All travellers understand that trips are much more about the things we experience in our time away than the destinations we visit. More often than not, that means sharing those experiences with family and friends to create short breaks and holidays that will live long in the memory. However, our pets have become such a vital part of our groups in recent times that it always pays to research where our four-legged friends will be just as well accommodated as we are.
Country hotels in the UK offer the perfect way to explore much of the outstanding and stirring natural landscapes that the country has to offer. The very best of these accommodations recognise that the surrounding areas are built to enjoy with dogs on long, lazy walks or challenging hikes and have tailored their facilities in response to this. With so many visitors drawn to these green and pleasant lands, dog-friendly hotels are becoming ever more popular and below we look at some of the very best.
Cliveden House, Berkshire
The 376 acres of spectacular National Trust Gardens of Cliveden House in Berkshire have everything required to make it a standout choice for families with canine companions in tow. Just 40 40-minute drive from Central London and with simple transport links to Heathrow airport, this wonderful country house hotel has been a favourite of Dukes, Earls and Viscounts for almost 400 years. The welcome that dogs receive is befitting a regal setting where they will be treated like royalty with personalised bowls, plush bedding and customised food to keep them satisfied throughout the stay. Dogs are prohibited from formal dining spaces, but they are more than welcome on the terrace and in certain lounges while they remain by your side at all times. It’s always worth taking advantage of the Concierge service at Cliveden House, as they can recommend woodland trails and riverside walks for a day’s hike, and point you in the right direction for dog-friendly pubs and cafes along your route.
The Fife Arms, Braemar, Scotland
The Scottish Highlands are one of the most arresting and dramatic locations for walking routes anywhere in the world. It is this connection to nature and the unaltered world that can take your breath away, particularly in the bracing weather of early spring and late summer. The Fife Arms in Braemar began its life as a Victorian coaching inn and has now been transformed by owners Iwan and Manuela Wirth into an incredible place to stay with over 14,000 works of art on the walls, including originals by Picasso, Lucian Freud and Bruegel. The welcome pack that your dogs can expect here sets the tone for how much the Fife Arms appreciates their patronage – as much as they do their two-legged owners – with a soft bed, treats, toys and even personal tartan blankets for the canines. With limitless opportunities for hill hikes, woodland walks and riverside rambles, this is a complete destination for man and his best friend. The hotel staff will provide a packed lunch or a picnic to enjoy before departing – all of which are made possible inside the UK’s largest national park, the Cairngorms. A real standout choice.
Bovey Castle, Devon
Dartmoor National Park is the home of Bovey Castle, with 60 bedrooms and 22 luxury lodges set within a sprawling 275-acre estate, serving as another fantastic example of how attractive the UK countryside is. There is very much an outdoor pursuit energy to Bovey Castle with archery, fly-fishing and falconry displays featured on all visitors’ itineraries, with the wild beauty of the moors as a backdrop. For dogs, this is an incredible playground of multiple terrains and opportunities to explore, with on and off-lead trails available. It is advisable to consult with the Bovey Castle staff to ensure compliance with the local laws on dog control, as there will undoubtedly be many other animals on the routes. A welcome pack for your guest pet includes the bedding, treats and special bowl that they can use throughout the stay, as well as options within the estate to dine together. Smith’s Brasserie is a particular favourite with its roaring fires and tavern feel, representing a glorious way to end a walk for all creatures great and small.
The Montagu Arms, Hampshire
The historic village of Beaulieu in the heart of the tranquil New Forest Park is the setting for The Montagu Arms, a boutique hotel that can trace its roots back to the 17th Century. Miles and miles of ancient woodland and heathlands have long been home to free-roaming ponies and deer amongst the distinct ecosystem of UK wildlife. The creature comforts on show for dog guests include luxury versions of the essentials – bedding and bowls – but perhaps most importantly, also involves a biscuit on arrival too. The hotel arranges a variety of dog-friendly excursions for your party if required, but with so much to explore around here, you may want to dive straight in and get walking on your own. There are specially allocated drying rooms for muddy paws, great for post-adventure pampering before taking a meal at Monty’s Inn, where dogs are welcomed with open arms. However, if you are looking for a dog-free evening, then The Terrace restaurant offers a Michelin-starred menu to enjoy while your dog snoozes in the room after another long day.
One thing that all of these suggestions have in common is their overall attitude to dogs and their owners, where both are not only catered for, but celebrated with tailored experiences and packages that make the most of the incredible landscapes and locations across the UK's countryside.
