Dorset is a wonderful holiday destination if you have a dog. With so much for them to do, from playing on the sandy beaches to exploring the rolling countryside, there’s no reason to leave your canine companion at home. Dorset has some of the best pubs in the country too, and since many of them are pet-friendly, your dog will be more than welcome to join you. There’s nothing better than heading to a warm and cosy pub after you’ve finished a long walk with your four-legged friend. You can bring your dog along when it’s time to join some world-class food, drink and entertainment. Keep reading to find out more about the best pet-friendly pubs in Dorset.
Dorset has a rich tradition of eating and drinking. Therefore, you won’t be surprised to hear that the region has an impressive selection of pubs for you to discover. Dorset is bursting with traditional inns and family-friendly taverns where you can sample the best of the region’s produce. Many of these pubs are pet-friendly, which means they allow dogs to enter their premises. Some people think that in the UK, dogs aren’t legally allowed in places where food is served. However, this incorrect, and it’s completely up to the owners to decide whether to let them in.
The good news for people with pets is that many pub owners in Dorset are happy to let animals into their establishments. Whilst there are several pubs that declare themselves as pet-friendly, the best are those that take steps to make their canine patrons as welcome as possible. As well as making it clear that dogs are allowed by putting up clear signage, they also make sure water bowls are available to provide dogs with a drink of clean water. The very best dog-friendly places to eat and drink and Dorset go one step further, offering treats behind the bar or providing a quiet area for your dog away from the main noise of the pub. There are hundreds of dog-friendly places to eat and drink in Dorset. Read on to find out which ones to visit.
A traditional pub with good, homecooked food, the Royal Standard is a popular destination for holidaymakers in Dorset. This 400-year-old pub is located on the world-famous Jurassic coast, in Lyme Regis in West Dorset. The Royal Standard is dog-friendly, making it a great place to grab a delicious lunch after your pooch has tired themselves out on the sandy beach nearby. Dogs are allowed inside if they’re on a lead, and they can also access the large beer garden which leads onto the beach.
The Acorn Inn is situated in the heart of the Dorset countryside in the quaint village of Evershot. An award-winning 16th-century pub, it was featured in ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ by Thomas Hardy. With an open fireplace and dog biscuits behind the bar, this historic coaching inn is the perfect pub in which to relax with your pooch after a long walk. Your furry companion will be more than welcome here.
Lyme Regis Cobb
Another of the best dog-friendly places to eat and drink in Dorset is the Cobb Arms in Lyme Regis. Overlooking the town’s historic Cobb, this traditional pub provides a warm welcome to dogs of all sizes. Why not head to this cosy pitstop after a bracing coastal walk with your pooch? Enjoy a pint of Palmers fine ale as you watch the world go by with your furry friend at your side.
This family-run, family-friendly village pub is situated in Milborne in the heart of Dorset. The Royal Oak is particularly popular with dog walkers, with pooches of all sizes welcome here. This pub has a relaxed vibe, making it ideal for kids who can enjoy having fun out the outdoor play equipment and eating from the kid’s menu.
Situated in the Piddle Valley, bordered by rolling hills and pretty woodland lies Puddletown, one of Dorset’s most beautiful villages. Here you’ll find the Blue Vinny, a traditional pub offering a warm and friendly welcome and a varied selection of real ales, wines, and spirits, as well as an impressive food menu showing the best local produce. The Blue Vinny is very dog-friendly and you can expect your furry friend to be made a fuss of on your arrival!
Ye Olde George Inn is a 15th-century coaching inn located in some of the region’s most beautiful countryside. Small and cosy, the pub is the ideal place to stop off for a pint after a delightful stroll along the South Downs Way with your furry companion. Relax by the fireplace with your dog or make the most of the weather by heading out to the patio area. Your dog can enjoy a well-earned nap whilst you enjoy the sunshine.
The Fisherman’s Haunt is a popular choice for pet-friendly holidays in Dorset. Situated on Salisbury Road in the quayside town of Christchurch, this pub and hotel offers fantastic views across the Avon Meadow and is also close to the south coast seaside. Accommodation is comfortable and well-furnished, with dogs of any size welcome for a small fee. Fresh water and doggy treats are always available behind the bar.
Dating back to the 1500s, the Black Dog Pub is one of the oldest pubs in the town of Weymouth. Situated on St Mary Street, it’s just a stone’s throw away from the main beach. This makes it the perfect pub in which to relax with your dog after a long walk on the golden sands. Enjoy locally sourced food and real ale from local brewers. There are water bowls outside and treats behind the bar for hungry dogs.
The White Horse at Osmington
The Smugglers Inn, Osmington Mills
Located on the cliff tops outside of the village of Osmington, The Smugglers Inn is a traditional pub with bags of character. The pub offers stunning views of the Isle of Portland, and back in the 17th century was actually one of the key landing places for smuggled goods by Pierre Latour. This quaint and cosy pub is very dog-friendly, with roaring log fires for them to warm up next to in the winter and a pretty garden for those hot summer days.
The Ship Inn is Weymouth’s largest (and arguably best) dog-friendly pub. The whole of the ground floor is dedicated to dogs and their owners, showing just how valued they are at this pub. Doggie ice cream is available as well as bowls of fresh water. Humans are just as well catered for thanks to an impressive menu that combines classic dishes with more contemporary flavours. Vegan and gluten-free options are available too.
If it’s a good old-fashioned pub you’re seeking, look no further than the Black Swan Inn in the pretty coastal town of Swanage. The pub has two bars serving a carefully selected range of ales, wines, and spirits as well as delicious food. Fill your tummies with a hearty meal before heading out for a walk on the beach or to explore the stunning Purbeck countryside. That’s if you and your pooch can bear to tear yourselves away from the cosy log fires or pretty secluded gardens of course!
The Castle Inn is a traditional Dorset pub with a history dating all the way back to the 16th Century. The pub is located near Lulworth Cove – a pretty pebble beach which is welcome to dogs all year round. You can expect a steep walk up to the pub, however, it’s well worth it! Under its pub’s thatched roof is a charming bar serving up an impressive selection of local food and drink. The large paved courtyard and serene garden is ideal for dogs to relax and unwind after their walk.
The Greyhound Inn, Corfe Castle
Nestled beneath the ruins of the historic Corfe Castle, the Greyhound Inn is one of the best pet-friendly places to eat and drink in Dorset. Welcoming dogs of all sizes, the pub is a great place to eat, drink, and be merry after exploring the village or the beautiful Purbeck countryside surrounding it. The Greyhound Inn serves up a great selection of food and drinks to suit all tastes, from pizzas and sharing platters to cask ales and cocktails.
The Inn at Cranborne is a stylish yet cosy country inn situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Built back in the 16th century, the pub is found at the heart of the lovely village of Cranborne in East Dorset. Unlike many other pubs, the Inn at Cranborne welcomes dogs throughout the pub. This means you can relax in the knowledge that you’re not restricted to where you can go. There’s always fresh water available and biscuits behind the bar too, providing your dog with welcome sustenance after burning off all those calories on their walk. As if that wasn’t enough, the Inn also has four dog-friendly rooms, with canine guests receiving a treat bag and even a tasty sausage for breakfast in the morning!
The Angel is situated on the edge of the stunning countryside just outside Bournemouth and nearby to the pretty market town of Wimborne. A traditional country pub, it has been at the heart of the local community since the 1700s when it can run by monks and nuns for tired travellers. Roaring log fires and a beautiful garden make it the ideal place to stop off after a long walk with your dog. Doggy ice cream is available for your furry friend too! Be careful though, there are strong rumours that this particular pub is haunted!
The Stocks Inn is a family-run pub located in Wimborne in East Dorset. Set in a lovely rural location, there’s an abundance of dog walking opportunities nearby. Plus, with a dog-friendly area of the pub for dining, you can rest assured that your pooch will be more than welcome here. Your dog can relax and enjoy all the attention whilst you tuck into a hearty meal cooked with only the freshest ingredients sourced from local farmers.
There are a surprising number of pet-friendly pubs in Dorset, with more landlords choosing to welcome dogs into their establishments. Heading to a dog-friendly pub means you don’t need to leave your pooch in your accommodation, or even worse – miss out on going altogether. You can take your dog along with you to enjoy some of Dorset’s famous food, drink, and warm hospitality. There’s a fantastic selection of pubs across the region which welcome man’s best friend and provide them with a happy and safe environment to hang out in. Thanks to Dorset’s dog-friendly pubs, you can really make the most out of your holiday with your canine companion.
Once you’ve explored Dorset’s stunning countryside and splashed about in the sea with your four-legged friend, your appetite will be begging you to head to a local pub. Fortunately, with so many dog-friendly places to eat and drink across the region, you’ll be well catered for. Whether you’re seeking a quiet pint with your dog by your side or you want to take the whole family out for dinner, you won’t have to look too hard for the perfect pub. These pet-friendly pubs in Dorset are ideal for both dogs and their owners!
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