12 of the most dog-friendly pubs in the UK
Date published: 24 Oct 2025
There’s no shortage of spots that say they welcome dogs, but the best dog-friendly pubs go a step further – they make the dogs part of the furniture. From biscuits on the bar to dog menus and muddy paw tolerance, these are the places where tails wag as much as tongues.
Across the UK, a new breed of doggie pubs has emerged, swapping “no dogs allowed” signs for treat jars and water bowls. Whether you’re in the Highlands or the Home Counties, there’s a warm fire and a friendly bark waiting somewhere nearby.
So grab the lead, lace up your boots and head for one of these brilliant pubs for dogs (and their well-behaved humans). From seaside stops to countryside inns, they prove Britain really does know how to do dog-friendly right.
The Foresters Arms, Frogham, New Forest
Address: Abbots Well Road, Fordingbridge, SP6 2JA
Hidden among ponies and oak trees, The Foresters Arms is where every dog is a VIP (Very Important Pooch). Officially crowned Britain’s most dog-friendly pub, it’s got bowls, blankets, biscuits and a beer garden that’s practically a dog park.
Inside, fires crackle and the locals chat like they’ve known you for years. After a muddy wander in the New Forest, there’s nothing better than a pint in hand and a happily snoring hound at your feet.
The Brandling Villa, South Gosforth, Newcastle
Address: Haddricks Mill Road, South Gosforth, NE3 1QL
If dogs could choose pubs, they’d choose The Brandling Villa. This is one of the best dog-friendly pubs Newcastle has to offer, with a full-on dog menu – sausages, gravy, the works.
It’s loud, lively and gloriously unpretentious, with proper beer and hearty food. Regulars come for the banter and stay because their dogs refuse to leave. Expect chaos, charm and the occasional bark mid-pint. Nobody minds – that’s just the Villa.
King’s Head Inn, Llangennith, Gower Peninsula, Wales
Address: Llangennith, Swansea, SA3 1HX
Half surf shack, half old coaching inn, the King’s Head is the sort of place that smells faintly of sea air and Sunday roasts.
Dogs are treated like family – water bowls appear as if by magic and there’s dog ice cream for the truly spoiled. After a windswept walk on Rhossili Bay, you’ll find the bar packed with sandy paws and happy faces. A pint, a wagging tail and a view of the dunes – life sorted.
The Sheep Heid Inn, Duddingston, Edinburgh
Address: 43–45 The Causeway, EH15 3QA
Dating back to 1360, The Sheep Heid has hosted everyone from monarchs to muddy Labradors. There’s history in every creaky floorboard, but the welcome is pure modern-day warmth.
Water bowls are dotted around, biscuits flow freely, and the beer garden is a shady haven after an Arthur’s Seat climb. It’s not posh, just perfectly Scottish – friendly, a bit eccentric and always better with a dog by your side.
The Cliff, Canford Cliffs, Poole
Address: 6 Ravine Road, Poole, BH13 7HX
Sunshine, sea breeze and a steady supply of dog treats – The Cliff nails coastal pub life. Dogs pad happily between tables while their owners tuck into fish and chips with ocean views.
Staff are generous with fusses, and there’s enough space on the terrace for every wagging tail in Dorset. Come for the crab sandwiches, stay because your dog refuses to leave. Bring a towel – sand is non-negotiable.
The Greyhound Inn, Sutton Stop, Coventry
Address: Sutton Stop, Coventry, CV6 6DF
Right by the canal, The Greyhound is a Midlands classic that treats dogs like regulars. Expect bowls of water, biscuits behind the bar and friendly chatter with the boat crowd outside.
It’s a bit rough around the edges – in the best way – and all the better for it. The food’s solid, the beer’s proper, and your dog will get more attention than you do. The clue’s in the name, really.
The White Hart, Bishopstone, Wiltshire
Address: Butt Lane, Bishopstone, Salisbury, SP5 4AA
If pubs could wag their tails, The White Hart would. It’s a thatched country gem with a big garden and a relaxed attitude to muddy paws. Dogs are fussed over, fed treats and often photographed for the pub’s social feed.
You’ll find locals nursing pints while their dogs snooze in the sun, and walkers dropping by after long rambles through the Downs. Simple, honest and happy – just how a village pub should be.
The Fisherman’s Arms, Plymouth, Devon
Address: 31 Lambhay Street, Plymouth, PL1 2NN
Down a cobbled backstreet near the Barbican, The Fisherman’s Arms feels like a secret. Inside, it’s all low beams, crackling fires and dogs on their best behaviour (most of the time). Mr Jones, the resident Miniature Schnauzer, makes sure of it!
There’s a dog menu, free biscuits and staff who know your spaniel’s name by your second visit. It’s a small pub with a big heart – the kind of place where strangers end up swapping stories over the sound of snoring terriers.
The Hop Pole, Bath, Somerset
Address: 7 Upper Bristol Road, Bath, BA1 3AR
The Hop Pole is a Bath classic – a little bit refined, a little bit scruffy and a lot dog-friendly. Staff are quick with water bowls and slower with judgement about muddy paws.
The garden’s leafy and the fires are roaring in winter, making it a year-round winner. Whether you’re sipping an ale or sharing roast potatoes, your dog will be in treat heaven. Polished enough for Bath, but never too polished for dogs.
The Barnt Green Inn, Rednal, Birmingham
Address: 22 Kendal End Road, Rednal, B45 8PZ
Smart enough for a date night, relaxed enough for a dog walk – The Barnt Green Inn strikes a lovely balance. There’s a big terrace, friendly staff and the sort of food that makes you linger for dessert.
Dogs get a proper welcome, with biscuits from the bar and room to stretch out. It’s not trying too hard – it just gets everything right. Classy without the snobbery, just the way we like it.
The Roundhay Fox, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Address: Princes Avenue, Roundhay, Leeds, LS8 2EP
You’ll struggle to find a dog that doesn’t wag at the sight of The Roundhay Fox. Just across from the park, it’s prime territory for walkies followed by pints. Dogs get water bowls and fusses galore, while owners tackle Yorkshire-sized plates of comfort food.
Inside, it’s cosy without being fussy – think Sunday papers, muddy boots and dozing dogs. It’s exactly what you want from a neighbourhood pub: friendly, familiar and full of fur.
The Crown Inn, Coniston, Cumbria
Address: Tilberthwaite Avenue, Coniston, LA21 8ED
One of the best pubs in Coniston for dogs, The Crown Inn is pure Lakeland charm – all slate floors, steaming mugs, and pups drying off by the fire after a romp round the fells. Staff treat four-legged guests like royalty, handing out biscuits and bowls with cheerful efficiency.
The atmosphere is laid-back, the beer’s local, and the scenery outside the window isn’t too shabby either. It’s the sort of pub where everyone talks to your dog first – and nobody minds a bit of mud.
All of this got you in the mood for a pint with your pup, ideally visiting one of these fantastic establishments? How about booking our last-minute dog friendly cottages and treating yourself to a weekend away with plenty of pub time included?
Meet the author
Ian LewisIan's worked in travel for over 15 years and has written about destinations across the whole of the UK (and beyond). He loves all kinds of getaways with every member of the family on two legs or four, seeking out the more unique and interesting properties wherever he can.
