Cornwall is open for dogs

A business in Cornwall has won a prestigious Kennel Club 'Open for Dogs' award. Helsbury Park in Camelford has won the ‘Somewhere to Holiday’ category in the annual awards, after its customers nominated it on account of its dog friendly credentials.

The self catering holiday accommodation was highlighted by visitors for providing throws and sofa covers for the dogs as well as dog waste bags and portable drinks carriers. It was described as ‘a real haven for owners and dogs alike’ and has 100 acres of open land to walk dogs off lead. Welcome packs come as standard for all that stay at the site, with a list of other dog friendly places and doggy treats.

Dave Wilson from Helsbury Park said: “We've put dog friendliness at the heart of our business for a number of reasons. Dog owners provide a massive customer base, high quality accommodation that's dog friendly is hard to come by and we're based in a stunning location with walks on site as well as dog friendly beaches nearby. Dog owners are also pretty resilient when it comes to the weather, as long as they have luxury to come home to in the evening!

"Winning the Open for Dogs award is a real feather in our cap and we're proud to welcome dogs and their owners to our beautiful site here in Cornwall."

Caroline Kisko, spokesperson for the Kennel Club, said: “Since launching this competition we have been really impressed by the wide range of services and facilities that are being provided to make dogs and their owners feel welcome. Places like the Helsbury Park are really setting the standard for others to follow.

“These are tough times for businesses but more and more people are seeing the benefits of reaching out to dog owners, who are always looking for somewhere that they can go with their dogs. It makes no sense to exclude customers who are happy to give you their business – especially when dogs actually enhance the appeal of a place, amongst dog owners and non dog owners alike.”

The Open for Dogs Competition is in its second year and customers were invited to nominate places that they thought were pulling out the stops to accommodate our doggie friends with innovative services or simply a bowl of clean water and the promise of a friendly smile.

For more information on dog friendly accommodation, beaches and places to visit in Cornwall download the 'Cornwall Visitor Guide for Dog Owners' by visiting visitcornwall.com.