✅ How to book your XL Escape

All bookings for Fluffball Dog Gym, Pet Supplies and Self Wash are managed directly through their booking system. For the latest prices, availability and booking information, please click "Book Now" to be directed to their page.

Kim & Chris Ewen

We are SO excited to welcome you to our home! As the founders of XL Escapes, we pour our hearts into creating a space where you can relax, unwind, and make lasting memories.

With two rescue dogs—Holly from Bosnia and Buddy from All Bullie Rescue—and Nala, our beautiful ginger cat (and undisputed Queen of the house), we understand how important it is to feel not just at home, but truly content and relaxed—especially when traveling with your furry companions.

Our goal is to offer more than just a holiday; we want to provide a home away from home where you can escape daily pressures, have a laugh, and enjoy quality time with loved ones. Whether it’s a cosy night in, exploring the local area, or simply making time for yourself, we’re here to make your stay special.

If you have any requests—big or small—just let us know. We’re always happy to help (and we love an excuse to bring a smile to your face, drink in hand, of course!).

Cancellation Policy

We understand that plans can change, and we’ve designed our cancellation policy to be as fair and transparent as possible.

If You Need to Cancel

More than 5 weeks before arrival: You’ll receive a full refund, including your deposit.
5 weeks or less before arrival:
- 5 weeks or less: 30% of the booking is charged.
- 4 weeks or less: 40% of the booking is charged.
- 3 weeks or less: 60% of the booking is charged.
- 2 weeks or less: 85% of the booking is charged.
- 1 week or less: 100% of the booking is charged.

How Refunds Work

If you’re entitled to a refund, it will be processed promptly and returned via the same method of payment.

Need Assistance?

If you have any concerns or extenuating circumstances, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help and will always try to find a solution that works for you.

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Payment Details
At XL Escapes, we strive to make the booking process as straightforward and secure as possible. Here’s how it works:
Deposits

A 20% deposit is required within 7 days of booking to secure your stay.

XL Escapes Booking Fee

We charge a small 5% booking fee, which is significantly lower than other major platforms.

Remaining Balance

The remaining balance, including any refundable breakage deposit (if applicable), must be paid 4 weeks before your check-in date.

Secure Payments with Stripe
All payments are processed through Stripe Connect, a trusted and secure platform. Your funds are safely held with Stripe until after your check-out date. This extra layer of protection ensures peace of mind for both guests and hosts. Your payment details are always handled securely, so you can book with confidence.

Check-in and Check-out

Check-in: 4 PM
Check-out: 10 AM
We can’t guarantee early check-ins or late check-outs, but our housekeeping team will update us on their progress. If the property is ready early, you can let yourself in. Similarly, if no one is arriving immediately after, a later check-out might be possible—just message us on the day to check availability.

Pets

Dogs of all breeds and sizes are welcome. 🐾
The garden is fully enclosed to keep your furry friends safe.

Hot Tub

The hot tub is for your exclusive use. It will be freshly cleaned and ready when you arrive. Please follow the usage guidelines provided in the welcome book to ensure it remains in top condition.

Parking

Parking is strictly on the driveway only.
Do not park on the grass or the private road, which is also used by neighbours.

Gatherings and Events

Small, private gatherings are welcome, but parties are not allowed.
Be respectful of the property and neighbours during your stay.

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What’s included in the booking?

We provide:

Fresh bedding and towels
Tea, coffee, sugar, sweetener, and coffee pods
A raw doggy hamper (treat your furry friends!) 🐾
Dog-friendly essentials like bowls, poo bags, and towels
A welcome hamper to make you feel right at home
Access to the luxury hot tub

What amenities are nearby?

Owl and Otter Gastro Pub and Restaurant: A 10-minute walk away. Dog-friendly with great food, cocktails, and a beer garden boasting stunning views of the Derwentside Valley.
Boutique cafes: Two charming cafes just a short walk from The Chase.
Local shops: Two within walking distance and larger supermarkets only a 10-minute drive away.

What are some recommended activities nearby?

Beamish Open-Air Museum: A dog-friendly, fantastic day out for all ages. Explore history, meet animals, and enjoy a unique experience.
More local attractions: Ask us for our Local Recommendations Guide before booking to discover even more options in the area.

Can I book The Chase for special events?

Yes! If you’re planning a small celebration or gathering, let us know so we can help accommodate your plans. Please note that large parties are not allowed.

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Meet Your Hosts

Our story began with Cheryl. A little-known fact about her is that while most children had imaginary friends, Cheryl had an imaginary zoo. She always knew she wanted to work with animals. For her 11th birthday she received her first dog, Cookie, a lovable Collie cross. At first she thought he sounded more like a guinea pig than a dog, but it didn't take long before the two became inseparable. Despite his fluffy appearance, Cookie had a true working-dog mindset, and Cheryl dedicated herself to training him. He became an expert at walking off lead and even knew how to cross roads safely. Wherever Cheryl went, Cookie followed, even jumping over 6ft fences just to be by her side. He lived to the age of 17 and passed away just one month before his birthday. Inspired by Cookie, Cheryl and Aiden went on to own, rescue, train and rehabilitate numerous dogs. Cheryl became one of the first groomers in Sheffield to specialise in reactive dogs and dogs with nervous aggression. Today they run South Yorkshire's first dog gym, offering specialised activity and play sessions. They currently share their lives with six dogs, four of which are rescues, along with five cats and two axolotls. If you'd prefer to own your own Firepaw treadmill instead of visiting the gym, Fluffball also offers an affiliate discount. Enter the code FLUFFBALL at checkout on the Firepaw website to receive a discount and a free running harness.

XL Escapes Peace Of Mind Promise

Every business you see on XL Escapes has confirmed to us that they welcome XL Bullies. Before being listed, we ask the questions we'd want answered ourselves — from real experience living and travelling with XL and reactive dogs. That includes confirming they are happy to host XL Bullies, that their listing details are accurate, and that they've considered their own legal and insurance responsibilities. We don't assume. We don't guess. We ask — and they confirm. If anything changes or a business doesn't stand by what they've told us, we take it seriously. If a business listed on XL Escapes turns you away because of your dog's breed, contact us. We will review it, remove them if necessary, and refund your membership.

Cancellation Policy

Home Rules & Useful Information

Fluffball Dog Gym and Pet Supplies

⚲ Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Dog-powered gym · Self-wash station · Pet supplies · XL Bullies welcome

Fluffball is Sheffield's pioneering dog gym featuring Firepaw treadmills, a pet supplies shop and a self-wash station. Established in 2015, this family-run business provides a fun, healthy space for dogs and their owners, with a special focus on nervous, anxious and reactive dogs. XL Bullies are welcome in both the gym and shop.

Book Now

Full Property Description:

Does your dog love to run as fast as possible? Are zoomies becoming a regular feature around the house, with little concern for your furniture, your legs or even themselves? Why not let them discover the fun of unlimited zoomies on our dog-powered slat mills? Fluffball is Sheffield's pioneering dog gym, featuring Firepaw treadmills, a pet supplies shop and a self-wash station. Our mission is to provide a fun, healthy space for dogs and their owners. Upstairs on the precinct you'll find our pet supplies shop, run by Aiden. We stock a range of food, including raw, pre-packaged and natural treats, along with toys, beds, collars and leads for dogs, cats and small animals. All animals are welcome in the shop. Downstairs Cheryl runs the gym and self-wash area. We specialise in working with nervous and anxious dogs, dogs with fear aggression, large breeds and double-coated breeds. XL Bullies remain welcome in both the salon and shop. In the shop we stock a wide range of products including leads, collars, harnesses, beds, natural treats and food options ranging from biscuits to raw food, alongside products for cats and small animals. Brands include DAF, Ancol, Anco, Bugalugs and more. Our dog gym features advanced Firepaw equipment, trusted by NATO and military units worldwide, to help dogs reach their full potential. Whether your dog needs to lose weight, build muscle, improve agility, prepare for flyball or simply burn off energy, our dog-powered treadmills provide a safe way to exercise. They're also suitable for disabled dogs, including blind, deaf, three-legged dogs or dogs using wheels, as the treadmill only moves as fast as the dog chooses. Our self-wash station is ideal after muddy walks, swimming adventures or those mysterious smells dogs always seem to find. The bath accommodates dogs of all sizes, with a ramp available if required. Towels are provided, along with a powerful dryer, and shampoo can either be brought from home or purchased in convenient 60ml bottles. With an ex-groomer on site we also offer nail trims, ear cleaning and anal gland expression. We even trim nails for cats and small animals. If you've previously been told your dog needs sedation for a nail trim, we'd encourage you to try us first.

About This Listing

This property is owned and managed by the host. The information below is provided by the property owner and confirmed as accurate by them.
XL Escapes publishes this information to help guests make informed decisions and does not own or manage this property.

Full Property Description:

Does your dog love to run as fast as possible? Are zoomies becoming a regular feature around the house, with little concern for your furniture, your legs or even themselves? Why not let them discover the fun of unlimited zoomies on our dog-powered slat mills? Fluffball is Sheffield's pioneering dog gym, featuring Firepaw treadmills, a pet supplies shop and a self-wash station. Our mission is to provide a fun, healthy space for dogs and their owners. Upstairs on the precinct you'll find our pet supplies shop, run by Aiden. We stock a range of food, including raw, pre-packaged and natural treats, along with toys, beds, collars and leads for dogs, cats and small animals. All animals are welcome in the shop. Downstairs Cheryl runs the gym and self-wash area. We specialise in working with nervous and anxious dogs, dogs with fear aggression, large breeds and double-coated breeds. XL Bullies remain welcome in both the salon and shop. In the shop we stock a wide range of products including leads, collars, harnesses, beds, natural treats and food options ranging from biscuits to raw food, alongside products for cats and small animals. Brands include DAF, Ancol, Anco, Bugalugs and more. Our dog gym features advanced Firepaw equipment, trusted by NATO and military units worldwide, to help dogs reach their full potential. Whether your dog needs to lose weight, build muscle, improve agility, prepare for flyball or simply burn off energy, our dog-powered treadmills provide a safe way to exercise. They're also suitable for disabled dogs, including blind, deaf, three-legged dogs or dogs using wheels, as the treadmill only moves as fast as the dog chooses. Our self-wash station is ideal after muddy walks, swimming adventures or those mysterious smells dogs always seem to find. The bath accommodates dogs of all sizes, with a ramp available if required. Towels are provided, along with a powerful dryer, and shampoo can either be brought from home or purchased in convenient 60ml bottles. With an ex-groomer on site we also offer nail trims, ear cleaning and anal gland expression. We even trim nails for cats and small animals. If you've previously been told your dog needs sedation for a nail trim, we'd encourage you to try us first.

Paw of Approval

Photos from real stays, with dogs who gave it their paw of approval.

Got a question about this holiday home?

Contact us or send us an instant message now

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Amenities:

Dog-Friendly Details That Matter

XL Bullies are welcome. Reactive dogs are welcome. The team specialises in working with nervous, anxious and fear-aggressive dogs. Large breeds and double-coated breeds are welcomed. Muzzles are required at all times while inside the shop. Within the salon and gym, muzzles can be removed at appropriate times. Copies of vaccination records, titre test results or exemption certificates are kept on file. The gym and salon are fully indoors with no outdoor exercise yard. The salon has its own separate entrance, which remains locked whenever dogs are inside. The shop and salon have separate entrances to help manage dogs more comfortably. The maximum number of dogs accommodated at one time is five, depending on their size. Dogs should be toileted before attending. Larger dogs often take two or three sessions to become fully confident using the treadmill. A bath suitable for all dog sizes is available, with a ramp if needed. Towels are provided for the self-wash station. A professional dryer is available to use. Shampoo can be brought from home or purchased on site. Off-road parking is available at the rear of the building. Cheryl's own dog, Lilith, can be used to help with socialisation where appropriate. Other animals are kept on site.

Neighbourhood Overview:

Fluffball is located in a residential area of Sheffield with parks and woodland nearby, giving owners plenty of opportunities for walks before or after their visit. Off-road parking is available to the rear of the building.