Hello and welcome to Rupert’s Rambles! I’m Lauren, and Rupert is our golden retriever, chief adventure companion and, without a doubt, the real reviewer of this blog!
Rupert has never met a walk he didn’t like, a puddle he could walk around, or a stick he didn’t want to carry for a mile (regardless of whether it was twice his size!). He’s happiest with his paws on a muddy trail, his nose investigating every interesting smell, and the occasional treat to keep him going. He’s also a firm believer that a muddy walk is always a successful walk!
Rupert’s love of exploring has taken us to some wonderful places across Britain, and along the way, we’ve discovered just how rewarding it can be to explore with a four-legged friend. We’ve also discovered that finding genuinely dog-friendly places isn’t always as easy as it should be. That’s where Rupert’s Rambles comes in!
What is Rupert’s Rambles all about?
Rupert’s Rambles is all about discovering, exploring and sharing the best dog-friendly places across Britain. From beautiful countryside walks and sandy beaches to welcoming country pubs, cosy cafés, gardens, attractions and places to stay, we’re here to help you plan your next adventure with your dog.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful woodland stroll, a challenging countryside hike, somewhere to enjoy a leisurely lunch with your dog, or a dog-friendly destination for a weekend away, we hope you’ll find plenty of inspiration here.
We organise our guides by region, making it easy to discover dog-friendly places wherever you are or wherever you’re planning to visit. Our adventures currently take us across areas including:
Buckinghamshire & the Home Counties
London & the South East
Cornwall & Devon
Dorset & Somerset
The Cotswolds & surrounding countryside
Wales
And plenty more places across Britain!
What will you find here?
We’re building a collection of honest reviews, helpful guides and recommendations to make exploring with your dog that little bit easier.
Dog-friendly walks: From gentle riverside strolls and woodland trails to countryside adventures and coastal paths.
Dog-friendly pubs & restaurants: Places where you can enjoy a good meal, a coffee or a well-earned drink without leaving your dog behind.
Dog-friendly beaches: Sandy stretches, coastal hideaways and seaside spots for sniffing, splashing and running around.
Days out & attractions: Gardens, historic sites, parks, outdoor attractions and interesting places that welcome four-legged visitors.
Dog-friendly accommodation: Cottages, hotels, campsites and places to stay when you fancy turning a day trip into a longer adventure.
Places to explore: Pretty villages, market towns, nature reserves and hidden gems worth discovering with your dog.
Helpful tips & guides: Practical information to help you plan your outings, from parking and facilities to seasonal restrictions and dog access.
Honest reviews, real adventures
We believe the best recommendations come from actually visiting somewhere, which is why the places we feature are places we’ve been ourselves.
We’ll share what we genuinely think, the things we loved, anything that could be better and all those little details that can make a big difference when you’re out and about with a dog.
For walks, that might mean telling you about the route, distance, estimated walking time, parking, terrain, livestock, stiles and whether there are any off-lead opportunities.
For pubs, cafés and other attractions, we’ll let you know about dog policies, outdoor seating, facilities and what to expect when you arrive.
We’ll also highlight anything worth knowing before you set off, such as seasonal beach restrictions, booking requirements or areas where dogs need to stay on leads.
After all, there’s nothing worse than arriving somewhere after a long journey only to discover that your four-legged companion isn’t quite as welcome as you’d hoped!
A little more about our chief reviewer
Rupert takes his reviewing duties very seriously, although his criteria might be slightly different from ours.
A good adventure must include plenty of interesting smells, somewhere to explore, a few opportunities for muddy paws and, ideally, a café or pub where a treat might be available.
He doesn’t mind a long walk, is always happy to investigate somewhere new and rarely turns down an opportunity to make friends along the way.
Lauren is responsible for the planning, researching, photography and writing, while Rupert handles the important business of testing the walks, checking the treats and making sure every adventure is thoroughly sniffed out!
Come along for the ramble!
Whether you’re a fellow golden retriever owner, a proud dog parent or simply someone who loves exploring new places with their four-legged companion, we’re delighted you’ve found us.
Our aim is simple: to help you discover more dog-friendly places, make planning your adventures easier and show that having a dog doesn’t mean missing out on wonderful days out.
So, grab the lead, pack a few treats, bring your wellies and come exploring with us.
There are plenty of places to discover, trails to follow and adventures waiting to happen.
