Welcome to Hillside, (with 10% off)!

Hillside in Fishguard is an imposing dog friendly property that is perfectly suited to a large family looking to spend quality time together in a beautiful place, sleeping 11 in 6 bedrooms.

The property itself is very striking, set perfectly on the 'hillside' above Fishguard Harbour. Hillside is full of traditional Victorian character and has a very attractive manner, this being accentuated with the 10% discount off week bookings for the rest of 2012, excluding the Christmas and New Year weeks.

For your dogs (and children) Goodwick Sands is the perfect place being only a 10 minute walk away, combining sand and shingle with plenty of room to welcome the lap of the clean open sea across the shoreline.

Your family have no limitations to what they are able to explore from Hillside.

The colourful dawn of Autumn is coming, the beaches become desolate yet welcoming, the quaint towns are quieter, yet their doors remain open, the woodland walks and the winding of the Coastal Path are waiting patiently to be discovered during this favourable season.

I love nothing more than putting on my wellies and raincoat (just in case) and setting off for the morning, walking and wandering wherever Flynn and I feel like exploring. Admittedly, I quite enjoy it just being 'us' for a time with nobody else around!

Pembrokeshire is the perfect way to embrace the Autumn in the company of your friends, family and dogs and Hillside can't be beaten for the perfect place to stay whilst you do.

Happy First Birthday Flynn!

Yes it is true, my bundle of puppy fluff is now a strapping, handsome young man embracing adulthood.

On Tuesday 4th September, Flynn turned one year old. 

Without sounding too cheesy, it does only seem like yesterday that we had him!

He enjoyed a cereal type 'dog' birthday cake complete with icing, I have a feeling this may have been a little rich for him as I was standing outside at 2am the following morning whilst he went about his business.

Bless him - behave yourself in adulthood Flynn.

Pawfect Pembrokeshire whatever the weather!

Well the August Bank Holiday in Pembrokeshire certainly lived up to expectation and absolutely tipped down, from dawn until dusk. I have become quite accustom to wearing my wet weather gear during the height of the Summer and Flynn is always soaking from diving in every stream anyway so we feel quite at home with the rain drops constantly on our backs!

You have to take every day as it comes, enjoy being in Pembrokeshire exploring the County and have fun regardless of the weather. Come rain or shine the beaches are still open, the Coastal Path still remains and the great Pembrokeshire outdoors await! And you always feel so snug after having been out in the elements returning home to a warm drink, a bite to eat and a cwtch on the sofa.

A little something special that has really taken off this season is our Private Dining Experience offered through our Coastal Concierge service.

An interesting observation that has come to light upon the arrangement of the Private Dining Experience is that guests that have booked to have the luxury of a chef cook a meal in the comfort of their property have brought their dogs on holiday too. I think we have found a break through...

...Could it be that guests who bring their dogs on holiday, who cannot leave them unattended in the property whilst they dine out of an evening, are happy to welcome the Private Dining Experience into their cottage, so that the dogs can be kept entertained too?!

The Private Dining Experience is a real touch of luxury, your meal/buffet/banquet will be prepared, cooked and served to your party and you won't have to wash up a dish or clean the kitchen.

Don't forget that our Coastal Concierge team are very happy to provide you with dog friendly information prior to your stay, offer advice on the dog friendly beaches, pubs, restaurants and places to visit.

For further information on the Private Dining or our full Concierge Service, please call 01437 772758 or e-mail your requirements to welcome@coastalconcierge.co.uk.

Advice for your Dog Holiday to Pembrokeshire

I have had a fright recently with my young man Flynn, it appears he is allergic to a pollen that has been around during the spell of hot weather we have experienced down in Pembrokeshire over the last few weeks.

He had been coming up in a few little lumps and bumps over his face and the bottom half of his legs and paws last week, I rang the Vet and had them verbally checked out, she had advised me not to be too worried, as long as Flynn was eating and drinking OK and they weren't sore or itchy...

Two days later, after I had taken him out for his evening stroll to the Quay for a swim and play in the grass his face suddenly ballooned to twice it's normally size and he couldn't open his eyes. The reaction had been gradually getting worse during the course of the week and resulted in this final, horrendous episode.

I was so frightened, yet he was still wagging his tail and wanting to wander around like normal!

I now give him Piriton three times a day and he has had a steroid injection.

As the Vet explained, it is so difficult to determine the exact 'something' that Flynn is allergic to, though it has to be something that has surfaced in the recent spell of hot weather. All eyes on Flynn, all the time from now!

Just another quick footnote, please bear in mind that the hot weather can encourage Adder's to come out and you and your dog may encounter a snake whilst walking the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path or playing in the sand dunes.

Please just ensure that you keep your eyes peeled for unwanted snakes that may harm yourself and dogs.

If you see an Adder (or any snake) while out on a walk, stay well clear and keep your dog away from it.

Signs of your dog being bitten can be mild, such as pain and swelling. If your dog is bitten by a snake, try to keep him calm, carry him and seek Veterinary assistance immediately.

Stay safe, well and observant and have a happy dog friendly holiday in Pembrokeshire.

Take the Lead of your Pooch on the Coastal Path

I don't usually like reading sad stories, especially when they involve animals.

Though, in reading our local paper yesterday I was drawn to read about a Labrador, that was on holiday in Pembrokeshire with it's owners, that had died after he had been off his lead whilst walking on a stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, became excited whilst chasing birds and fallen over the cliff edge.

That is so, so sad and such a shame.

The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path is a stunning place to walk for miles and miles and is a great form of exercise for you and your dog whilst you are on holiday, but care is needed whilst you are exploring the Coastal Path, especially if you and your dog are not used to coastal walking.

Please ensure that you and your dog are safe, by keeping your dog on the lead at all times.

Pembrokeshire is beautiful and offers you and your dog so much to explore and discover all year round.

Please stay wise and be safe whilst walking your dog on the Coastal Path, it's all about having a pawfect dog friendly holiday in Pembrokeshire for you (and your dog) to remember for many years to come, for all the right, happy reasons.

Swim, Swim and Swim some more

Any dog owner can relate to this statement:

Regardless of whether the sun is shining or it is tipping down with rain, your dog still needs to be walked.

If you are a dog owner and cannot relate to that statement, you are soooo lucky! Having said that, I admire Flynn's (and Jed's back in his hay day) enthusiasm, endless energy and constant desire to go out and explore and it gives me a reason to get off the sofa and get some fresh air too!

So in actual fact, I wouldn't change having to walk the dog in the sun or rain - I really don't mind at all.

Jed has always loved the water and if he still could, would be bouncing along the shoreline, paddling around in the streams and rivers to his hearts content, all day every day. Unfortunately, these days his arthritis tells him not to.

Flynn on the other hand is a constant bundle of bounce and play. He is a nine month old Collie, with a hint of Kelpie (Australian Sheepdog) thrown in for good measure (and that extra bit of energy) too. He has grown into a very handsome young man (though is still a very close second to Jedipins).

Last night I became a very proud Mum as Flynn lifted his paws of the stones and swam, swam and swam some more in the river during our evening stroll down the country lanes. He has been teasing for a while now and I have been egging him on for ages to take the next step and last night was the night. He was loving the water over his back, as he became more confident he was actually lunging himself off the bank creating a massive plop and swimming around in circles.

I did have a slight problem when it was time to go for tea.


Flynn wasn't really fussed for his beef chunks in gravy and country casserole biscuits last night, the very enjoyable swimming lessons took presidence!

Dog Friendly Holiday to Porthgain with 15% off!

Tir Deri in Porthgain is a dog friendly bungalow located just outside the popular harbour village of Porthgain.

*Throughout July and August 2012, Tir Deri is offering a sizzling 15% discount of full week bookings*

Sleeping 5 people and welcoming two (well behaved) dogs, Tir Deri is a lovely home from home, comfortably furnished throughout and boasts a large lawn to the front of the property, which is an ideal space for dogs to play, though the lawn is not enclosed.

Porthgain is situated along the rugged North Pembrokeshire coastline in between the City of St Davids and Goodwick. It is pretty place with a thriving community spirit, just what you need when taking a much needed holiday to Pembrokeshire with your beloved dogs.

You could pretty much park your car up on your arrival and spend your whole dog friendly holiday simply exploring Porthgain and the surrounding area on foot. After all, your dogs will be more than welcoming of the walking!

From Porthgain there is ample opportunity to explore the scenic Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, the endless views are amazing and the coastline around here is very dramatic, Aberieddy is a lovely beach and well worth the visit.

The mention of beaches has suddenly sparked me to think about Traethllyfn Beach, which is a marvel that can also be accessed from the Coastal Path between Porthgain and Aberieddy. You will definitely want to take your camera to take pictures of this beautiful bay.

An alternative experience for you and your dogs to enjoy during your dog friendly holiday to Pembrokeshire are the Wildlife Boat Trips that during high season depart St Justinians (near St Davids) on a daily basis. Naturally well behaved dogs are welcomed aboard and can enjoy the journey out at sea just as much as the humans!

For further information in relation to Tir Deri in Porthgain, availability and booking, please contact a member of the reservations team on 01437 765765.

West Grove Barns welcome your dogs!

Sometimes finding the right property to welcome your family and dogs can be a frustrating task!

The four properties at West Grove Barns welcome dogs with open arms and are set in a terrific rural location on the outskirts of the peaceful village of Hundleton.

The tranquil setting that surrounds you from each of the dog friendly properties Ash, Beech, Rowan and Oak, is very relaxing and you are only a few minutes walk from the Cleddau Estuary and foreshore. All of the beautifully converted cottages have fantastic views across the waterway, their own patio area and are a quality home from home to ensure your dog friendly holiday to Pembrokeshire is pawfect!

There are many dog friendly places to visit within a short drive from your holiday base in Hundleton, a picturesque, circular walk around the prominent Pembroke Castle and Millpond, the wildlife enthusiast will enjoy the 3 mile walk around the beautiful Bosherston Lily Ponds and onto the golden beach of Broad Haven South. West Angle Bay is a haven for dogs to play on all year round, along with the stunning expanse of beach at Freshwater West, which has famously featured in both the final Harry Potter film and the epic Robin Hood movie starring Russell Crowe.

By booking a dog friendly property at West Grove Barns by 1st June 2012, you will receive a 10% early booking discount off week bookings for a holiday in 2012.

A warm, dog friendly welcome awaits your whole family at West Grove Barns, come and see for yourself!

Pembrokeshire Pooches on Patrol at Olympics!

Pembrokeshire sniffer dogs are something spectacular!

A dog handler and his explosive-detection dog teams have been asked to work before, during and after the Olympic and Paralympic games in London, showing off their superb sniffing skills.

I am always amazed by a dog's intelligence and it is fantastic to see them in action.  Every dog I see being used to sniff out all sorts like explosives, drugs, cash and people is fantastic and they are always so happy and enthusiastic, with their tails wagging ten to the dozen, being out and about making their trainer proud.

It must be a joy to work with such incredible animals every day, I'm very jealous!

Well done to you Pembrokeshire pooches and I am sure you that will work hard out on patrol at the Olympic games!

Granston House, Near Abermawr

If you are looking for a dog friendly property that is cosy, has superb countryside views, close to the Pembrokeshire Coastal path and all year round dog friendly beaches then Granston House is the property for you!

Granston House is situated near Abermawr and is a cosy, family cottage sleeping four people and one dog and has a rear lawned garden for all to enjoy during your stay.

Just by mentioning the word 'dog', you begin to imagine beautiful walks and sandy beaches.

Granston House is if but a mile away from both Abermawr and Aberbach beaches which welcome dogs to enjoy their sands and sea all year round, as well as offering access to join the stunning coastal path with it's amazing scenery and endless rambles along the coastline.

Fishguard Harbour is a lovely stretch to enjoy a stroll during an afternoon, the views out to sea are beautiful, especially when you have a beautiful blue sky.

Granston House may just be the dog friendly property that you are looking for this year, so please do get in touch to check out availability and details on 01437 772742.

The Granary in Trecwn

If you are looking to give your dogs a fantastic holiday to remember, then staying at dog friendly barn conversion The Granary is the very simple solution.

The Granary enjoys an 80 acre working farm setting with an abundance of footpaths to explore and keep you and your dogs busy during your dog friendly holiday to Pembrokeshire.

Sleeping two The Granary makes for a cosy escape from the real world, where you can admire the rolling countryside and views out towards Mathry and the City of St Davids.

You will not want to miss a trip less than 5 miles away to the Preseli Mountains and the enchanting Gwaun Valley. The wonderful walks you will discover here will have you walking for miles!

If your dogs are a fan of the sea and sand, there are the welcoming coves of Abermawr, Aberbach and Abercastle for them to enjoy, the harbour at Fishguard boasts a nice walk along the front with fantastic views out to sea too.

If you feel that The Granary is your perfect property call 01437 765765 to check availability.

Flynn is Fine!

I do apologise for not letting you know sooner, that following last Tuesday's castrate and chip Flynn is 100%, absolutely, perfectly FINE!

In all honesty, I expected to come home to a poorly puppy with sore stitches looking sad and feeling very sorry for himself. I couldn't have anticipated anything more wrong.

I arrived home from work to be greeted by Flynn jumping all over me, tail wagging and ball in mouth rearing to go out and play. He was as happy and energetic as always. What a relief.

Having been nil by mouth since 6 o'clock the previous evening, Flynn was starving and demolished his tea in no time. Part of me did expect to see it again at some point during the evening, but my perfect puppy proved me wrong again.

We spent the whole of Tuesday evening playing ball, having cuddles and watching TV.

Phew!

Flynn's not impressed

This morning wasn't at all cheerful.

I had to break the news to Flynn that today, was the day he would lose a little of his manhood. But on the bright side, he would have a little chip nestled in him so that we wouldn't ever lose him. To be honest though, to him this wasn't much of a consolation at all!

As I sat and ate my crumpets for breakfast, Flynn wandered over to his mat to find no food or water bowl in his corner and as a result, resorted to licking the mat in hope of finding any morsel he could scrape together for his breakfast.

Admittedly my crumpets went down like a lead balloon as I watched him mope around looking sorrowful. I felt like a horrible parent and dropping him off at the Vets this morning wasn't easy. The sooner I pick him up tonight and nurse him back to his cheeky self the better.

Enjoy Hillside in Fishguard

Hillside is a dog friendly property aptly named for being set on the hillside above Fishguard Harbour.

Welcoming your dogs and family of up to 11 in 6 bedrooms, Hillside makes a terrific dog friendly property for a big family get together, without having to leave the dogs at home!

If your dogs love a trip to the beach, then they will be spoilt for choice being based in Fishguard.

Goodwick Parrog overlooks Fishguard Harbour, Slade is a little beach in Lower Town, then you have two beaches in Newport to enjoy as well as Cwm-yr-Eglwys and Pwllgwaelod.

Something for the humans amongst that party as oppose to the dogs, you will enjoy the most stunning views over the harbour and round to Dinas Head.

Joining the Pembrokeshire coastal path is a necessity when visiting North Pembrokeshire. The popular 3 mile stretch around the Dinas Peninsula offers great views of Fishguard Bay towards Strumble Head and Newport Bay. You can access this particular section of the coastal path from either Pwllgwaelod or Cwm-yr-Eglwys.

Pwllgwaelod is served by the Poppit Rocket bus, which operates from Fishguard to St Dogmaels to enable locals and visitors to explore the coastline. During May - September the coastal buses operate 7 days a week, The Poppit Rocket does run between October - April at a reduced Winter timetable.

Dogs are welcome to travel too on the coastal buses.

The enchanted woodland of the Gwaun Valley and Bessie's Pub at Pontfaen are worth the visit.

Staying at Hillside in Fishguard provides your family with spacious accommodation, the company of your best friends, spectacular views and a great base for the exploration of North Pembrokeshire.

Dogs Monthly Editorial

It is absolutely fantastic when Pembrokeshire is recognised as a dog friendly county to visit.

I am a firm believer that there are so many delights for dogs and their humans to experience when they holiday to our beautiful gem of Pembrokeshire. The 186 mile long Pembrokeshire Coastal Path is very accessible for walkers and their dogs, covering an outstanding 150 miles of the most dramatic coastline in Britain.

Don't forget that our Pembrokeshire Coastal Path has been named as the third best walk in the WORLD, ahead of The Inca Trail in Peru and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Our beaches are stunning, lined with golden sands and are waters are clean and clear. There are some dog restrictions in place during the main season, but we have many beaches that are dog friendly all year round.

Within the April issue of Dogs Monthly we are delighted that Y Felin, a dog friendly property in Moylegrove has been highlighted as a dog friendly place to stay in North Pembrokeshire.

Y Felin is a traditional stone cottage, that offers a cosy home for your Pembrokeshire holiday. From Y Felin you can easily walk to Ceibwr Bay, which is a haven for dogs to enjoy all year round.

Pembrokeshire is perfect for your dog friendly holiday this year, I could talk all day about our stunning County and why it is brilliant for dogs. Don't get me started, I probably won't stop!

It's almost time for Crufts!

It is that time of the year again for our annual road trip to Crufts at the Birmingham NEC.

The A-Team for this year is Sue, Annie and Debra who will be heading up to the show tomorrow.

I am more excited that I have been in previous years, as my handsome pup, Flynn (who was 6 months old on 4th March) has made it onto our Woof Guide flyer's!

If you are attending Crufts this year, then please pop and see the team at Hall 4, Stand 100.

Coed Cadw Farmhouse and Cottage

If you have ever fancied a family holiday away in the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside, where the dogs are welcomed to come along too then Coed Cadw Farmhouse and Cottage may be just what you are looking for.

Combined the two dog friendly properties sleep 8 adults and 2 children as well as opening their arms to your dogs. When both properties are booked together, an adjoining door allows access between the two properties so you can all enjoy being on holiday all in one home!

The properties are situated in a peaceful setting in the Nevern Valley with lovely countryside walks from your doorstep.

The Salutation Inn is a welcoming pub that welcomes dogs to visit in their bar area. The Inn is perfect for enjoying the country air in a sublime setting and is only a five minute walk from the Coed Cadw properties.

The Inn is nestled aside to the banks of the River Nevern and there is a lovely woodland walk from the Inn that leads to St Brynachs Church, which is famous for it's Celtic Cross and bleeding Yew tree.

There is a lane lined with trees from the Salutation Inn that eventually takes you down to the Moylegrove road, that is filled with the pretty white flowers of wild garlic during the Spring - the aroma is astonishing!

Beaches within a short drive for your family to enjoy during your stay in North Pembrokeshire would be Ceibwr Bay, Cwm-yr-Eglwys and both Newport Sands and Parrog. Your dogs will be pleased to know that each of these beaches are dog friendly all year round!

The dog friendly properties at Coed Cadw are perfect for your family holiday to Pembrokeshire.

Pub Adventures with Flynn

On Sunday it wasn't the nicest of days in Pembrokeshire, the wind was blowing a gale and the rain was a driving force bitterly whipping you in the face.

It was a shame that the weather was miserable as we had planned to take Flynn on a trip to Newgale beach, a huge expanse of sand and sea. He has never been up to Newgale before so we thought it would make a nice change of scenery for us all and we knew he'd love racing around playing ball for hours on end!

Instead we decided to take him on a mini, dog friendly pub crawl.

The Sunday lunch at the Jeffreyston Inn in is amazing and we quite often enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon in front of the fire, Flynn included. He gets so close to the fire that I am surprised he has any eye lashes left!

For a change though we took a drive to the Boars Head in Templeton. I was a little unsure of where Flynn was allowed inside, but when we got there the barmaid welcomed us all into the pub and we sat comfortably by the radiator to the left of the main entrance. Flynn was offered a bowl of water too.
Although we were separate from the main restaurant area, we sat in a cosy area where food is served and we happily spent a good hour or so having a chat whilst Flynn was curled up underneath the radiator.

Next stop was the Wisemans Bridge Inn which overlooks a wonderful pebbly heaven. Admittedly it wasn't looking at it best when we popped by on Sunday!

Again we all had a lovely welcome into the Wisemans Bridge Inn, in fact a black and white collie greeted us as we arrived. We did get the impression that she had been there many times before and was somewhat a permanent resident!

As we settled down to a warm drink, Flynn was having a great time sniffing about and making friends with a King Charles Cavalier who was sat to the side of us. The Cavaliers humans clearly took a shine to Flynn as they let him finish off a few dog chocolate buttons from their treat bag.

I can tell you something, he has mastered the 'I'm hungry' puppy dog eyes down to a tee.

At (almost) 5 months old he weighs 12kg and is growing day by day and dare I say it, becoming a very very handsome lad!

New Woof Property near Carew Castle and Mill

A delightful new dog friendly property has joined our Woof Guide portfolio for 2012.

Meadow Cottage is one of seven barn conversions that sits on the outskirts of Sageston village. It has been well furnished throughout and welcomes two dogs and their family of four to call the cottage home during their dog friendly holiday to Pembrokeshire.

There are many delights on your doorstep from Meadow Cottage, the prominent Carew Castle and Tidal Mill being only a 20 minute walk away.
The circular walk around the Mill is a mile long and very popular with locals, visitors and their dogs all year round. There are fantastic photo opportunities as you walk and I have quite often seen the resident heron stood stock still on the fringes of the water stalking it's prey.

Surrounding the Carew Mill walk, there are also many public footpaths going through the fields that branch off in every direction towards Carew Newton, West Williamston and Milton too.

Perfectly located opposite Carew Castle is the Carew Inn, they have built a reputation for great food and have music and barbeque's on various evenings throughout the Summer. Dogs are welcome in the beer garden, under the marquee and the bar area.

The harbour towns of both Tenby and Saundersfoot are only a short drive away, offering sandy beaches, quaint shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants.

From Sageston you are in a central location to discover so many places of interest. Lawrenny and Garron Pill is a village worth visiting, as is the old fashioned riverside pub at Cresswell Quay along with Bosherston Lily Ponds, Freshwater West, Stackpole Quay and Barafundle Bay.

Meadow Cottage is a perfect home from home for your dog friendly holiday in Pembrokeshire!

Great dog friendly property in Tenby

Glenwood House is a very impressive property set in it's own extensive grounds, nestled above the popular harbour town of Tenby.

Sleeping 12, this dog friendly property is a substantial Victorian masterpiece for your family and dogs to call home during your holiday to Pembrokeshire. Tenby with it's four sandy beaches, pubs, restaurants, shops and harbour are all only a short walk away, making Glenwood House a very convenient spot to be based!

I for one truly appreciate the beaches in Tenby out of season, the beaches are your own and the dogs can play to their hearts content for hours on end.

With the nights still dark around 6 in the evening, Flynn and I, Mum and Jed are getting all to familiar with walking along the Tenby beaches in the dark. If it wasn't for the fantastic noses of the dogs, we'd never find the tennis balls!

Tenby's South beach is fairly well lit in the evenings, thanks to the lights from the hotels on the Esplanade. With it being ridiculously mild for January (at the moment), the evenings are really pleasant for walking and we are quite enjoying ourselves playing hunt the ball. Admittedly, it will be nice when we can walk without a torch!

Pics of Flynn!

I know it has taken me a little while to show off pictures of my puppy to you, the truth is that I just wanted to keep you all in suspense!

But I am glad to announce that the time has come for me to present my puppy to the world.

WARNING: The following imagery is seriously cute!

Flynn loves getting muddy in the woods leading to Slebech Estate from Blackpool Mill and Canaston Woods...

His favourite watering hole to have a splash along the Leat Walk at Blackpool Mill...

The beach offers so much space to be free and Flynn loves posing with the sand under his paws...

Just a little teaser for now, plenty more to come!

The Cart House - Excellent Reviews

It is always fantastic to hear from guests that have enjoyed their holiday in one of our dog friendly properties in Pembrokeshire and the latest review we have received is from a guest that has recently stayed at The Cart House, Nr Newgale with her dog.

First impressions are highly important when you arrive at your holiday property, especially when you have your best friend in toe with tail wagging as he is so pleased to be coming along on holiday with you and not having to stay at home!

You are almost more willing for the dog friendly property to be great for him than you are for yourself!

Becky mentioned when commenting on The Cart House as a cottage overall:

'Your best friend (the four legged variety) has a quick investigation of all the crooks and crannies of a perfectly wonderful and welcoming cottage and promptly settles down as if it's a home from home.'

I think that creates a really warm impression of The Cart House near Newgale and most certainly received the 'paws up' from Becky's best friend too.

There are lovely countryside walks surrounding this dog friendly property and it is close to the beaches at both Newgale and Nolton which any dog would love.

What are you waiting for?!