Dog Friendly Autumn Breaks 2025
Dog Friendly Autumn Breaks
Author: Anna Hollisey is a well-travelled Welsh native and spaniel-owner who writes regularly for dog and lifestyle publications.
Dog-friendly Autumn Breaks
Are you thinking of bringing your dog on a short break in Wales this Autumn? With tumbling waterfalls, wild coastlines, and ancient ruins, our countryside is best explored on foot… your dog’s favourite mode of transport! Here are the unmissable stops to make on your Carmarthenshire adventure.
This part of Wales is rich in history, including an impressive portfolio of castles (which is no surprise: Wales has more castles per square mile than anywhere in the world!). Landscape-lovers will be thrilled by the scenic mountain backdrop, with bonus waterfalls hiding in the valleys. And… if you fancy exploring shipwrecks, riding on a vintage steam-train, or getting inspiration for your vegetable garden – you can do all that too!
In the Autumn the Welsh woodlands turn to burnished gold and tourist numbers dwindle, so it’s the perfect time to plan a dog-friendly weekend break. Here are some of our favourite activities where dogs are welcomed.
Dog-friendly weekend break activities in Carmarthenshire – Autumn
Cwm Rhaeadr is a dog-friendly, wooded picnic area with a waterfall in the Tywi Valley. It’s most spectacular in Autumn and Winter, when the Welsh rain fills the rivers for extra drama! There’s a car park with picnic area so that you can lunch before or after the two-mile walk to the waterfall. There’s an accessible trail too. Details are here on Visit Wales.
Abergwili Railway is less than 20 minutes’ drive from Ty Mawr. Enjoy a ride on an old-fashioned steam train through our pretty Welsh countryside. You’ll travel in a 1950s style compartment, which is ideal for your dog (just make sure they have their own ticket before boarding!).
Brechfa Forest is an excellent destination for some Autumn leaf-peeping! It’s a surprisingly diverse woodland, with numerous ancient Redwoods and other species from all over the world. There are plenty of dog-friendly trails, including one which leads you past the modern wind turbines. Read about the different dog-walks you can try from Abergorlech.
Pembrey Country Park is a well-kept place where you can easily spend a few hours; there are trails as well as good facilities and regular events. On a pleasant Autumn day, you should definitely explore its eight miles of sandy beach (Cefn Sidan). Since 1668, more than 180 vessels have been shipwrecked along these “wild, exposed wastes of sand”. Wrecks were such regular occurrences that the area became known for its plunderers, who got the nickname ‘Gwyr y Belli Bach’ (people of little hatchets). Dogs are permitted all year round and if you have a metal detector, you could bring that too! Before you set off, read Pembrey Council’s interesting guide to the history of Cefn Sidan.
If (like many visitors to Wales) you don’t want to go home without seeing a castle, Llansteffan Castle is one of the best to explore with your dog. This ruined castle sprawls on the clifftop above Llansteffan beach, much of which is dog-friendly. Check visitor information on the Cadw website.
The National Botanic Garden of Wales covers a whopping 568 acres, including woodland and lake. There are plenty of well-signposted trails with lots of space for people as well as dogs. While dogs aren’t allowed inside the Glasshouse, they can wander the rest of the gardens on dog-friendly days (Mondays and Fridays). During Autumn the gardens are filled with dahlias, Japanese maples, asters and edibles – their pumpkins are always extremely enviable! On their website, there’s a picture guide showing the species to spot in different seasons.
Dog-friendly accommodation in Carmarthenshire, Wales
At Ty Mawr we love dogs, and we know that leaving them behind can be hard. Our dog-friendly accommodation, Coedwig Brechfa, is a former stable which has been turned into a light and tranquil lodging with its own front door, lounge area and coffee machine. It was awarded an Editor’s Choice rosette by the Good Hotel Guide. You’ll find a bowl and biscuits ready to welcome your dog, and they’re permitted to join you in our restaurant too!
Looking for a dog-friendly hotel to escape the fireworks this Autumn?
If you’re looking for a Welsh break to escape the fireworks, Ty Mawr is a great option. We have a quiet setting in the Cambrian Mountains and our agricultural neighbours’ livestock HIGHLY disapprove of fireworks, so they’re a rarity here.
Discover even more dog-friendly activities elsewhere on our Blog:
Walks in the Cardigan area
Other castles you can visit
How forest walks boost your immune system