Ideas... 50th not garden related at all ...but I love gardening

[Kirk]

How about the channel islands, think there is a ferry and that should allow the dog to go along. Catch is the drive from Cumbria to south coast then the ferry if it runs in what will be winter.

Norfolk area is the other that involves mainland UK.
Suppose Northumberland is a bit too close to home.

I went to Norway for my 50th, about the same time of year, lots of snow and ice.

How essential is the dog to take with you?
Just if friends would look after dog and dog would be happy at friends then it opens a lot more up.

[bearded bloke]

How about a narrow boat? Many of the canals are beautiful. Nice waterside pubs, lots of doggy excercise spots and if you hear that the MIL has tracked you down you can just move on.

Unless the canal has frozen overnight the things you never think of that catch you out been there done that, had a nice extended breakfast while the ice breaker barge did it's work

[bearded bloke]

We rented a bothy one year, the next nearest building was 1/2 hour walk to the Glendronach distillery

[Scarlet]

We are staying on the edge of the New a Forest at the moment. It may be a little far for you but the walks in the forest are great. Perfect for a getaway with the dog. Lots of decent pubs around serving good food too.

[vixylix]

I'm with Susie... a nice stone cottage with a roaring log fire up in the lakes, or the moors. Bliss!

What kind of things are you wanting to do while you're there?

[Snoop Puss]

Well, I would have said the Canary Islands. But not much good if you want to take your dog. Spaniards love the Canaries at that time of year, as it's lovely and warm. Not even that expensive either compared to some short breaks.