Our Bench Accessible Self Catering Cottages in the New Forest

Wheelchair-Friendly Holidays with Dogs

The New Forest is a wonderful area for dog walking, with miles of forest and beach paths to explore. Guests often ask whether we accept dogs. The answer is yes — but with some important conditions to ensure comfort for all guests.

We generally do not accept dogs in two of our cottages, but legally we must accommodate assistance dogs. For pet dogs, Garden Bench is the most suitable property, as it has an enclosed private garden.

Dog Policy

All pet dogs are subject to an additional fee of £100 per week and the following conditions:

Dogs must not be left unattended in the property.
Dogs must not climb on furniture.
Dogs must only toilet outside, and this must be cleaned up immediately.

Service and Assistance Dogs

Service dogs are exempt from the pet fee but are still subject to the above conditions. We must be informed at the time of booking, and we may request evidence of their training/registration. Legally, assistance dogs must be accepted in all our cottages.

According to the Equality Act 2010 (EA2012 section 173), an assistance dog is defined as:

A dog trained to guide a blind person.
A dog trained to assist a deaf person.
A dog trained by a prescribed charity to assist a disabled person with epilepsy or a disability affecting mobility, coordination, or dexterity.
A dog of a prescribed category trained to assist a disabled person with another type of disability.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission states that assistance dogs:

Are highly trained and under full control of their owner.
Will not wander freely around premises.
Will sit or lie quietly on the floor next to their owner.
Are trained to toilet on command and are unlikely to foul in public places.
Are identifiable by their harness or jacket.

Assistance dogs undergo up to two years of training before working with their partners. Source: Assistance Dogs UK

Booking Form

If you are bringing a dog, please complete our Pet Booking Form. We can recommend plenty of wheelchair-friendly dog walks to help you make the most of your stay. For your convenience, we provide towels for muddy paws and there is a garden hose on the patio if needed.

Assistance dog on holiday in the New Forest — Dogs are welcome at Our Bench Accessible Holidays — service dogs stay free.<

Holidays with Other Animals

Due to staff allergies, we cannot accept cats, house-trained rabbits, birds, or hamsters. If these animals are found on the premises, guests will forfeit their cleaning retainer and be asked to leave immediately.