Stay; dog friendly holidays
Welcome, Four-Legged Friends!
We love dogs – our own pup, Juno (a lively working cocker spaniel), is a beloved member of the family & official greeter of sorts! We know that a holiday isn’t the same without your dog by your side. Here at Mill Cross Retreats, we’re proud to offer pet-friendly holiday accommodation in Devon so you can enjoy a countryside escape with your canine companion.
We’ve had hundreds of guests stay with their dogs over the years, and it’s our pleasure to see tails wagging as they explore our fields & sniff the fresh Devon air. The Oystercatcher (our annexe cottage) is our dedicated dog-friendly retreat. (Jenny Wren shepherd’s hut is not big enough for pets, sorry.)
If you'd like to book The Oystercatcher & plan to bring your dog, please read on for our simple requests & all the info to ensure a safe, happy stay for everyone. Please contact Emma to confirm that you would like to book with a dog or two & are happy with our "golden rules".
Our Dog Policy & “Golden Rules"
To keep our space enjoyable for all and to protect our property (& farm friends), we have a few doggy house rules.
1. One-two small/medium, well-behaved dog/s welcome. We prefer dogs that are crate-trained, as this helps them feel secure in a new environment.
2. No unattended dogs, please. For the duration of your holiday, your pup is on holiday with you – so we ask that you do not leave your dog alone in the cottage. Even if your dog is happy to be left at home, a new or strange place can distress them. The good news is most places around us are very dog-friendly (cafés, pubs, even some attractions), so Fido can tag along on your outings. If there’s somewhere dogs truly can’t accompany you, let’s talk – we might be able to dog-sit for a short while or recommend local doggie daycare.
3. Four paws on the floor, please. We kindly request that dogs stay off the sofa & out of the bedroom area. There is plenty of space for your dog bed or crate in the living room area. Keeping the human furnishings pet-free ensures our space stays clean & allergen-light for the next guests.
4. Leads on outside, at all times please. We have free-roaming chickens, livestock & some neighbouring farm animals, so for everyone’s safety & happiness, please keep your dog on a lead when outside your cottage unless in the designated exercise area (more on that below). We have a handy stake in the ground (tether point) you can borrow if you’d like to sit outside & have your dog secure on a long lead. This way, they can lounge or sniff around near you without wandering off.
Cost & booking in your pup/s
These are our “three golden rules” (plus a lead reminder) that we ask all dog owners to follow. If you’re happy with them (we hope you understand they’re in place to protect your pet, our property & local wildlife), then we’ll be thrilled to host you and your furry friend/s!
We charge a £45 per dog stay/£50 for two dogs dog (to cover the additional cleaning & wear. This is payable on arrival. Please contact Emma ahead of your booking to say you'd like to bring your dog/s – we like to know the name, breed & a little about your pup (every dog is part of the family, after all!).
We’ll make sure we have everything ready for a paw-some stay.
On-Site Fun and Nearby Walks
Staying at Mill Cross Retreats with your dog means you have some fantastic opportunities for exercise & play right at your doorstep.
We have open land & adjacent fields where your dog can stretch their legs. As well as our own fields, there’s a very large field right next to us – perfect for a morning run or game of fetch.
We do ask that, because it’s open countryside & we have wildlife & those free-range chickens, you only let your dog off-lead in our big field if you are confident in their recall & when there’s no livestock grazing. Otherwise, a long lead gives them plenty of range to romp safely.
You’ll most likely meet Juno (our spaniel) around the property – she’s friendly with other dogs &we can introduce them properly if paths cross.
For more places to visit with your dog click here for lots of ideas!