Dog Friendly Jersey Holidays

Travelling from the UK to jersey is a pain free process. Condor ferries can get you there in 4-5 hours from Poole on the Liberation (the 'Fast Ferry' as it's known locally), and while your pet has to stay in the car, you are allowed to visit them during the journey, as long as the weather allows. You just need to leave the window open to allow some air in, and be sure to leave fresh water. If you're travelling without a car, your pup will need to be left in a pet carrier on the car deck for the journey. You don't need a pet passport for travel between the UK & Jersey and a pet in the car is free with Condor Ferries. You can check all requirements on the Jersey Government site

The ferry to Jersey itself is a great experience. It's only small but has food and drink outlets and a duty free shop. The open deck space gives a great view as you travel very close to Alderney, and you get a great view of Sark, Herm and Guernsey as well as the coast of Normandy. Remember to bring your binnoculars! Travelling back into Poole gives great views of Sandbanks and the south coast. You can also upgrade to club class for a comfier seat and table service.

If you're after luxury, Longueville Manor is proudly dog friendly with dogs permitted in the rooms and lounges and the hotel will provide treats and bowls for your pet. This is a well rated luxury hotel, which is reflected in the price. The hotel boasts a spa, gym, pool, fine dining restaurant and even a private yacht which guests can charter (for an additional fee).

For something a bit different, you could try Jersey Heritage Holiday Lets. Jersey heritage looks after Jersey's heritage and historic sites, and have brought new life to some of Jersey's best loved historical buildings which can now be rented for overnight stays, some of which are dog friendly. You could stay in Fort Leicester, a 19th Century fort sitting above Bouley Bay. Or Kemt Tower, a Napoleonic 'Martello Tower'.

A great camping option is Rozel Camping Park which allows well behaved dogs on leads.

You'll find that Jersey has alot of dog friendly dining options. Most venues in Jersey tend to have outside seating, so in the summer, finding a place to eat with your dog is no problem. even when the weather isn't great, there's a huge selection of pubs, bars and restaurants that welcome doggo's and puppers.

At the top of our list is the Old Smugglers Inn. A true dog lovers pub and one of the oldest pubs on the island, 'The Smugglers' has 2 fantastic log fires which offer great relief after a long walk on Ouaisne Bay (pronounced Way-Nay) and offers a great selection of local beers (definitely try the 'Smugglers Delight'). This place gets busy at lunchtime, with dogs allowed in the bar (on leads). The bar staff alwys have treats on hand for it's four legged customers.

The Old Court House in St Aubin allows dogs in the bar and serves a great selection of seafood and local dishes. They also have a selection of local beers from Liberation brewery.

The Portelet Inn, sitting above the spectacular Portelet Bay welcomes dogs in the bar and has a full and varied menu.

A few other things to think about when bringing your dog to Jersey:

Dogs are welcome on the public buses, which makes getting around easy.

Dogs are allowed on all the beaches but between 1st May & 31st September, they need to be kept on a lead between 10.30am and 6pm. If you're walking your dog on the beach, be aware that there can be alot of horses excercising in the morning and evenings. If your dog isn't used to horses you should excercise caution.

If you encounter any health problems, Jersey Vets will be happy to see you, and you can get out of hours energency care across the Island.

Rules relating to dogs are similar to the UK, but you should remember that Jersey is self governing and has it's own laws, rules and regulations. Your dog needs to wear a collar and tag, you can be fined £1000 if you don't clean up after your dog and dogs aren't allowed to worry livestock. Some dog breeds are banned in Jersey so you should seek advice if you are considering travelling with one of these banned types. These include Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff), Japanese Tosa (or Tosa) and Pit Bull Terrier.

The sun in Jersey can be alot stronger than the UK, so it may be hotter than your dog is used to. Most bars and cafes have bowls with water for dogs but it's worth taking a folding bowl and bottle of water with you in the summer.

You can find ticks in the spring and autumn, particularly on grassy dunes and woodland. Lyme disease is extremely rare in Jersey, so a tick bite may be nothing to worry about but you should check your dog regularly, make sure your tick treament is up to date and consult a vet if you have any worries.