Paws with a Pint at Britain’s Best Dog Pubs
My dog and I have carried out a lot of research across the UK looking for the best dog pubs in Britain. It was hard work, but someone had to do it!
The best pubs offer a great selection of food and drinks, a warm welcome for you and your dog, and great walks on the doorstep. Here are five of our favorite pubs for dogs.
The Brandling Villa in Gosforth, Newcastle made headlines recently for selling a meaty beer for dogs. They have also created a range of a la carte dishes for pets, including a dog version of chicken chasseur and a Sunday roast with a “cat” flavored sauce made from beef broth with fish sauce. If your puppy doesn’t count calories, there is also a dessert menu and Dentastex for later. Manager Dave Carr has a cute beagle named Franco who always likes to meet new four-legged friends. Human visitors will also not be disappointed with a visit to this independent pub with its comfortable leather chairs, good selection of local beers and well-priced food.
The Church House Inn, Devon overlooks the village cricket ground in picturesque Marldon. This Grade 2 listed inn is full of character and was Devon’s first pub to be listed in the Michelin Guide to Pubs. It was also voted Devon’s best country pub by readers of Devon Life. Dogs are welcome in the bar area where you can enjoy the delicious food. There are roaring log fires in the winter and the pub’s pretty garden is a nice place to relax when the sun is shining. There are many beautiful country walks nearby, including the famous John Musgrave Heritage Trail, which runs through Marldon, past the pub and through the grounds of Berry Pomerory Castle on its way to Totnes.
The Lamb Inn in Great Rissington, Gloucestershire is one of our favorite pubs of all time. Paul, Jacqueline and the team are very friendly, the atmosphere is relaxed and the food is fantastic. Dogs are welcome in the bar and in the ensuite rooms, and the pub raises funds to train puppies as guide dogs for the blind by selling handmade bags, pins and second-hand books. The pub is close to some dog-friendly attractions that are perfect for animal lovers, including Cotswolds Wildlife Park and Birdland, and its hilltop position is central for walking to picturesque Cotswold villages like Bourton-On- The-Water.
The Castle Inn near Lulworth Cove in Dorset is firmly established as one of the most dog-friendly pubs in Britain. The picture perfect 16th century thatched free house has an extensive food menu and regularly changing local beers and ciders. The pub is just a short walk from the spectacular dog-friendly beaches at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Dogs are very welcome in the bar, rooms and beer garden, and dog treats are available from the bar. Guests with dogs can enjoy breakfast with their owners and get their own breakfast sausage and can be immortalized on the dog photo pages of the pub’s website.
The Watermill Inn in Cumbria serves up to 16 beers and has its own on-site microbrewery. With award-winning beer and a wide variety of food, it’s no wonder the Watermill Inn won the UK Beer Pub of the Year 2011 award in the Good Pub Guide. Dogs are welcome in the main bar and many of the locals have dogs who are regular visitors and enjoy a favorite drink from the bar. Even the beers have a doggie theme. Favorites include; Collie Wobbles, A Bit’er Ruff, Wruff Night, Paw Christmas, Dogh Dinner, Paws for Thought, Isle of Dogs, Ruff Justice and Dogth Vader. Dogs are welcome to stay with their owners in the B&B accommodation and join them for a sausage for breakfast. There is a charge of GBP 3 per night per dog and GBP 1 of this amount is donated to the Dogs Trust. When you and your dog have enjoyed a walk on the beautiful Lakeland fells, you can submit a photo of your dog taking a well deserved rest in the pub to be featured on Doggie Pages on your website.
All of these pubs are listed on Rover Recommended http://www.roverrecommended.com
If you have visited any of them with your dog, we would love to see your reviews.