Travelling with your dog

Most people do not realise how far a campervan trip with a dog can actually take you. The Dordogne. The Black Forest. The coast of Northern Spain. It is all possible, and we are going to show you exactly how.

Your dog called. They want a campervan holiday.

Here at T.C. Campers, we know that for many of you, leaving the dog behind simply is not an option. And honestly? We get it. Some of the best campervan trips we have heard about involve a muddy-pawed passenger snoozing across the back seat while the countryside rolls by outside.

The good news is that both the UK and Europe offer brilliant destinations for campervan travel with dogs. Whether you are staying closer to home or heading across the Channel, there is so much waiting for you and your four-legged co-pilot. We have put together this guide to make your dog-friendly adventure as smooth as possible: the rules you need to know, the best places to stay, what to pack, and everything you need to take your dog to Europe too.

The UK rules you need to know

In most of England, Wales and Scotland, dogs must be kept on a lead in certain areas, particularly on all land with livestock (a legal requirement under the Animals Act 1971), in most National Nature Reserves and designated conservation areas, on many beaches between May and September (always check local signage before you arrive), and in National Parks during ground-nesting bird season (typically March to July).

Scotland's Land Reform Act gives people, and their dogs, the right to access most land responsibly under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Dogs must be kept under close control, and on a lead near livestock, farm buildings, and between 1st March and 31st July where ground-nesting birds may be present. The NC500 route passes through some spectacular wild areas where these rules apply.

Beach restrictions vary hugely from one stretch of coast to the next, so always check the local council or beach authority website before you arrive. Many beaches have a dog-friendly section even during restricted months.

One rule that never changes: always pick up after your dog. Failing to do so in public spaces can result in a fine of up to 1,000 pounds. Pack more bags than you think you need.

Taking your dog to Europe in a campervan

T.C. Campers covers you for EU travel, which means you can take our campervans Enola or Fenyx across the Channel and into Europe. Imagine waking up in a French forest, a Dutch tulip field, or beside a Spanish river with your dog beside you. But there are important rules to follow before you go.

What your dog needs before travelling to the EU:

A valid pet passport or GB Animal Health Certificate (AHC). The AHC must be issued by a vet no more than 10 days before you travel and is valid for 4 months for re-entry into Great Britain.

An up-to-date rabies vaccination: your dog must be vaccinated before the AHC can be issued. If your dog has not been vaccinated, allow at least 21 days after vaccination before travel.

A microchip: your dog must be microchipped before their rabies vaccination for it to count.

A tapeworm treatment: required for dogs returning to Great Britain, administered and recorded by a vet 1 to 5 days before you re-enter the UK.

Since Brexit, the old blue EU pet passport issued in the UK is no longer valid for travel to EU countries. You now need a GB Animal Health Certificate for each trip. Always book a vet appointment at least 2 to 3 weeks before you travel to allow time for the paperwork.

Our favourite dog-friendly destinations

In the UK: the NC500 in Scotland is extraordinary with a dog, wide open landscapes and burns every few miles for a drink and a paddle. Pembrokeshire in Wales is 186 miles of dramatic clifftops, most of which welcomes dogs year-round. The Lake District is fell walking heaven, though check ahead during lambing season (March to May). Dorset and the Jurassic Coast offer miles of coastline, with dog-friendly sections at Studland Beach year-round. Loch Lomond is stunning, accessible and very dog-friendly.

In Europe: the Dordogne in France has river valleys, woodland trails and very quiet roads. The Black Forest in Germany is dense forest, streams at every turn, and a landscape made for a dog who loves exploring. Asturias in Northern Spain is green, cool and far less visited than the south, with long beaches that allow dogs outside summer. Tuscany in Italy has rolling hills, cypress trees and outstanding countryside walking.

Packing list: what your dog actually needs

Food and water bowls (collapsible ones save space), and enough food for the full trip plus a day or two extra.

Poo bags, twice as many as you think you need.

A dog bed or blanket, familiar smells make for a settled dog.

A lead, a spare lead, and a long line for open spaces.

An up-to-date ID tag with your mobile number.

Flea and tick treatment, a small first aid kit with a tick remover, and towels for after swims.

For EU travel: a valid GB Animal Health Certificate, proof of rabies vaccination, tapeworm treatment records and your dog's microchip number noted separately.

Keeping your dog safe and settled

Dogs should always be secured during travel. An unrestrained dog is a serious safety risk in any accident, so a well-fitting harness with a seatbelt adaptor or a secured crate are both good options. Never leave a dog alone in a campervan in warm weather: even with windows cracked, temperatures inside a vehicle can reach dangerous levels within minutes on a sunny day.

Most dogs settle brilliantly into campervan life within a day or two. Bring their bed or a familiar blanket so they have a defined spot, stick to their normal feeding routine, and allow plenty of sniff-breaks on walks (sniffing is mentally exhausting and genuinely tiring). If your dog is anxious in new places, a short practice overnight closer to home can really help.

Enola and Fenyx are ready and waiting, and so is the open road. Both our campervans are well set up for dogs, with easy-clean surfaces and plenty of space. Dates are filling up, so get in touch if you are planning a trip.