Why my dog loves staying at Harrison Holidays

As a new owner with an energetic five month old puppy, the idea of taking our fur baby Keeley on holiday with us was a daunting one. Going abroad was out of the question and the last few years had given us an appetite to see more of what this country had to offer, so we were delighted to find the perfect spot just an hour away from Manchester for a long weekend away, with easy access to walking routes and a few miles out of Southport with scenic coastline to explore at our leisure.

We arrived at Riverside with the weather on our side, and were greeted by reception who gave us a bag of “Pawsome treats” for Keeley to enjoy as we checked in. Never shy of some attention, she was met with plenty of fuss from staff and was delighted to quench her thirst at the water bowl at the front of reception while we discussed the local area and things to do on site (of which there’s plenty). The brand new swimming pool has just opened at Riverside with a well equipped gym that we were sure to pay a visit to when Keeley was ready for a nap.

Riverside has plenty of options for pet owners to stay during their visit, and we were fortunate enough to visit one of the Glamping Hives first as Keeley stretched her legs on the adjoining lawn and took in the views. The Hive offers a modern and luxurious option to staying at the site with a comfortable and spacious interior that is simply perfect for a couple or small family, complete with a decking area to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine on days like these.

But as our sole family staycation of the year, we chose to stay in one of the holiday homes for an extra bit of space to unwind and were absolutely delighted with our choice. Situated at the side of the park with stunning surrounding views of the area, we were impressed with the large living space, bedroom and bathroom that we would be calling home for the next few days. And for Keeley (who we’d opted to spoil with her own bedroom), a ‘pet station’ feeding area for her to enjoy which was a lovely touch.

As we stepped outside onto the decking area, we noticed a big treat in store for Keeley who was positively brimming with energy after being cooped up in the car. A wooden sign out of our window displayed one of the crowning glories of the park: “Riverside Holiday Park Dog Walk”.

After unpacking and enjoying a nice brew, we took a stroll over to the dog walking area expecting something like a large garden and were delighted to find a long stretch around the park surrounded by roaming fields and a seemingly endless path adorned with hedgerows to let her off the lead and explore the sights and smells of our countryside retreat.

We met other dog owners on our walks who were similarly impressed with how accommodating Riverside was for their four legged companions and we knew that we’d made the right choice. Many of the guests we met have made this an annual trip or gone on to purchase a holiday home for themselves where they knew that their pets would enjoy their stay as much as them