Dog-Friendly Big
Houses to Rent
For a lot of us, a family holiday isn't quite complete without the dog.
When you're gathering the whole gang together for a celebration, reunion or big group escape, it's no surprise that the four-legged family members want to come too.
A number of our big houses — across Somerset, Devon, the Cotswolds and Lincolnshire — are proudly dog-friendly, giving you the space for everyone to be part of the holiday together.
Houses
Dog-Friendly Group Accommodation
Which of Our Big Houses Welcome Dogs?
Dogs are welcome by prior arrangement at eight of our big houses, spanning four regions: Somerset, Devon, the Cotswolds and Lincolnshire.
Somerset
4 houses
Dog Friendly
Tone Dale House
Sleeps up to 31
Our largest party house, with plenty of garden space to stretch legs between adventures.
View house →
Dog Friendly
Tatham House
Sleeps up to 22
An indoor pool, games room and tennis court for the rest of the group.
View house →
Dog Friendly
Somerset Manor
Sleeps 20–26
Set within grounds big enough for a proper wander before breakfast.
View house →
Dog Friendly
Stawley Barns
Sleeps 20
Close to the Devon border with open countryside on the doorstep.
View house →Devon
1 house
Cotswolds
2 houses
Dog Friendly
Tysoe Manor
Sleeps 22
An 11-acre estate with plenty of ground to explore, plus a warm dog wash in the parking area.
View house →
Dog Friendly
Cotswold Manor
Sleeps up to 22
Set within two acres designed for both fun and unwinding.
View house →Lincolnshire
1 house
Each house typically welcomes up to two dogs by prior arrangement, usually with a small nightly charge (around £15 per dog, per night). As availability and individual house policies can vary, it's always worth checking with our team, Victoria and Beverley, before booking, so we can confirm which houses are available and suited to your dog on your chosen dates.
Why So Many of Us Are Bringing the Dog on Holiday
UK dog ownership is at a record high, and more owners than ever are choosing not to travel without their dog.
Pet dogs across the UK
PDSA PAW ReportOf UK households own at least one dog
PDSA PAW ReportWould rather holiday in the UK with their dog than travel abroad without them
Away ResortsNever holiday abroad at all, because they don't want to leave their dog behind
Lords & LabradorsFor big group holidays, this matters even more. When fifteen, twenty or thirty of you are travelling together, there's often at least one dog who's very much considered part of the family — and a big house gives everyone, human and canine, the space to be together properly.
Where to Walk
Best Dog Walks Near Our Somerset & Devon Houses
The South West offers some of the UK's best dog-walking country, from open moorland to dog-friendly beaches.
The Blackdown Hills
A National Landscape with rolling hills and quiet lanes.
Plan a walk →The Quantock Hills
A short drive away, offering heathland and woodland trails with views across to Exmoor.
Plan a walk →Wellington Monument & Surrounding Countryside
Well-established walking trails through National Trust land.
Plan a walk →Exmoor National Park
Sweeping moorland walks right on the doorstep.
Plan a walk →Wimbleball Lake
Lakeside trails popular with dogs who love water.
Plan a walk →Woolacombe Beach
One of our favourite dog-friendly beaches, welcoming dogs year-round with seasonal restrictions in the busiest summer months.
Plan a walk →The River Barle & Tarr Steps
A gentle, scenic riverside walk.
Plan a walk →A note on beaches: beaches have different rules in place for dogs depending on the season. Some welcome dogs all year round, others don't permit dogs during the daytime, and others are no dogs from April to September, when it's the main holiday season. Always worth double-checking before you head to the beach with your dog.
Where to Walk
Best Dog Walks Near Our Cotswolds & Lincolnshire Houses
Beyond the South West, both the Cotswolds and Lincolnshire offer excellent, varied walking country close to our houses.
Cotswold Countryside Footpaths
Often described as the walking capital of England, with gentle, well-marked trails.
Plan a walk →Warwickshire & Oxfordshire Parkland
Tysoe Manor's 11-acre grounds connect easily to surrounding countryside walks.
Plan a walk →The Lincolnshire Wolds
Rolling countryside walks away from the crowds.
Plan a walk →Woodhall Spa & Forest Trails
A short distance away, popular for longer walks.
Plan a walk →Good to Know
A Few Things Worth Thinking About Before You Book
We won't tell you how to look after your own dog, but a few things specific to booking one of our big houses are worth knowing in advance.
Dogs need to be agreed in advance, not on arrival
Most houses welcome up to two dogs by prior arrangement, usually with a nightly charge of around £15 per dog.
House rules vary property to property
Most ask that dogs stay off the furniture and out of the bedrooms, and are supervised while in the garden. Our team can talk you through the specifics for the house you're considering.
Some grounds include unfenced water
A few of our houses have ponds, streams or lakes on site, which is worth knowing if your dog needs supervising near water.
It's worth checking in with the whole group
With a big group holiday, not everyone travelling may be used to having a dog around, so a quick heads-up is generally appreciated.
Let us know about extra or larger dogs
Tell us if you're bringing more than one dog, or a particularly large breed, so we can help you find a house that's genuinely well suited to your group.
Personal Service
Finding the Right House,
With the Right Information
Every booking with us is looked after personally, and that includes helping you find the right house for your dog as well as your family. Victoria and Beverley speak with every guest to help you find the right dog-friendly house for your group, confirming which properties suit your dog, what the house-specific rules are, and any other information you need before you book.
Speak to Our Team →Frequently Asked Questions
Dogs at The Big House Co
Are dogs allowed in The Big House Company's properties?
How many dogs can I bring?
Is there a charge for bringing a dog?
Are dogs allowed upstairs or on the furniture?
Which region is best for a big group holiday with a dog?
Planning a Big Group Holiday With Your Dog?
Read more in our blog post, Bringing Your Dog on a Big Group Holiday: Everything Worth Knowing, or browse our dog-friendly big houses.
A Family-Run Business, Since 1996
The Big House Co
The Big House Co has been helping families, friends and colleagues find the perfect big house since 1996, with thousands of guests having stayed in one of our houses over the years.
As a family-run business, we understand what makes a group holiday work — space that brings everyone together, houses full of character, and a personal touch that a big booking site simply can't offer. That's why every enquiry is handled by Victoria and Beverley, who get to know exactly what you're looking for and help you find the right house for your group, whether that's a milestone birthday, a big family reunion, or a holiday with the dog along for the ride.
It's this personal, hands-on approach that keeps so many of our guests coming back, year after year.
Big enough for everyone.
Personal enough to feel like home.
