Great dog-friendly places to stay in Norfolk
Norfolk’s wide open spaces, vast empty beaches and endless scenic footpaths are heaven for those on two legs and four. Shoot off in any direction for superb walks to get tails wagging and noses sniffing. Then return to our hand-picked selection of supremely dog-friendly places to stay. We’ve chosen elegant inns and smart hotels where your dog can snooze at your feet while you dine on sublime food and you both get to sleep in style. And, we’ve sniffed out cosy cottages with dog treats in the cupboard, secure gardens to give you peace of mind and walks galore from the door.
The Gunton Arms
A richly atmospheric elegance infuses this beautifully restored, fire-warmed inn and the setting is stunning. One thousand acres of lush and historic parkland awaits – just sublime for long dog walks. Inside, there’s a colourful hunting lodge style with a blazing log fire in the traditional bar (dogs welcome too) and elegant lounges with deer-filled views from every window. Tuck into rib of beef, venison from the park and crab from Cromer in the vaulted dining room. Stuart (ex-Mark Hix) champions locally sourced ingredients, so enjoy simple, gutsy ingredient-led cooking. Bedrooms, some dog-friendly, ooze country house charm with antiques, gorgeous fabrics and indulgent marble-tiled bathrooms, some with deep tubs and walk-in showers.
“Chic country house decor, rustic modern cooking and gorgeous rooms await at this beautifully restored inn set within a vast deer park. Don’t miss the mini roof terrace off the landing with its deck chairs – perfect for a sundowner on a summer’s evening.” – Inspector David
Congham Hall
This is a beautiful Georgian merchant’s house with an indoor pool and treatment rooms set in 30 acres of parkland. Gardeners grow flowers for the house, vegetables for the kitchen and keep everything looking serene. There are sunbeds and a hot tub on the decked terrace, too. Inside, country house interiors have an elegant contemporary feel with an open fire in the sitting room. If you want to dine with your dog, eat in the Library or Bar where meals from the main dining room menu are served. The 11 Garden Rooms are all dog-friendly, big and airy, and open onto the kitchen garden. The hotel recommends dog-friendly walks in the countryside and on local beaches (the north Norfolk coast is close), as well as places where your pooch can run off lead. Don’t forget to hose muddy paws on your return.
“We really enjoyed our stay. The hotel is in very good condition, the staff were excellent, spa treatments were very good and all at a reasonable price.” – Guest Diane
The Willows Cottage
Escape to this cosy, restful cottage – a stroll from the village pub, close to the coast – for birders, walkers and loafers, and their dogs. Pack binoculars and take to the boardwalk through the acres of reed beds and woodland of the nature reserve just beyond the garden gate. Bring walking gear and explore little-changed countryside and the wild north Norfolk coast where seemingly endless empty beaches blend into the sky. Coastal villages, some now chic, like Holkham and Stiffkey, have good pub food and bistros; No 1 Cromer’s fish and chips are renowned. You’re left dog walk and dog-friendly beach information, a welcome pack with treats and a dog holiday collar tag. Return to settle by the wood-burning stove with a well-run dog at your feet.
“We love this lovely comfortable quirky cottage. We take our dog, and it’s a perfect location as it is immediately adjacent to the Nature Reserve for early morning and late afternoon walks.” – Guest Richard
The Harper
Close to the expansive north Norfolk coast, this is a contemporary hotel with a laid-back vibe – children and dogs are welcomed as warmly as adults. Great care has gone into the design and style of this striking brick-and-flint barn and an industrial aesthetic reigns inside. Unbend on fat leather sofas under a high vaulted ceiling in the lounge, hang out in the games room opening to a Mediterranean-style courtyard. A number of smart bedrooms are dog-friendly and your pooch can dine with you in The Bar, The Yard and Ivy’s. Meals are a treat: modern British dishes using local ingredients. From the village, you can walk straight into open countryside with footpaths to Blakeney and the coast along a landscape of salt marshes, creeks and mudflats. Get breakfast – all home cooked to order – delivered to your room if you fancy a lazy start to the day.
“A smart hotel set in beautiful barns that once housed the Langham Glass factory, just minutes from salt marshes and vast sandy beaches. Expect a big welcome to families and dogs, an all-day menu and a pool, sauna and treatments.” – Inspector David
Little Barn, Briston
Charming gardens for you and your dog, and an 1880s Norfolk farmhouse with Little Barn attached but utterly private. Inside is immaculate yet homely; cook as elaborately as you like in the well-equipped kitchen/diner while chatting to everybody else in the sitting room with cosy wood-burner a step below. French windows open to your own beautifully kept piece of garden, completely secure for dogs, and with table and chairs for eating al fresco – you’re free to roam the big garden too. Take walks or cycle from your front door, stock up in Briston (one mile), the coast is half an hour away. Comfortable to return here after a day of blowy walks, crabbing, bird and seal watching, or exploring historic Holt.
“The cottage is full of charm and character with beautiful gardens either side, both peaceful and relaxing. We only had the sound of a light breeze in the tree tops and bird song. We will be back next year.” – Guests Kevan & Stephanie
Stay at Little Barn, Briston >
The Brisley Bell
A transformed 17th-century pub overlooking the village common now a handsome inn with two stylish dining rooms, a book-lined garden room and a cosy snug with an open fire. Sit at the friendly bar or in the spacious garden, dine in the Bar or the Snug with your dog. The converted barns house two dog-friendly bedrooms set around a courtyard and opening to the charming garden. On Mondays and Tuesdays breakfast is continental, and for the rest of the week you can choose anything you fancy, cooked to order. You’ll want to stay for lunch and dinner too – the French chef’s hearty pub food attracts plenty of locals and has won over the critics. On sunny days you’ll be supping a local ale outside, playing croquet or listening to the comforting sound of leather on willow from the cricket club. You’re 20 miles from the north Norfolk coast.
“We visited for dinner with friends and this was the perfect choice. The bar was buzzy, the dining room had a luxe country pub vibe and there was a cosy fireside spot for after dinner drinks.” – Guest Andrea
Written by
Carmen McCormack
Carmen is a freelance writer specialising in travel. She once lived in a bus in north Wales, skipped off to study in Barcelona, and now calls Bristol home. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she can be found reading (a lot), lake swimming (a little), and pottering on the allotment with husband and two kiddos. She’s currently dreaming about cold cerveza and torta in Mexico.
Sign up to our newsletter
We’d love you to join our community! Receive a bi-weekly dose of
dog-friendly travel inspiration and be the first to hear about brand new spaces.
