Dog-friendly places to stay in Northumberland
If your dog hasn’t been to Northumberland before, prepare for some serious tail-wagging excitement, thanks to the simple pleasure of being in wild nature. This hand-picked selection of inns and cottages all have walks directly from the door, treats for your dog and much comfort for you. Northumberland is an outdoor-lovers paradise and dogs will delight in roaming epic scenic landscapes, splashing in icy cold rivers and tearing around wide sandy beaches. After plenty of adventures on four legs and two, return to fire-warmed dining rooms and tuck into delicious food at a local inn, or cosy up in a characterful cottage and doze your evening away.
Lord Crewe Arms at Blanchland
Tucked in the honey-hued village of Blanchland, this rural Grade II*-listed inn hits the spot with its classy country décor. Deep in a sheep-clad valley (dog lead required) on the moors’ edge with superb walks shooting off in all directions – ask at the hotel for particularly good ones to tackle with your dog. Return to taste robust modern British menus championing local producers and celebrating seasonal harvests. Cosy up in front of a crackling fire while your tuckered out hound dozes and dreams, eat together in The Hilyard or The Derwent. Bedrooms (16 are dog friendly) in the grounds come with divine beds and deep baths for you; beds, towels and bowls for your dog.
Dogs £20. Max. 2 per room.
Stay at Lord Crewe Arms at Blanchland >
The Stables at Brinkburn
Roll down a half-mile drive to a buffed sandstone stablehouse – creeper-covered, gothic-arched, and still part of the centuries-old Brinkburn estate. The restored Augustinian priory lies just beyond. The grounds are yours to explore: swim, roam the woods, or amble with Rover along the riverside (up to three dogs are welcome) looking for otters. Indoors everything’s fresh, white and clutter-free, especially the showpiece glass-walled kitchen, big enough to dine a dozen and with a bountiful welcome hamper. After supper, flop in the wood-lit snug then choose a tome from the bookcase and take the stone stairs to your beamy bedroom.
Dogs £20. Up to three welcome.
Stay at The Stables at Brinkburn >
Laverick Cottage
If you haven’t been to Northumberland before then you’ll be thrilled to enter a world of rolling hills chopped up by dry stone walls, lonely Roman roads, acres of pine forests, and a pleasing dearth of other human beings. Come for long dog walks along bridle paths, footpaths and well-worn sheep paths across to Vindolanda, the Roman fort and the Wall (less than a ten-minute drive). Your old farm worker’s cottage has been niftily done up with a humungous kitchen, French doors to the garden, smart TV and a big OS map on the wall. Views from all windows are far-reaching and will tempt you outside again and again. You can walk off-road to the nearest town, Hexham, which has good independent shops and a rather fine Abbey.
Dogs £25. Up to two welcome.
The Coach House
This converted coach house and stables, now one long cottage, has a country house feel and a secure walled garden with mature shrubs, fruit trees and lawns, and spectacular views shooting across fields and hills. Here you can let the dog roam free, barbecue, play games and star gaze – you’re in the International Dark Sky Park. Surrounded by unspoiled Northumbrian countryside, criss-crossed by miles of dry-stone walls and dotted with many sheep, the walking is impressively scenic. Through the owner’s woodland is the North Tyne for peaceful picnics and salmon fishing. Tuck into homemade cake and wine from your hamper. Upstairs bedrooms are simple and uncluttered with antique furniture and nice views.
Two well behaved dogs welcome.
Chaffinch Cottage, Kidlandlee
Drive three miles from the main road and over cattle grids through spectacular scenery to arrive at (almost) the top of the world – a remote off-grid cottage (all electricity provided by solar panels and wind turbines) 1400 feet above sea level deep in Northumberland National Park. Find a welcome hamper and bottle of champagne, an endless supply of logs for the wood burner, books, DVDs and board games. In summer you can spill out into the enclosed garden and barbecue as the sun sets. Wonderful dog walks through the Coquet valley and up into the Coquetdale hills start from the door. Wander to Harbottle for a pint, browse at Barter Books in Alnwick – both dog friendly – or drive to the whitest, sandiest beaches.
£20 per dog.
Stay at Chaffinch Cottage, Kidlandlee >
Browse all our dog-friendly places to stay in Northumberland >
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.
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