog Walks agree!
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Five dog friendly things to do in North Norfolk
North Norfolk is known to be one of the most dog friendly places in the UK, and for good reason. We’re a welcoming bunch here (some of us prefer dogs to humans!), and paw-some pups and pooches are allowed inside the majority of shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs in the towns and villages along the North Norfolk coast. Many of the areas top attractions welcome furry visitors too, so if you’re looking for a dog friendly holiday, Norfolk is a great option. And Pinewoods Holiday Park is the paw-fect place to stay with your dog, given our amazing location near the beach, pine woods and Norfolk Coast Path.
It was tricky to choose, but we’ve picked out five of our favourite dog friendly things to do in Wells-next-the-Sea and North Norfolk. Both are to the west of Wells-next-the-Sea, and could be combined with a mooch around the shops at Burnham Market.
Head to the beach
Booking a dog friendly caravan at our caravan park means you’re staying as close to Wells Beach as you possibly can! Wells Beach, and neighborouing Holkham Beach, are renowned as two of the most beautiful beaches in the country (and you’ll see why!). Huge expanses of sand backed by pine trees, a dog walk here could go on for hours. So if you’re dog enjoys a quick paddle, a full on swim or rolling around in the sand, he or she is in for a real treat!
Note that there are some restrictions on these beaches due to Holkham’s commitment to conservation and the protection of shorebirds. The far east end of Wells Beach does not permit dogs at all, and at Holkham Gap, they must be on leads between 1st April and 31st August. Even so, it’s a large beach, so there’s still plenty of space for playing fetch, running around and wagging those tails! Find out more about the beach restrictions here.
Top tip!: Hire a beach hut for the day, so that there’s somewhere your pup can cool off if it’s too hot. These can be hired from us at Pinewoods.
Just because we’re closest to Wells and Holkham beaches doesn’t mean you can’t go elsewhere! Brancaster Beach is beautiful (there are some restrictions in the summer) and Thornham Beach is dog friendly all year round.
Enjoy a walk along the coast path
The Norfolk Coast Path passes right by Pinewoods, so there’s no excuse not to head out on a dog walk along it! Depending on how far your dog can walk (and how many things there are to sniff en route), you could head east towards Stiffkey, Blakeney and Cley, three lovely villages well worth exploring. Pick up snacks at Cley’s Picnic Fayre deli, browse homewares at Stiffkey Stores or enjoy a coffee and pastry from Blakeney’s Two Magpies. Head west, and you’ll find yourself in Burnham Overy and then Brancaster, both with stunning, expansive beaches and some great pubs! Walk back afterwards, or jump aboard the Coasthopper bus back to Wells.
Check traveline for bus timetables.
Visit the Beach Café
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Wells Beach Café love dogs (check their Instagram or Facebook if you don’t believe us!) and they’re situated just a stone’s throw from the caravan park at Pinewoods. Here, you’ll find Bertie’s Bark Up Bar, dog friendly ice creams, puppuccinos and treats and coats to purchase too.
Eat at The Victoria
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Your pup deserves the best, so why not book in for lunch or dinner at The Victoria, a Two AA Rosette restaurant? Okay, so the award was for the human food (which is locally produced using only the highest quality ingredients), but the restaurant is extremely dog friendly. With treats provided, it’s a lovely place for both humans and dogs to enjoy tasty food and a lovely atmosphere.
Explore Holkham Park and Walled Garden
Just a short stroll from The Victoria, you’ll find the gates to Holkham Park. While dogs aren’t allowed inside Holkham Hall itself (except assistance dogs), they are most certainly welcome everywhere else, including inside the six-acre Walled Garden, on the nature trail, in the café and gift shop and even at some events. Plus, there are acres and acres of parkland to enjoy. Dogs do need to be kept on a lead here due to the herd of Fallow Deer and flocks of geese, but with so much to explore, they’ll barely notice!
How to make your dog feel at home on your caravan holiday
While some dogs love adventure, others like to feel at home. Keep your dog’s tail wagging on your caravan park holiday by following this advice:
Stick to their normal food
We’d recommend bringing your dog’s regular food to your Pinewoods holiday rather than assuming you can buy it in Wells, as their preferred option might not be available here. We all know that a holiday is no fun when you’re feeling poorly!
Get some exercise
We all know the importance of exercise for dogs (and ourselves). The good news is that there are so many places for lovely long walks in the fresh air here on the Norfolk Coast, as we’ve mentioned above. And if you prefer a relaxing day on site instead, that’s fine too. There are plenty of paths to explore within Pinewoods Holiday Park, so you and your pup can stretch your legs in beautiful surroundings without having to go too far.
We do ask that dogs are kept on leads on your walks round the park, as we wouldn’t want anyone getting lost!
Pack their favourite things
Bring a bit of home away with you and bring your dog’s favourite toys, bed or blanket. This will help them to feel settled as soon as possible after you arrive at your caravan holiday home.
We’ve put together a list of other things to bring which you’ll find below.
Stick to a routine
At home, your pup is probably used to a schedule. While holidays might be a time for chilling out and breaking from the norm, it’ll help your dog feel more comfortable if you can stick to some normal routines, like regular mealtimes.
Plan fun days out
There’s so much for your dog (and you!) to enjoy in North Norfolk that he or she will soon forget they’re somewhere unusual! Head off on adventures far and wide along the coast, or simply enjoy a walk around the local area of Wells-next-the-Sea. Your pup will enjoy the new sights, sounds and smells, and might even get a few strokes from locals and holidaymakers!
What to pack for your dog friendly holiday
You probably know what you need to bring, but here’s a handy list of things to pack for your pooch, just as a friendly reminder!
- Their lead(s) for all those exciting days out
- Food bowls and water bowls for inside your caravan, and perhaps a way for them to get water whilst out exploring
- Food, and treats! (We do stock some tasty Pooch’s treats in the Pinewoods Store, too)
- Balls and toys – there’s so much fun to be had!
- A blanket or their bed to remind them of home
- A towel to wipe those mucky paws
- Seasonal bits, like a cooling mat for warmer months, a tent shelter for the sunny days, or a coat (if needed) for the colder ones
Dog friendly caravan holiday FAQs
Can I leave my dog inside my caravan holiday home at Pinewoods?
No – your furry friend must be supervised at all times by a reponsbile adult. But as most shops, cafés and restaurants here are dog friendly, there’s no need to leave them behind!
Do you allow all dogs at Pinewoods Holiday Park?
We love dogs here, and we welcome all dogs except those subject to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Are all of your caravan holiday homes dog friendly?
No, not all of the lodges and caravans at Pinewoods are dog friendly, though many are. There are a number to choose from to suit different preferences. When you’re ready to book, simply add how many dogs you are bringing and the system will show you the options available for your dates.
We hope we’ve inspired you to bring your dog on your next caravan holiday, hopefully, to stay with us at Pinewoods Holiday Park! We really are dog lovers, and our lovely reception team can give you plenty of dog friendly recommendations during your visit. If you’d like to chat to us first, please feel free to pick up the dog and bone (haha!) and give us a call on 01328 710439.
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