About Paw Rated
Life’s better when the dog comes too
Paw Rated began with a simple belief: some of the best days are the ones we share with our dogs.
A walk through the woods. A trip to the coast. A welcoming country pub after a long afternoon exploring. Somewhere new to discover, with four paws alongside us.
But anyone who’s travelled or explored with a dog knows that dog-friendly can mean very different things in different places.
Being allowed through the door is one thing. Feeling genuinely welcome is another.
That’s why we created Paw Rated.
We want to help dog owners discover places worth visiting, with practical information, independent opinions and honest assessments of the whole experience.
The story of Arya
Our adventures really began with Arya, our first golden retriever.
Arya had a wonderful enthusiasm for exploring. Beaches, woodland trails, countryside adventures and, of course, a good pub were all part of life with her.
She helped us discover just how rewarding it can be to get out and explore together — and how much difference a genuinely welcoming place can make.
We lost Arya in January 2025, when she was just five years old.
Although her time with us was far too short, the adventures we shared with her helped inspire what Paw Rated has become.
In many ways, this is her legacy: more adventures, more discoveries and more happy memories with the dogs we love.
Meet Marlee and Jessie
The adventures continue with Marlee and Jessie, our two golden retrievers and the current four-legged faces of Paw Rated.
Whether we’re discovering a new walking route, finding somewhere for lunch or returning to a favourite pub garden, they’re usually along for the adventure.
They help us notice the little things that matter: whether there’s enough space to settle, how welcoming the atmosphere feels and whether a place works as well for dogs as it does for their humans.
And, naturally, they’re always enthusiastic about a new outing.
The humans behind the leads
We’re Fred and Paula McKie, the married couple behind Paw Rated.
After moving from Australia to the New Forest in 2023, we’ve spent years enjoying everything this beautiful part of England has to offer alongside our golden retrievers.
We’ve discovered some brilliant dog-friendly places, returned to old favourites and occasionally found that a place described as dog-friendly didn’t quite deliver the experience we’d hoped for.
Those experiences are what encouraged us to create something more useful than another list of places where dogs are permitted.
Paw Rated combines our own visits and assessments with carefully researched information, so you can make more informed decisions about where to go.
Why Paw Rated is different
We look beyond the welcome sign. We consider the practical details and overall experience, not simply whether dogs are allowed.
We value firsthand experience. Our own reviews are based on real visits and observations. Researched listings are identified separately.
We’re happy to be honest. We celebrate brilliant experiences, but we also explain limitations and things you might want to know.
We’re independent in our assessments. Commercial relationships don’t buy better ratings.
We believe details matter. Indoor access, outdoor space, facilities, nearby walks and atmosphere can all make a difference.
Starting locally. Exploring further.
The New Forest is our starting point, and somewhere we’re fortunate to know well.
But our ambition is bigger.
Over time, we hope to bring Paw Rated to more destinations across Britain, helping dog owners discover wonderful places and memorable experiences wherever their adventures take them.
Because the best adventures are the ones we share.
Our Australian chapter
Our adventures together began in Australia, before we moved to the New Forest in 2023.
Our editorial team
Fred McKie
Fred is a co-founder and member of the Paw Rated editorial team. He and Paula moved from Australia to the New Forest in 2023 and explore the area with their golden retrievers.
Paula McKie
Paula is a co-founder and member of the Paw Rated editorial team. Her shared local experience with Fred and their dogs helps shape the practical questions Paw Rated asks about a day out.
On researched listings, a shared editorial-responsibility credit identifies the team accountable for the page. A completed firsthand assessment must identify the actual assessor and visit date.
Paw Rated is operated by McKie Family Enterprises Ltd. Read our editorial and disclosure policy, scoring methodology and Privacy Policy, or contact the team.