St Michael’s Resort, Falmouth, Cornwall
Make the most of Cornwall’s spectacular coastal scenery with a stay at St Michael’s, set in leafy sub-tropical gardens with lovely views towards idyllic Gylly Beach. The location makes for easy early morning and sunset walks on the sand, and dogs are welcomed with pet beds, towels, treats and a doggie guide to local attractions. The Brasserie on the Bay serves up the best local fish and seafood with gorgeous sea views, while the Garden Kitchen offers more informal meals. Pets aren’t allowed in the dining areas or the spa and health club, although they are welcome in the arrival lounge – and until the end of May, pets stay free.
Doubles from £149 B&B, £20 per dog per night; stmichaelsresort.com
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Manchester
An imposing Grade II-listed Victorian building in the heart of the city, the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is stylish and welcoming. It’s a magnificent place to stay with a dog. The loft-style bedrooms are spacious and packed with thoughtful extras for your pet: a tuck box with soft toys, a brush, doggy cologne, poo bags, treats galore… There’s a luxurious dog bed and bowls and cosy places to snooze. Dogs are allowed to roam free in this hotel and are made a great fuss of by the staff – so you can enjoy the wonderful Refuge dining room and bar with your canine pal beside you. Always looking for new ways to make your companion comfortable, the hotel has just launched a mini dog version of its Sunday roast.
Doubles from £209 B&B (£178 with member’s discount), dogs stay for free; kimptonclocktowerhotel.com
Slebech Park, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
An elegant Georgian manor house, set on the tranquil Daugleddau estuary and surrounded by 750 acres of rolling Welsh landscapes, Slebech is a wonderful place to escape to, along with your four-legged friend. Doggy visitors get their very own welcome pack of bowls, towels and treats, and eight of the cosy rooms are dog-friendly, only the bar and restaurant are dog-free zones. A great choice for wildlife lovers, the estate is also home to badgers, otters, osprey and birds of prey, with a wide variety of walking trails from right outside the hotel’s door.
Doubles from £120 B&B, dogs £15 per stay; slebech.co.uk
The Fish Hotel, Broadway, Cotswolds
One of three hotels on the Farncombe Estate, which offers everything from clay-pigeon shooting to yoga, tennis and archery, with luxurious rooms scattered across the hillside. Doggy friends get their own bed, bowls, towel and treats, and are welcome in both the bar and lounge, although not in the restaurant. Most dog-friendly rooms are in the “medium” category, but there are two suites and one treehouse, where dogs are also welcome. Outside, the tangle of walking trails is complemented by the Pooch’s Playground, a dog-focused activity area.
Doubles from £220 B&B, dogs £30 per stay; thefishhotel.co.uk
The Talbot, Malton, North Yorkshire
Malton is renowned as the most dog-friendly town in the country, and the Talbot makes a great base for exploring the spectacular North Yorkshire landscapes. A 17th-century coaching inn, most of the Talbot’s chic, comfortable bedrooms can be booked with your dog, and staff will happily recommend the best local walk according to your dog’s needs. Food is a big part of a stay, with indulgent afternoon teas on offer alongside hearty dinners of slow-braised ox cheek or trout with brown crab risotto, and dogs are welcome in all areas apart from the restaurant (the same menu can be ordered in the bar).
Doubles from £128 B&B, dogs £20 per night; talbotmalton.co.uk
Knockderry House, Cove, Scottish Borders
Past winner of Scotland’s best dog-friendly hotel award, Knockderry is set among glorious lakeside scenery on the shores of Loch Long, with 15 rooms set across the original 19th-century house, and contemporary extension. Dogs are welcomed throughout the hotel, including the restaurant, with five designated dog-friendly rooms and a “Doggie Package” including a dog menu, treats, towel and water bowl, along with a list of dog-friendly walks and places to visit.
Doubles from £169 B&B, dogs £10 per night (£15 for two); knockderryhouse.co.uk
Down Hall Hotel, Bishop’s Stortford, Essex
A quintessential English retreat steeped in over 1,000 years of history, Down Hall oozes country house style, while remaining a relaxed, welcoming place to stay with your dog. Each of the pet-friendly rooms has double doors leading out into the grounds, with dogs allowed in the lounges and on the outdoor restaurant terrace, although not in the main restaurant. Water bowls, dog bed and a treat box are provided, with a number of walking trails crisscrossing the estate, and the luxury Eden spa to return to, ideal for a little post-stroll pampering.
Doubles from £162 room-only, dogs £20 per night; downhall.co.uk
Rothay Manor, Ambleside, Lake District
Dogs are treated as part of the family at this lovely Lakes retreat, with a dedicated dog-friendly dining room, dog beds, towels and treats and plenty of information available on the best dog-friendly attractions nearby. The hotel itself is a chic country house, with 23 spacious rooms, decked out in muted colours and stylish prints, with monsoon showers and crisp, fluffy linens. Dining at Rothay is a high point of the stay, with an inventive menu inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian cuisine.
Doubles from £160 B&B, £20 per dog per stay; slh.com
The Dog at Wingham, Canterbury, Kent
The clue is in the name, as the Dog – a welcoming pub with rooms, welcomes four-legged visitors in all areas, including the bar and restaurant. A stone’s throw from Canterbury, this is a great base for exploring Kent’s rolling hills and lush orchards. Bedrooms are comfortable, and the hearty breakfasts are the perfect fuel for a day’s walking, while in the evening the restaurant offers the best of local Kentish produce, and the well-stocked bar boasts over 50 gins.
Doubles from £150 B&B, dogs £25 per stay; thedog.co.uk
The Harper, Langham, Norfolk
Currently one of Norfolk’s hippest places to stay, the Harper boasts 32 sleek bedrooms, filled with five-star treats, from Negronis in the mini bar to Nespresso machines and a sumptuously comfortable Casper mattress. Dogs are welcome in all areas apart from Stanley’s restaurant, and there’s a dedicated “Dog & Boot” room for washing muddy paws, with clean towels provided. Dog beds can be supplied, and the glorious wide sandy beaches of the North Norfolk coast are just a stone’s throw away.
Doubles from £220 B&B; dogs £25 per night; theharper.co.uk.
