Dog-Friendly Somerset: The Complete 2026 Guide
Dog-friendly Somerset 2026: Exmoor, the Quantocks, Cheddar Gorge and the Mendips, the Brean coast, the Levels, and dog-welcoming Wells and Glastonbury.
Somerset is one of the great unsung dog-walking counties of the West Country. It has wild moorland, dramatic limestone gorges, gentle wetland levels and a stretch of Bristol Channel coast, and almost all of it is open to dogs year-round. For owners who want big walks without the summer-beach restrictions that dominate the South Coast, it is hard to beat.
What makes Somerset good for a dog?
Somerset (a large rural county in South West England, between Bristol and Devon) is built for walkers. Two upland areas, Exmoor and the Quantocks, give miles of open moor and combe; the Mendip Hills add limestone gorges and caves country; and the low-lying Somerset Levels offer flat, easy towpath and droveway walks. Unlike the honeypot coastal counties, very little of this carries a seasonal dog restriction, so it works just as well in August as in February.
Day to day it is a relaxed, dog-welcoming county. Market towns like Wells and Glastonbury are full of dog-friendly pubs and cafes, and the county pairs naturally with neighbouring Devon and Dorset for a wider West Country trip. If you are heading specifically for the moor, we have a dedicated dog-friendly Exmoor guide with the detail.
Where should you walk a dog in Somerset?
NATIONAL PARK · MOORLAND
Exmoor and the western moors Editor's pick
Open moorland, wooded combes and a dog-friendly stretch of coast
- Big open-moor walks
- Wooded river combes
- Year-round access
- Dog policy Open access, leads near stock
- Terrain Moor, combe, coast
- Watch for Exmoor ponies, sheep
- Best season All year
What we liked
- Vast open walking with few restrictions
- Beautiful combes and a quiet coast
- Year-round access
Watch out for
- Heavy livestock grazing means leads in many areas
- Remote, so plan around the weather
For open-moor freedom without the summer beach bans, Exmoor is as good as the South West gets.
MENDIP HILLS · LIMESTONE
Cheddar Gorge and the Mendip Hills
Dramatic limestone gorge and breezy hilltop walks
- Dramatic gorge scenery
- Hilltop ridge walks
- Half-day adventures
- Dog policy Open access on the hills
- Highlight Cheddar Gorge clifftop
- Nearby Ebbor Gorge, Black Down
- Best season All year
What we liked
- Spectacular gorge and ridge scenery
- Open-access hill walking
- Quick to reach from Bristol and the M5
Watch out for
- The gorge road and village get very busy
- Caves are assistance-dogs only
QUANTOCK HILLS · MOORLAND
The Quantock Hills
England's first protected landscape, quiet and made for dogs
- Quiet moor and heath walks
- Avoiding crowds
- Long ridge routes
- Dog policy Open access, leads near stock
- Terrain Heath, combe, ridge
- Wildlife Red deer, ponies
- Best season All year
The Quantock Hills (a heather-and-oak ridge north of Taunton, and the first place in England to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) are a quieter, smaller-scale alternative to Exmoor. The open heath along the central ridge gives long, breezy walks with views to the sea and the moor, while the wooded combes on the flanks are sheltered in poor weather. They are far less visited than the big-name areas, which is exactly their appeal for a dog day out.
What we liked
- Genuinely quiet open walking
- Varied heath, wood and ridge terrain
- Easy access from Taunton and the M5
Watch out for
- Grazing stock and deer mean careful control
- Few facilities up on the hills
BRISTOL CHANNEL · COAST
The Somerset coast: Brean, Berrow and Weston
Vast tidal sands with generous year-round dog access
- Huge sandy walks
- Year-round beach access
- Family seaside days
- Dog policy Generous, check zones
- Beaches Brean, Berrow sands
- Note Big tides, soft mud
- Dog-friendly Much of it year-round
What we liked
- Enormous sandy beaches
- More relaxed summer dog rules than the South Coast
- Good for a long, flat run
Watch out for
- Extreme tides and soft mud demand care
- Weston's central beach restricts dogs in summer
LEVELS · MARKET TOWNS
The Somerset Levels, Wells and Glastonbury
Flat wetland walks and dog-friendly historic towns
- Easy flat walks
- Wildlife and birdwatching
- Town pottering
- Dog policy Welcoming towns + paths
- Terrain Flat droves, towpaths
- Wildlife Starling murmurations
- Towns Wells, Glastonbury
What we liked
- Easy, flat walking suitable for any dog
- Memorable winter wildlife
- Charming, dog-welcoming towns
Watch out for
- Can flood in winter
- Few dramatic landmarks beyond the Tor
What about Somerset's dog-friendly attractions and stays?
Beyond the open hills, Somerset has plenty of dog-welcoming days out. Many National Trust and Forestry England sites in the county admit dogs on leads, the steam railways and some of the larger garden estates welcome dogs in their grounds, and the West Country's growing crop of cider farms and vineyards often allow dogs in outdoor areas. Policies vary by site and season, so check each one before setting off.
For somewhere to stay, Somerset leans heavily towards dog-friendly self-catering cottages and farm stays, especially around Exmoor, the Quantocks and the Mendips. As with the rest of the West Country, book early for school holidays, and confirm the property's dog policy (number of dogs, any fee, whether dogs are allowed upstairs or on furniture) at the time of booking.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Is Somerset dog-friendly?
Q02Which Somerset beaches allow dogs?
Q03Where is the best dog walk in Somerset?
Q04Do I need to keep my dog on a lead in Somerset?
Dog-Friendly Exmoor
Dog-Friendly Devon Villages 2026
Pet-Friendly Dorset Coast Walks 2026
Dog Beach Etiquette UK 2026
