We’ll be dog gone (with us) - dog sitting drives surge in bookings for Welsh cottages
A self-catering business nestled in the picturesque Preseli Hills is reporting a boost to bookings thanks to their guests’ furry friends.
Preseli Hills Cottages, run by husband and wife team Phil and Jennifer Wheeler, boasts three 5-star cottages located 15 mins north of Narberth in rural Pembrokeshire.
Surrounded by breathtaking Welsh countryside, they are located within the glorious National Coastal Park which drives demand among keen walkers, nature lovers and guests who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Business has been brisk for the last 5 years but a recent tweak to their offering has seen enquiries soar - pet sitting, specifically dogs.
Now, with National Dog Day around the corner (Saturday 26th August), Phil and Jennifer are urging dog-lovers not to assume their canine companions need to be dragged out with them after a tiring day on the beach or in the hills as they head out for a bite to eat.
Jennifer explains;
‘We’ve been pet-friendly ever since we set up. In fact, it was one of the reasons we started having holiday cottages in the first place! We wanted to provide “high end” luxury dog friendly cottage accommodation.
‘We are a nation of dog-lovers - Phil and I have two ourselves - but we know that guests don’t always want them joining the party if they’re nipping out for a more romantic meal or they want to go on boat trips, kayaking adventures and e-mountain bike safari’s. There are world renowned bird sanctuaries on the islands surrounding Pembrokeshire and people come from all over the world to marvel at the puffins, Manx shearwaters, guillemots and gannets - sometimes that is best done without our furry friends.
‘As owners of a spaniel (Bird) and a basset hound (Hector) we know they love the pub but sometimes it is best for everyone to have a little “me-time”. So we started providing pet-sitting services and the response has been huge!’
The pet-sitting service is just the latest innovation from the couple who have had furry family friends at the heart of their offering for many years.
Each cottage has its own dedicated garden, landscaped using Pembrokeshire stone walls around the perimeters which are about waist high; ‘for an adult, not a dog, explains Phil.
‘There are shrubs planted on top of these walls which tend to be a good barrier but if your dog can jump higher than waist height then you will need to keep a closer eye on them. Thankfully, we can do just that, whilst our guests head out to explore the wonderful countryside, safe in the knowledge that their dogs are being watched over. Of course, should they wish to keep them with them, at all times, we totally understand, just ask Bird and Hector!’
To celebrate “National Dog Day”, Phil and Jennifer have produced a guide to the best beach walks in Pembrokeshire which includes advice on where and when doggies are allowed to join in the fun:
https://www.preselihillscottages.co.uk/faqs/discover-the-best-beach-walks-in-pembrokeshire/
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