Dog's go FREE to explore Porthgain...

Harbour View in Porthgain is a superb dog friendly property that is a welcoming home from home. Sleeping 10, Harbour View is simply perfect for those treasured family reunions or a friendly get together whirlwind and is available at such fantastic value for money for the larger parties.

What is even more appealing about Harbour View is that the dog friendly property welcomes not just one, but two beloved furries to experience the wonders of Porthgain and Pembrokeshire beyond alongside you.

Ideal for dogs who love nothing more than splashing in the sea and digging in the sand or bounding across the headland and jumping in muddy puddles - Harbour View is superbly set surrounded by every pooches paradise.

The harbour village of Porthgain is a thriving community of fishermen with a number of compelling reasons to visit, filling the popular village with plentiful intriguing bustle throughout the year.

No visit to Porthgain is complete without a meal or two in the traditional Sloop Inn, serving wholesome pub grub with the selective seafood dish. More importantly, the picturesque Sloop Inn rustles up a storm for the real ale fanatics who are certain to be content after graciously sipping their well kept Felinfoel Double Dragon Ale, a pure welsh treat quite often on tap for pure pleasure.

Traethllyfn, property of The National Trust is a dog friendly bay surrounded by impressive headland and host to a number of inviting rock pools that your dog will love to play in relentlessly for hours. You can reach Traethllyfn from Porthgain by taking the coastal path to the beach or if you prefer, you can park at Abereiddy and take the 1 km walk along the coastal path also. The choice is entirely yours depending on how adventurous you and your pooch are feeling! I should mention here that the view from the southern side of the coastal path makes for a superb photo opportunity over the harbour - don't forget your camera!

As if the mere pleasantries weren't enough to kick start your plans to visit Harbour View and Porthgain, I have yet another something special to reveal from under my sleeve that may just get your suitcases down from the loft...

I am delighted to present your two delightful dogs with a FREE holiday to Harbour View in Porthgain as they come along free of charge. Simply give a call to a member of our Coastal team, quote 'Woof Blog' and start packing your doggie bag!

Please Note: This alluring offer is available to capture until the end of 2009.

Time for a Pembrokeshire Doggie Holiday!

If your little furry friend is looking up at you with those puppy dog eyes, lying with his head in his paws looking ridiculously sorry for himself and huffing every time you leave the room...maybe it is time to whisk him away on a dog friendly holiday.

What do you think?

Humans tend to shout from the rooftops when they need to pack their bags and get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life until somebody actually starts listening, but little old four legs in the corner can't really express himself in the same way. Well I suppose he could take up barking in that sorrowful high pitched tone but let's face it, we would probably write it off as threatening the poor old postman...yet again!

Let's think Pembrokeshire...sandy and golden beaches, bright blue seas, wonderful woodland and plentiful headland, intriguing coastline, picturesque harbour's, quaint towns and valleys, awesome adventure...need the list really have to go on?! Actually just for the record I have put in a strong request for glorious sunshine this summer too, so there is another to add.

Ok, so we have your destination confirmed as popular dog friendly Pembrokeshire, but I am guessing that you really do now need a place to rest your head and call home for the week or two - anybody would have thought I had this rehearsed!

I would like to bring to your attention a detached property set off the main road in Newport, North Pembrokeshire, Curlew Cottage. If ever you were looking for a home from home you need to look no further, so many amenities right on your doorstep and a perfect paradise full of doggie delights for your beloved to explore.


Newport is home to not just one but two dog friendly beaches Newport Sands and Parrog, which do not incur any restrictions at any time during the year - meaning that Freddie can bound along the beach and splash in the wash as much as he very well likes!


Curlew Cottage is situated only a short 5 minutes away from the Estuary where by a path in front of the house will lead you there...and to carry on even more, by crossing the main road you will be taken up to the Carn Ingli Mountain Fort (Hill of the Angels, Angel Mountain) which is a wondrous spectacle well worth the adventure...you humans might even enjoy it!

I knew you would be impressed with the numerous reasons to visit Curlew Cottage in Newport - actually in thinking on it here is another, take a lunch date to Fronlas Cafe in Newport Town, scrumptious grub and welcoming to dogs!

See they just can't stop flowing...go and see for yourself.

Spiffing Say for Step In, Abermawr

Gosh what a marvellous weekend has just passed yet again, I am getting highly used to waking up to glorious sunshine...please don't let it disappear!

At the moment, well since the end of February really Jed (my furry pooch) and I have been intensely training for the Pembrokeshire Dawn Walk which will challenge participants to a 26 mile walk on Sunday 17th May. Jed has never been happier, an abundance of walks lasting for a minimum of four hours is naturally any dog's heaven. Though he is getting on a little now at 12, but he is as bouncing as ever and boy would he throw one big wobbly if I left him at home! Jed won't be partaking in the actual Pembrokeshire dawn walk as I think the 26 miles would appear a little too much for his little spotty paws and consists of a few main roads, though I am sure he would strongly disagree if he heard that comment. The route that I have been taking for a few months now leads around the pleasant circular walk at Carew Castle and Tidal Mill that I highly recommend being one of Jed's famous favourite's!

So after having completed my little update to you on Natalie's world, I will now crack on to report a few comments that have recently been made for Step In, Abermawr that sounds promising for the four legged friend in the family.

A previous client that stayed with The Woof Guide at Step In in April noted the following comments from a doggie perspective:

'Good that the sitting out area was private and dog proof - it caught the sun at the right time of the day.'

'Excellent for dog walking. Woodland, quiet lanes and beaches. Wore the dog out' (when commenting on the location of the cottage).

Abermawr Bay is remote beach that is dog friendly all year round. A combination of golden sand and pebble bank make Abermawr Bay a pleasant rural location for plentiful walks during your stay.

The nearest town to Abermawr would be the pleasantries awaiting your visit at Fishguard, explore the harbour, quaint town and Lower Fishguard beach.

And for the very recent, valued comments above that Step In has triggered I have this week noted Step In as my featured cottage. Well done!

Awelfan - So much adventure...

If you are a couple looking to getaway for a relaxing break away to explore our magnificent Pembrokeshire Coastline and would like nothing more than to bring along your beloved pooch, then you really do not have to look any further than Awelfan, situated in the pleasant surroundings of Square and Compass, North Pembrokeshire.

For the humans in the party they have a shared heated indoor swimming pool to offer a spot of indulgence during your stay, but more importantly I am guessing that you would like to know what exactly is on offer for your best four legged friend...
Within the charming garden at Awelfan, there is a lawn and patio area for your pooch to have a stretch of his legs first thing in the morning before heading off for your days exploration around our Pembrokeshire County.



Heading out from Awelfan's front door, only a mile down the road will bring you to join the stunning Aberfelin Cove section of our Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, which inhabits a small historic stone mill which originally gave Aberfelin Cove it's name. From here, by taking a right turn will lead you towards the very much loved, popular village of picturesque Abercastle, where you can pleasantly stroll along the sandy, shingle bay.
By turning left will lead you to witness the intriguing and interesting industrial history and fishermen of Porthgain harbour. No visit to the harbour village of Porthgain is complete without a bite to eat and refreshment in one of Pembrokeshire's most popular pubs The Sloop Inn, where your furry friend is welcome to join you on both the large village green and patio area.

If another day you fancy a spin in the car, a short, scenic drive from Square and Compass will bring you into St David's, famous for being a unique and intriguing city with it's magnificently grand Cathedral, set in the heart of some of the most outstanding coastal beauty in Europe.

So you see, when placing yourself in such a fantastically convenient location such as Square and Compass in Pembrokeshire, you have so many doggie wonders right on your doorstep for you to seek at ease during your stay in Awelfan.

If you would like to chat through any further information in regards to Awelfan or would like to book your dog friendly holiday to Pembrokeshire in the near future, then please do not hesitate in calling 01437 765 765 as a member of our Coastal Cottages Team would be more than happy to help.

A Pleasant Pawfect Property...

Sometimes you can be presented with so much tempting choice of your perfect property for the pooch in your family on http://www.thewoofguide.com/, that your vision can become one big overwhelming blur, where you don't necessarily get the opportunity to admire and appreciate all aspects of the properties you are viewing!

That is why I would like to draw a little attention to Pen y Daith a well presented, dog friendly property located in Pleasant Valley, Wiseman's Bridge...

A high quality, spacious home that is filled with a welcoming aroma and fantastic base for such great exploration and adventure for all the family during your stay with us in Pembrokeshire. Great to know but not necessarily for the furry friend in the party, the owner of Pen y Daith will make you feel like a Princess (or Prince - whatever the case maybe!) by offering a service of beauty excellence to the desire of her visitors to the County. Mind you I suppose in this day and age it wouldn't be inevitable to walk down the street and find 'The Pooch Pampering Parlour of Pembrokeshire' offering two for one! Now there's an interesting thought...

Upon leaving the property you can head for the sand and sea of Wiseman's Bridge Bay, a peaceful warming bay that has been silenced considerably since the beach having been used to stage the practice of the D-Day landings during the Second World War. An enchanting bay which embraces many dogs and their humans all year round and most definitely worthy of your pooches visit. Paddle in the wash, swim for the ball and dig holes enthusiastically in the golden sand. Pawfect...

No long, evening stroll with the sand between your paws and toes would be complete without a stop at the local Inn to soak up the sunshine, admire the coast and breathe in our fresh Pembrokeshire sea air, which is what makes The Wiseman's Bridge Inn the perfect setting for coastal bliss. Relax in the dining room or sit with your feet up in the garden which extends right down to the golden bay...I know, cue warm sunny evening and red skies, you wouldn't want to leave.

Crufting Mania!

So there we have it, another dabble at Crufts has been and gone yet again, but have left all our team feeling so very very pleased with having received such a terrific response and interest towards The Woof Guide which can never ever be a bad thing. I think it may have had something to do with Heidi from Paw Plunger joining the team and offering a help in hand for a little while...!

It did take a few days after the show for Sue, Fran and Sarah W to recover, their poor little feet were throbbing! I am still convinced it was due to having partied hard, drinking a few too many bottles of wine and scoffing too many chocolate digestive biscuits...but I was proved wrong as they religiously followed one jam packed itinerary...

Up at 6.30 (Fran being the only exception) to be showered and down to breakfast by 7, at the show for 8 and chatting madly to all the doggie crazy people until at least 18.00. They did re fuel by whopping down a big juicy steak previous to bed at 9 ish, which unfortunately though meant no Johnathan Ross for Sue on Friday night!

All the same, I would just like to say congrats to the three musketeers and well done for all your hard work over the 5 days which I'm sure bought out the lovely Labrador in you for the majority, but at times revealed the snap of a yappy Jack Russell.

Roll on 2010 hey guys?!

Crufts 2009

Good Morning all. It only seems like yesterday that I had only been with Coastal Cottages for a few months and before I knew it they had me packing my bags to head off to Birmingham to exhibit The Woof Guide and our dog friendly holidays at Crufts 2008. Of this, I could not complain...
Now, I turn around and here we are a year later and it is that time of the year yet again. Just where does the time go?
Sadly, I am unable to attend Crufts this year, but I am delighted to reveal that we have our 3 musketeers, Sarah W, Sue and Fran going along instead to meet you all and enjoy a chat over a nice cup of tea and chocolate biccie.
Fran has packed as though she is off around the world for 80 days and has packed enough snacks and pop to have emptied Tesco, Sarah W has bruised her eye having had an argument with a very angry ironing board this morning and Sue, well Sue is nowhere to be seen just yet. So all in all, the morning of their departure is going as smoothly as ever!
Crufts, the world's largest dog show is proud to 'explore, discover and enjoy the wonderful world of dogs'. Last year I was able to experience it all first hand and witness so many new breeds of dogs that I never knew even existed!
This year is rather exciting for us, as Crufts this year brings the launch of our 'Dog Walks of Pembrokeshire with Bob the Dog' booklet which includes some of our most beautiful dog friendly walks within Pembrokeshire. Our booklet gives a terrific insight and description of each walk which are paired with superb photographs of the varying locations. A handy size to pop into your handbag or rucksack and have a flick through when you have 5 minutes. Well worth the read...
So, If you are planning to take a trip to Crufts this year then do pop along and say 'hello' to the troublesome three (only joking) that are representing our Woof Guide and Coastal Cottages team this year at Crufts. You never know if your lucky, you may even win a dog friendly holiday!