Tails are wagging throughout Britain at the prospect of not being sent to the kennels this summer.
Country pursuits are often enhanced by having a faithful companion in tow. And there’s nothing better after a day out than relaxing in your cottage or inn, with your dog spread out in front of a roaring fire. Many establishments now actively welcome canine guests – here’s our round up of our favourite dog friendly hotels.
York House Tetbury, Gloucestershire
This idyllic boutique B&B is perfectly situated for Highgrove, Westonbirt Arboretum, Badminton and Beaufort Polo Club. Prices start from £85 for one night, midweek. Dogs £15 per night.
(01666 504 508; http://yorkhousetetbury.com)
Bailiffscourt Hotel and Spa, West Sussex
Think antique Gothic furniture, dining in a wood-panelled dining room, walks along Climping beach and cream teas. The doggy room-service list includes grooming essentials, toys and treats. Owners from £255 for dinner, bed and breakfast, dogs £12.75.
(01903 723511; www.hshotels.co.uk)
Hell Bay, Isles of Scilly
Hounds fly for free to the Isles of Scilly. Hell Bay is on Bryher, a pooch paradise with its white beaches, and dog packages include blankets, chews and beach balls. Owners from £155 for dinner, bed and breakfast, dogs £12. Skybus (01736 334220; www.skybus.co.uk) operates from Land’s End, Southampton, Newquay, Exeter and Bristol from £109 return.
(01720 422947; www.hellbay.co.uk)
St Cuthberts Farmhouse, The Borders
This five-bedroom traditional Victorian manor farmhouse near Coldstream is set within 600 acres, so both dogs and owners can have a field day. Shooting on neighbouring historic estates and fishing on the River Tweed. Sleeps 10. £1,200 per week.
(020–7223 0233; www.stcuthertsfarmhouse.co.uk)
Royal Sportsman Hotel, North Wales
The Royal Sportsman Hotel in Porthmadog is often described as the Gateway to Snowdonia. Dog walking, sitting and grooming are available, and guests are greeted by the hotel’s own rescue dog, Gelert, a thoroughbred Welsh collie. Owners from £70 for dinner, bed and breakfast, dogs £3.50. (01766 512015, www.royalsportsman.co.uk)
Titchwell Manor, Norfolk
Pooch packages at the late-Victorian Titchwell Manor Hotel include dog blanket, tower, water bowl and treats, and the hotel is close to the renowned Holkham Bay. Dogs curl up in Titchwell’s bar and lounge. Owners from £55 per night, dogs £8.
(01485 210221; www.titchwellmanor.com)
Atholl Arms Hotel, Scottish Highlands
The Atholl Arms Hotel, next to the entrance of Blair Castle, home of the Duke of Atholl, is close to beautiful glens, moorland and forests, and can provide the perfect romantic getaway. There’s also fishing in the Tummel and Tay rivers. Owners £60, dogs £5.
(01796 481205; www.athollarmshotel.co.uk)
Cliveden, Berkshire
Top dogs check in to the National Trust’s quintessential country house Cliveden, with its walks on the banks of the Thames. Owners from £340, including a three-course à la carte dinner, breakfast and all doggy treats, beds, blankets and bowls.
(01628 668561; www.clivedenhouse.co.uk)
Malmaison Oxford, Oxfordshire
The inmates at Oxford’s former jail get banged up in style. Dog package includes basket, food and water bowls and a rubber bone. Intellectual townie dogs tend to favour the colleges, country hounds prefer Port Meadow. Owners £99, pooches £10.
(01865 268400; www.malmaison-oxford.com)
Aller Farm, Devon
Go back to basics with an eco-friendly break on a Feather Down Farm. There are 21 farms across England. Aller Farm, near Honiton, is near the Jurassic Coast’s beaches and fishing villages. Stay in a sizeable tent with interiors reflecting rural life from yesteryear. Costs from £195 for three nights, dogs £4.
(01420 80804; www.featherdown.co.uk)
The Snooty Fox, Gloucestershire
Fred, the resident Great Dane, welcomes fellow four-legged friends to curl up by their masters in the bar or join him by the hall fire at The Snooty Fox, in Tetbury, after a long day exploring the Cotswolds. Owners £70 per night, dogs £10.
(01666 502436; www.snooty-fox.co.uk)
Hotel du Vin, Yorkshire
The eight Georgian-styled houses that make up Harrogate Hotel du Vin are close to the colourful delights of Valley Gardens, RHS Harlow Carr and Ripley Castle. Doggy pack includes blanket, bowl and mat. Owners from £130, dogs £10.
(01423 856800; www.hotelduvin.com)
Doonbank Cottage, Ayrshire
Three-bedroom Doonbank Cottage, which sleeps five, has more than four acres of woodland, with rabbits and squirrels to chase. For owners, there’s golf at Turnberry and Royal Troon. From £400 per week.
(www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p402731)
Helsbury Park, Cornwall
Helsbury Park offers three luxury farm cottages with access to 100 acres of woodland and pasture. Nearby are Cornish attractions and dog-friendly beaches and pubs. Westhayes sleeps six and costs from £795 per week. Couples from £595 per week, dogs £20.
(01840 211726; www.helsburypark.co.uk)
Bwthyn Bach, Pembrokeshire
The Welsh Tourist Office recommends The Woof Guide for dog-friendly holidays and rental cottages. Two-bedroom Bwthyn Bach near Little Haven has a lovely coastal walk and nearby local village pubs serving hearty fare. £290 per week.
(01437 765765; www.thewoofguide.com)
Mouse Hole Cottage, Cumbria
Hoseasons’ Mouse Hole Cottage is not only surrounded by magnificent Cumbrian scenery on the edge of the Lake District, it even has its own canine hydro pool and a dog-agility course next door. Sleeps four and costs from £274 per week.
(0844 847 1354; www.hoseasons.co.uk (cottage code E4246). All prices shown above are total per night unless otherwise stated)
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