The £40-a-night fee UK dog owners are done paying

As the UK's dog population hits a record high, one group of design-led houses is putting an end to the pet supplement altogether. 

Britain now has more dogs than ever before, with the UK's dog population reaching a record 15.5 million [1]. Yet as the number of travelling dogs grows, so does frustration with the fees attached to bringing them, with many UK holiday cottages and hotels charging as much as £40 per night for a pet to stay. 

That growth is reshaping how the country holidays, with the search for ‘Best UK dog holiday’ up 1519% in the last year [2].

Against that backdrop, ARC, the collection of beautifully reimagined, design-led exclusive-use houses across the UK, is scrapping the charge entirely, introducing a dogs go free policy across its portfolio of five houses. 

The change also reflects a wider shift in how UK dog owners see their pets when it comes to travel. Dogs Trust's latest National Dog Survey (the UK's largest with more than 400,000 respondents) found that 98% of dog owners consider their dog a part of the family. Separately, its data shows over two-thirds of UK dog owners have already taken their dog on a UK holiday with them.

Now, ARC is lifting the lid on which destinations it recommends for an adventure with four legged friends. 

1. Painswick Beacon

A short climb from the village of Painswick, the Beacon is one of the Cotswolds' best-loved viewpoints, crowning an Iron Age hillfort with panoramic views across the Severn Vale to the Forest of Dean. The open grassland summit is largely unfenced, giving dogs plenty of room to run.

It's a walk that rewards effort without demanding too much of it, with a steady climb followed by a wide, breezy plateau. The Falcon Inn back in the village well placed for a well-earned refreshment afterwards

ARC PAINSWICK, Cotswolds is priced from £601 per night (£32 per night based on 24 for four nights midweek)

1. The Camel Trail

Flat, largely traffic-free and following the route of a disused railway line, the Camel Trail runs 18 miles between Padstow, Wadebridge, Bodmin and Wenfordbridge, tracing the Camel Estuary through Cornish countryside that's part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Its level surface and gentle gradients make it one of the easiest and most accessible walks in the South West, suited to dogs and owners of any age or fitness level, with cafés dotted along the route at Padstow, Wadebridge and Bodmin.

ARC PADSTOW, Cornwall is priced from £687 per night (£26pp per night based on a group of 26 for four nights midweek)

1. Three Shires Head

A slightly more adventurous option for confident dogs, Three Shires Head is the point where Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire meet, marked by a historic packhorse bridge and a series of pools and waterfalls fed by the River Dane. On a warm day, it's one of the Peak District's most popular wild swimming spots.

Dogs are welcome throughout, though should be kept on a lead around the moorland's grazing sheep and near the water's edge, where rocks can be slippery.

ARC PEAKS, Peak District, is priced from £937 per night (£31pp per night based on a group of 30 for four nights midweek)

1. Holkham Beach

One of the largest and most dog-friendly beaches in the country, Holkham forms part of a National Nature Reserve on the North Norfolk coast, with miles of sand backed by dunes and sheltering pinewoods. At low tide in particular, the beach stretches far enough that dogs can run freely.

Dogs are welcome year-round, though a lead is required in signposted nesting areas between April and August to protect ground-nesting birds - leaving the majority of the beach open for off-lead exploring.

ARC NEXT-THE-SEA, Norfolk, is priced from £601 per night (£30pp per night based on a group of 20 for four nights midweek)

1. Thorpeness Mere

A 64-acre boating lake no more than three feet deep at any point, Thorpeness Mere has welcomed well-behaved dogs aboard its hire boats since it opened in 1913, alongside a network of paths that circle the water past the village's famous House in the Clouds.

It's one of the few UK boating lakes where dogs are actively invited onto the water rather than simply tolerated on the bank making it a rare treat for a dog that's happy sharing a rowing boat.

ARC THORPENESS, Suffolk is priced from £625 per night (£31pp per night based on a group of 20 for four nights midweek)

Tom Leahy, co-founder of ARC, commented: "Dogs are as much a part of the family as anyone else in the group, and for most of our guests, bringing them isn't optional - it's the whole point of getting away together. Charging extra to bring a member of the family always felt at odds with the way ARC houses are designed - as spaces for everyone to gather, four legs included!”

For more information and to plan a stay with a four legged friend,, visit arc.club.

ENDS

SOURCE

[1] https://www.ukpetfood.org/industry-hub/data-statistics-/uk-pet-population-.html

[2] Statistic quoted from Google Trends. True as of 3.9.26

ABOUT ARC

Reimagining the Great British Escape, ARC is a collection of beautifully reimagined, design-led, exclusive-use houses across the UK. Each property pairs architectural character with hotel-level consistency and generous social spaces for groups to gather, celebrate or retreat. A concierge-style service is offered through the ARC Lobby connecting guests to over 300 tried-and-tested local experiences, from private chefs to yoga and vineyard tours.

Across the portfolio, ARC restores historic buildings through low-impact renovations, sustainable heating and careful preservation of heritage architecture. Outdoor spaces prioritise native planting, properties are located near fast rail links to encourage lower-carbon travel, and EV charging is added wherever feasible. ARC also partners closely with local producers and businesses to reinvest in surrounding communities.

Discover more at arc.club

UK Press Enquiries: Charlotte Williams & Jess Cochrane at Lemongrass Marketing E: ARC@lemongrassmarketing.com 

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Editors notes

The country house, made new. With a collection of purposefully restored homes across the UK, ARC promises guests the luxury of a boutique hotel without compromise.

Every ARC is designed for shared experiences, combining stunning architecture and interiors with state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor kitchens, spacious communal areas and extensive amenities.

Each property includes a dedicated house manager, private chefs on request and our purpose-built digital concierge service ‘ARC Lobby’ — providing a curated selection of local activities, services and produce on demand.