Some of us can’t get enough of those soppy furry friends of ours, whether you be ‘that girl’ who carries a dog the size of a hairbrush in your handbag or the one hurtling down the street with your ridgeback; canine-separation-anxiety is a very real thing for more than care to admit it. That’s why we see no harm in scoping out those doggy friendly hotels so Bouncer can join you on your weekend away. He may spoil the romance at times but at least he’s a good excuse to get those legs moving and explore the local walks and sights. Here’s Mensos Concierge’s guide to the best hotels in the UK that welcome our four-legged chums with open arms.
Imagine Daylesford Organic doing overnight stays. Well they do. Pack the parents off to Lady Bamford’s vision of gastropub extraordinaire.
Well-placed pots of no particular use, crusty homemade breads from the traditional Josper oven and roaring log fires all add to the ‘I want to move in’ vibe. But it’s the fact that dogs are welcome in the garden rooms and that supper can be grabbed in the bar over a game of dominos – all making for a cosy stay in this 18th century renovated masterpiece.
From £135 B&B (2 night minimum stay at weekends)
The Victoria at Holkham, Norfolk
Good old Norfolk has it all. No need to fear that Friday night drive to the Moors as it’ll be well worth it when you awake to the sea breeze outside of a Saturday morning. The Victoria in Holkham is renowned for its envious location to its beach of the same name.
You can also take the dog for an active weekend returning from hearty walks along the coastline to a feast of a menu. Expect locally caught fish, local beef and game from the nearby Holkham Estate so the food is as fresh as you could find it anywhere else.
From £160 B&B
The Lion Inn, Gloucestershire
Undoubtedly one of the prettiest pubs in the UK, this 15th century coaching inn has been lovingly restored careful retaining quirky original features of the building they unearthed along the way.
Bedrooms are TV-free but they’re more than happy to bring up your tea and coffee requests with the papers. Of an evening, you can enjoy the locally-sourced menu that regularly changes with ingredients that are fresh and available that day. To be enjoyed at the fireside with a game of Scrabble. They’re so dog-friendly they’ll even let you bring two of the buggers.
From £115 B&B (Fido is an additional £15)
You can take your pick from most of its 67 acres to breathe in the stunning views over Lake Windermere. Their crowning glory being their location you can choose an afternoon with a wind in your hair on the lake, a game of croquet on their lawn or a bracing walk to one of their famed local viewpoints. Lucky then that they accept dogs to join your exploration of the Lake District’s National Park. As this is service of the highest regard, expect your dogs to receive as much of a welcome as you do.
For added romance add in a private visit to their hot tub soaking up the views with a glass of champagne and book in for a very special meal in their restaurant.
From £320 B&B
Hotel Endsleigh gives a whole new meaning to the word romance. The gardens were designed over 200 years ago so expect to stumble upon secluded spots for picnics or spontaneous trysts. Not that we’d encourage that of course.
There are stables nearby to enjoy a ride on Dartmoor or leave your lady friend fawning over the interiors and head off for a spot of fishing. Roll-top baths, hand-painted walls and roaring log fires run throughout. Well-behaved dogs are welcome so no mischievous labradors as you cannot be seen to be chasing an over-zealous dog around the hotel.
From £260 B&B (2 night minimum stay at the weekends)
If you need our help finding the perfect weekend retreat whatever the specification, call or email us for more information. We can book your weekends away at a cost of £75 plus VAT saving you time and energy on the dreaded internet trawl.
