A ruff guide to Somerset

A tour of hot dog-friendly spots is a joy for Jenny Green and her pets

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Somerset is often overlooked in favour of neighbouring Devon and Dorset but when it comes to dog-friendly breaks, it delivers and you can pack a lot of food, drink and fun into a few days.

One of our first stops was to Clarks Village, in Street, which was voted the UK's most pet-friendly shopping centre at the 2024 DogFriendly awards.

It bills itself as a place "where retail meets relaxation" - and, while I wouldn't normally put those two words together, visiting is actually a joy.

The retail outlet, on the site of the old Clarks shoe factory, is home to more than 90 big brands, including Levis, Le Creuset and M&S. Many of the shops allow dogs inside and also offer prices that are up to 60% lower than the recommended retail price.

When we visited, accessibility was key for us as Ernie was using a dog buggy while recovering from a leg injury. But the wide paved walkways made it a breeze to wheel him around and the shady, landscaped garden was a great spot to sit and relax. The boys also had a good chance to exercise their puppy dog eyes when I tucked in to a delicious halloumi wrap from street food vendor, My Greek Fat Wraps.