Best dog-friendly pubs
Pubs and dogs go together like cheese and pickle. There’s simply no better way to end a great walk or day out than to find a sunny bench in the garden, or a cosy chair by the fire and get a good pint in while your dog falls asleep at your feet. So here are just a few of our favourite dog-friendly pubs across the UK, painstakingly picked out from our full dog-friendly pub collection.
1. The Cat Inn
Sussex
Yes, it’s a strange one to include on a list of our best dog-friendly pubs, but this cat loves dogs. Its location near the South Downs and on the edge of Ashton Forest makes it a perfect pre or post walk venue and there’s a dedicated dog-friendly garden as well as biscuits on the bar, towels for muddy paws and plenty of inglenooks and space by the wood burner for curling up and dozing.
It’s not bad for humans either, with beamed ceilings, planked floors and a bright, airy feel in a 16th-century building that’s been comfortably modernised without losing its character. The food is superb and there are even boots and maps to borrow so there’s no excuse for not exploring the beautiful area before you settle down to eat.
2. The Holford Arms
Tetbury, Gloucestershire
At the side of the long road that takes you into Tetbury sits this unassuming country inn with its whitewashed exterior hiding more secrets than you can shake a stick at. Owners Pete and Tor have worked a special magic here. They have a way with food, drink and atmosphere which would be the envy of many a publican.
Your four-legged friend is welcomed with treats and a 7-acre garden where it can roam while you enjoy the fairy-lit seating and the pub’s own cider. The dog-friendly Westonbirt Arboretum is nearby for exceptional walks and you can also join the Cotswold Way and do some serious hiking.
3. The Peacock at Rowsley
Matlock, Derbyshire
The Peacock sits between two fine houses, Haddon Hall and Chatsworth House, making the most of its Peak District setting. You can follow rivers up to each, the Derwent to Chatsworth, the Wye to the hall, both a romp through beautiful parkland. When you get back, the long, dark wood and stone bar is wonderfully snug on winter days, while the garden is a great spot in summer.
As befits a good dog-friendly pub, there are biscuits and towels for post-river treats and drying off, as well as a good fire to fall asleep in front of. The food, all fantastic, ranges from afternoon tea on the lawn to hearty mains of venison and partridge followed by the famous pudding from nearby Bakewell.
4. Artist Residence Oxford
Witney, Oxfordshire
Not just one of our favourite dog-friendly pubs, but one of our favourite pubs full stop. Lost in the country a few miles west of Oxford, it’s a reinvention of the country pub, though not as you might think. This isn’t a stripped-back monument to contemporary design, rather a cool take on all things retro with quirky art and a little neon mixed in for good measure. You’ll find vintage wallpapers, vivid colours, glass cabinets filled with curios, then a pink, upcycled sofa in the cocktail bar.
Dogs will be spoilt with Lily’s Kitchen treats on arrival, and miles of woodland walks from the front door. The bar and six of the rooms are dog-friendly, so you can always make a stay of it and give yourself time to enjoy local attractions like Blenheim Palace, the Hook Norton brewery and the enchanting beauty of the Cotswolds.
5. The Felin Fach Griffin
Brecon, Powys
Quirky, homespun and colourful, the Griffin makes you feel like you’re staying in the home of a fashionable old friend, with bright art splashed on the walls and the cosiest bar dominated by chunky sofas and a roaring fire. Dogs can run around the grassy beer garden and the friendly staff will spoil them rotten with biscuits and scratches.
They take food and drink seriously here, growing their own and buying locally wherever they can. Sunday roasts are worth a special visit and a diverse lunch menu adds a bit of foodie flair to a day of river dips and hikes in the Brecon Beacons.
Written by
Chris Elmes
Chris is our copywriter, who spins enticing articles out of rough notes and travel tales. Having grown up in rural Wiltshire with only cats, he defected to Team Dog and now roams the countryside with Porth, a gorgeous spaniel named after a Welsh town in what he considers to be a joke. They love disappearing into the hills and coming back hungry for a good pub meal, although Porth has not been convinced to follow Chris into vegetarianism.
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