A bank holiday is the perfect excuse to try something new, get outside and enjoy a little more quality time with your dog. Whether you’re planning a dog-friendly day out, a relaxed garden afternoon or something a little different from your usual walking route, there are plenty of ways to make the long weekend feel special.
If your dog is sensitive to travel, unfamiliar places or busier settings, it’s worth planning ahead with their comfort in mind. Our herbal supplements can be used as part of your dog’s everyday routine to help support them during seasonal changes, travel and busier family weekends. For dogs who need extra support to stay settled, Scullcap & Valerian Tablets and Valerian Compound are popular choices for the summer, while Digestive Tablets and Tree Barks Powder can help support normal digestive function during travel or changes to routine.
Dog-friendly bank holiday ideas for your long weekend
1. Go on a ‘sniffari’
A 'sniffari' is a walk with one main goal: letting your dog sniff, explore and take the lead at their own pace.
Instead of focusing on distance, pace or getting from A to B, choose a safe route where your dog can slow down and enjoy all the interesting scents around them. This could be taking them off the main path, exploring the woodland or new fields, all at a much slower pace.
You could also pick somewhere your dog hasn’t been before, giving them a whole new world of sniffs to investigate. New environments can be really enriching for dogs, so even a short walk somewhere different can feel like a big adventure.
It’s a lovely option for warmer bank holidays too, as it naturally encourages a gentler pace. Sniffing is mentally enriching for dogs, so even a shorter walk can still feel satisfying.
2. Plan a sunrise or sunset walk
For a bank holiday walk that feels a little different, try heading out at sunrise or during golden hour, when the day is quieter and cooler.
At these times, the air is often slightly damper, especially after overnight dew or as temperatures drop in the evening. This moisture can help scents cling to grass, trees and pathways, giving your dog even more to investigate.
You may also notice different wildlife activity, from birdsong to scent trails left by rabbits, squirrels or other animals moving around during the quieter parts of the day.
It’s a lovely option during warmer weather too, helping you avoid the midday heat while giving your dog a slower, sniff-filled adventure.
3. Try a dog-friendly pub garden trail
A bank holiday walk with a dog-friendly pub garden stop can be a lovely way to break up the day.
Plan a route with a pub, café or farm shop stop along the way, giving your dog time to rest in the shade, have a drink and settle beside you. This works especially well for dogs who enjoy being out and about but don’t need a full day of high-energy activity.
Before you go, it’s worth checking that the venue is dog-friendly and whether there’s shaded outdoor seating available. If your dog can find busy pub gardens, crowds or unfamiliar places a little overwhelming, Valerian Compound works in just 30 minutes to help keep them calm in the hustle and bustle.
4. Visit a dog-friendly heritage spot
For a calmer day out, look for a dog-friendly heritage site, country estate, garden or woodland walk.
These can be lovely alternatives to busy beaches or packed parks, especially if your dog enjoys a slower-paced adventure. Many dog-friendly locations also have cafés, shaded walking routes and open spaces to explore.
Check the rules before you go, as some places may only allow dogs in certain areas or require them to be kept on a lead.
5. Plan a dog-friendly beach trip
If you live near the coast, a beach trip can be a brilliant bank holiday activity for dogs who enjoy sand, sea air and a splash in the shallows.
Before setting off, check local beach rules, as many UK beaches have seasonal dog restrictions during spring and summer. You may also want to use our Digestive Tablets before you leave, if you have a long drive ahead or your dog is a nervous traveller.
Take plenty of fresh drinking water, as seawater can upset your dog’s stomach. Sand can also become very hot in the sun, so check the ground before letting your dog walk on it. If it feels too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.
If your dog is tempted to drink seawater or tends to have a sensitive tummy when routines change, packing their usual food, plenty of fresh water and keeping feeding times as normal as possible can help. If it is hot out, we recommend keeping beach activities gentle. A slow potter, paddle and sniff around can be just as enjoyable as a fast-paced game.
6. Set up a doggy treasure hunt
You don’t need to travel far to make the long weekend fun. A treasure hunt for your dog is a simple, enriching activity you can set up in your own garden.
Hide treats, toys or a favourite chew in different safe places and encourage your dog to sniff them out. You could hide them behind garden furniture, under an upturned plant pot, inside a cardboard box or around a shaded area of the garden.
Start easy so your dog understands the game, then gradually make the hiding places a little trickier. It’s a lovely way to encourage problem-solving and scent work without needing lots of space.
7. Host a mini dog garden party
For sociable dogs, a small garden party with a few of their dog friends can be a fun way to enjoy the bank holiday at home.
Set up a few different play zones to keep things interesting, such as a paddling pool, a sniff-and-search area or some outdoor toys. It’s a great opportunity for dogs who already know each other well to play, socialise and enjoy some time together in a familiar space.
Keep the guest list small and make sure there’s plenty of fresh water, shade and space for each dog to take a break when they need one. Even confident, playful dogs can get tired quickly in warm weather, so short bursts of play with rest periods in between can work really well.
8. Make some cooling dog treats
Making cooling treats can be a fun bank holiday activity, and your dog gets to enjoy the results!
You could try freezing dog-safe ingredients in a lick mat, food toy or ice cube tray. Plain natural yoghurt, mashed banana, cucumber, blueberries or bone broth can all work well, depending on what suits your dog.
Check out a few of our cooling treat recipes over on Instagram >
Rather than giving them straight from the freezer, letting them soften for a few minutes first can make them easier to enjoy.
9. Bring out the paddling pool
A shallow paddling pool or a sprinkler can be a lovely way for your dog to cool their paws and enjoy gentle water play at home.
Place it in a shaded part of the garden and use cool, not icy cold, water. Some dogs will jump straight in, while others may need a little encouragement. You could add floating toys or balls, reward them for stepping in calmly or simply let them investigate at their own pace.
Dog-friendly days out for adventurous or active dogs
1. Book a secure dog field
Secure dog fields are a great option for dogs who need space to run, sniff and explore safely, especially if they have unreliable recall, are easily distracted, or simply love to explore off-lead.
You could also arrange to meet a few of their dog friends there for added sociability. This gives your dog the chance to play and interact in a secure space, without the unpredictability of a busy park or unfamiliar off-lead dogs approaching.
Many enclosed fields include natural sniffing areas, agility equipment, woodland sections or water play zones. If the weather is warm, book for early morning or later in the day, and choose a field with shade where possible.
Secure fields can also be a great option for dogs who find busy public spaces more challenging.
2. Try a dog-friendly swimming pool
For water-loving dogs, a dog-friendly swimming pool or supervised dog swim session can make a fun bank holiday treat.
These are often safer and more controlled than unknown rivers, lakes or deep water, especially if your dog is still building confidence. Always check the rules before booking, as some venues may require vaccinations, pre-registration or short introductory sessions.
Keep the experience positive, go at your dog’s pace and give them plenty of time to rest afterwards.
3. Book a mantrailing or scentwork session
For something a little different, look for a local beginner mantrailing or scentwork session.
Mantrailing involves your dog following a specific human scent trail, while scentwork focuses on teaching your dog to search for a particular scent. Both are brilliant ways to let dogs use their nose and can be especially enjoyable for dogs who love sniffing, searching and problem-solving.
It’s a great bank holiday activity because it feels like a proper adventure, but it’s often more mentally enriching than physically intense. This can make it a nice choice for dogs who need stimulation without too much running around.
4. Take your dog for a bike ride
For active dogs who love to run, a bike ride can be a brilliant way to turn your usual walk into more of an adventure.
Choose a dog-friendly route such as a forest trail, country path or cycle track, and let your dog enjoy trotting alongside you. It’s a lovely way to explore a little further than you might on foot, while giving energetic dogs the chance to stretch their legs.
Keep it fun and relaxed with plenty of stops along the way for water, sniffs and little rest breaks. You could even plan your route around a scenic picnic spot, shady woodland path or dog-friendly café stop.
This activity is best for fit, healthy adult dogs who are already used to plenty of exercise. On warmer days, head out early or later in the evening so you can both enjoy the ride when it’s cooler and quieter.
What to pack for a dog-friendly bank holiday day out
A little preparation can help your day run more smoothly, especially if you’re heading further from home or spending longer out and about than usual.
Your dog-friendly day out checklist:
- Fresh water and a travel bowl
- Poo bags
- A lead or long line
- Treats for recall, training or settling breaks
- A towel for beach trips or unexpected paddles
- Shade, such as a pop-up shelter, umbrella or cooling mat
- Your dog’s usual food, especially if you’ll be out at mealtime
- Any everyday supplements they usually have
- Valerian Compound for short-term calming support when needed
- Digestive Tablets to support normal digestive function during travel or routine changes
Keeping familiar items with you can be especially helpful if your dog finds new places, travel or busy settings a little unsettling. It also means you can keep more of their usual routine in place, even when you’re enjoying a day out.
How to keep your dog cool on bank holiday days out
Warmer bank holidays can be lovely, but it’s important to plan around your dog’s comfort.
Dogs can warm up quickly, especially when exercising, travelling or spending time in direct sun. If temperatures are rising, choose gentle activities, avoid the hottest part of the day and make sure your dog has regular access to shade and fresh water.
When heading out, remember to:
- Walk early in the morning or later in the evening
- Take fresh water and a travel bowl
- Avoid hot pavements, tarmac and sand
- Choose shaded routes where possible
- Keep activities calm and gentle
- Avoid intense games of fetch in warm weather
- Take regular rest breaks
- Never leave your dog in the car, even for a short time
A quick pavement check can also help. Place your hand on the ground for a few seconds — if it feels too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
If your dog is panting heavily, slowing down, seeking shade, drooling more than usual or seems unsettled, it’s time to stop, cool down and move them somewhere shaded and calm. If you’re ever worried about heatstroke, contact your vet straight away.
Try indoor enrichment on hotter days
If the weather is too hot, it’s always safer to swap outdoor plans for indoor enrichment.
Missing one walk won’t harm your dog, but walking in unsafe heat can be dangerous. Instead, bring the fun indoors with simple activities that use their brain and nose.
Try:
- Snuffle mats
- Lick mats
- Hide and seek
- Treats hidden in a rolled-up towel
- Puzzle toys
- Gentle trick training
- Calm chewing time
Even a short five or ten-minute session can help your dog feel mentally satisfied without needing too much physical exercise.
Keep your dog’s routine in mind
Bank holidays often mean busier places, later mornings, visitors, day trips and different mealtimes. While that can be exciting, some dogs prefer the comfort of their usual routine.
Try to keep meals, rest times and bedtime as consistent as possible. If your dog is coming along on a day out, pack their usual food, water bowl and any everyday supplements they have as part of their normal routine.
For dogs who find busy places, travel or changes to routine a little unsettling, a quieter plan may be best. You can also plan ahead with gentle herbal support. Scullcap & Valerian Tablets are a popular daily option for dogs who benefit from ongoing calming support, while Valerian Compound is fast-acting and can be used when needed for short-term support during one-off events, travel or busier days out. For dogs whose digestion can be sensitive around car journeys, new places or changes to routine, Digestive Tablets or Tree Barks Powder can help support normal digestive function as part of their usual care.
FAQs
What can I do with my dog on a bank holiday?
You can enjoy a scenic walk, plan a dog-friendly beach trip, visit a secure dog field, try a dog-friendly pub garden trail or set up fun activities at home, such as a treasure hunt, paddling pool or garden party.
What are some unique things to do with your dog?
For something different, try creating a sniffari route, booking a mantrailing or scentwork session, planning a sunrise or sunset adventure, making cooling dog treats or hosting a small dog garden party with familiar dog friends.
How can I keep my dog cool on a bank holiday day out?
Walk during the cooler parts of the day, take fresh water, choose shaded routes and avoid hot pavements, sand or tarmac. Keep activities gentle and give your dog plenty of breaks in the shade.
Are beach trips safe for dogs in warm weather?
Beach trips can be enjoyable for dogs, but it’s important to check local dog restrictions, avoid the hottest part of the day and make sure your dog has fresh drinking water. Sand can become very hot, so always check it before your dog walks on it.
What garden games can I play with my dog?
Sniff and search games, treasure hunts, hide and seek, gentle agility, paddling pools, puzzle toys and snuffle mats are all great garden activities for dogs. These can be especially useful when you want to keep your dog entertained without too much running around.
What should I pack for a dog-friendly day out?
Pack fresh water, a travel bowl, poo bags, a lead or long line, treats, shade, a towel and your dog’s usual food if you’ll be out for a while.
Final thoughts
Bank holidays are a lovely opportunity to spend more time with your dog, whether you’re heading out for a dog-friendly day trip or making the most of the garden at home. From sniffari walks and sunset adventures to treasure hunts, cooling treats and pub garden trails, there are plenty of ways to make the long weekend feel special without overdoing it!
Whatever activity you choose, the most important part is spending time together. Whether it’s a big bank holiday adventure or a relaxed day in the garden, your dog will simply love being by your side.
