Pet friendly
Warm Sundays are meant for long walks with your dog followed by a hearty pub lunch. Why not make a minibreak of it, explore somewhere new and stay overnight at one of these inns.
EAST SUSSEX
The Bell is set in the hilltop village of Iden, just five minutes’ drive from Rye and well-positioned to enjoy many walks in the area as it’s surrounded by orchards and fields. Also Camber Sands is a short car journey and is a fabulous dog-friendly sandy beach. The Bell’s two rooms are on the ground floor of a converted stable block. Dogs can stay for free in these bedrooms with king-sized beds.
The pub also has designated tables (next to the log burner) for diners who bring pooches with them. And all doggies get a sausage for breakfast. B&B per room per night costs from £69, Monday to Thursday; £99, Friday to Saturday.
01797-280242, www.thebelliden.co.uk
HAMPSHIRE
Ye Olde George in East Meon is a 15th-century coaching inn. The River Meon runs alongside, plus there are stunning walks along the South Downs Way. Standard rooms are dog-friendly and there is no charge for pooches. Bed and breakfast costs from £90 per room per night.
01730-823481, www.yeoldegeorgeinn.net
KENT
The Woolpack Inn, Chilham, sits on the North Downs Way. Intrepid walkers can tackle the longer route, while others enjoy the leisurely circular walk around this chocolatebox village. The inn, said to be haunted by friendly ghost the Grey Lady, has 14 rooms, including two four-poster rooms, and superb views. Dogs are welcome in the rooms and bar area. Book ahead, so a room with garden access is available. From £55, excluding breakfast. Dogs free.
01227-730351, www.woolpackinnchilham.co.uk
WEST SUSSEX
Dogs are welcome at The Cat Inn in West Hoathly, a hilltop village sitting on a spur of the Sussex Weald, a haven for walkers. The Cat has two of its four rooms dedicated to canine guests but please book ahead. Dogs are welcome in the bar. B&B from £110 to £150 per room per night.
01342-810369, www.catinn.co.uk
SCOTLAND
The Benleva Hotel, Loch Ness, is within walking distance of the water and only half a mile from the centre of Drumnadrochit village. It’s also set in an acre of grounds, and welcomes well-behaved doggies. Rooms from £35 per person per night.
01456-450080, www.benleva.co.uk or www.visitscotland.com
WALES
The Afod Duad Inn, Cwmduad, Carmarthenshire, is in the heart of the beautiful Teifi Valley, with great walks and beaches nearby. The inn has four rooms and there’s a separate cottage available, too. Bed and breakfast from £46 per room per night.
01267-281357, www.afonduad.co.uk or www.discovercarmarthenshire.com
For more pubs with rooms: www.greatcountrypubs.com
You can email Wendy Gomersall at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
Ramblers Countrywide Holidays offers breaks for owners and well-behaved dogs. For example, three, four and seven-night North Yorkshire Coast and Moors trips are available, based at Cober Hill, near Scarborough. Coastal walking along Robin Hood’s Bay and travel by steam train to Goathland is included. Dates from 21 August, from £229 for three nights.
01707-386800, www.ramblerscountrywide.co.uk
Course you can
Fascinating day courses at Farncombe Estate, Broadway, Worcestershire, this year include bee-keeping – 18 May, £75. You will actually get to open a hive and handle bees – bee suits provided, along with lunch. A vast range of residential courses is also available, from art and music to cake decorating.
0333-456 8580, www.farncombecourses.co.uk
Fishing fun
The Old Swan & Minster Mill’s two-day Cast A Line experience for beginners or experienced fishermen, includes a chance to fish the River Windrush. Also includes a three-course Fish Friday dinner, two rods (on consecutive days), two nights in a River Room, featuring a private outdoor terrace, with views directly on to the river, and breakfast. From £495, available until 31 October.
01993-774441, www.oldswanandminstermill.com
EAST SUSSEX
The Bell is set in the hilltop village of Iden, just five minutes’ drive from Rye and well-positioned to enjoy many walks in the area as it’s surrounded by orchards and fields. Also Camber Sands is a short car journey and is a fabulous dog-friendly sandy beach. The Bell’s two rooms are on the ground floor of a converted stable block. Dogs can stay for free in these bedrooms with king-sized beds.
The pub also has designated tables (next to the log burner) for diners who bring pooches with them. And all doggies get a sausage for breakfast. B&B per room per night costs from £69, Monday to Thursday; £99, Friday to Saturday.
01797-280242, www.thebelliden.co.uk
HAMPSHIRE
Ye Olde George in East Meon is a 15th-century coaching inn. The River Meon runs alongside, plus there are stunning walks along the South Downs Way. Standard rooms are dog-friendly and there is no charge for pooches. Bed and breakfast costs from £90 per room per night.
01730-823481, www.yeoldegeorgeinn.net
KENT
The Woolpack Inn, Chilham, sits on the North Downs Way. Intrepid walkers can tackle the longer route, while others enjoy the leisurely circular walk around this chocolatebox village. The inn, said to be haunted by friendly ghost the Grey Lady, has 14 rooms, including two four-poster rooms, and superb views. Dogs are welcome in the rooms and bar area. Book ahead, so a room with garden access is available. From £55, excluding breakfast. Dogs free.
01227-730351, www.woolpackinnchilham.co.uk
WEST SUSSEX
Dogs are welcome at The Cat Inn in West Hoathly, a hilltop village sitting on a spur of the Sussex Weald, a haven for walkers. The Cat has two of its four rooms dedicated to canine guests but please book ahead. Dogs are welcome in the bar. B&B from £110 to £150 per room per night.
01342-810369, www.catinn.co.uk
SCOTLAND
The Benleva Hotel, Loch Ness, is within walking distance of the water and only half a mile from the centre of Drumnadrochit village. It’s also set in an acre of grounds, and welcomes well-behaved doggies. Rooms from £35 per person per night.
01456-450080, www.benleva.co.uk or www.visitscotland.com
WALES
The Afod Duad Inn, Cwmduad, Carmarthenshire, is in the heart of the beautiful Teifi Valley, with great walks and beaches nearby. The inn has four rooms and there’s a separate cottage available, too. Bed and breakfast from £46 per room per night.
01267-281357, www.afonduad.co.uk or www.discovercarmarthenshire.com
For more pubs with rooms: www.greatcountrypubs.com
You can email Wendy Gomersall at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
In other news...
Stroll onRamblers Countrywide Holidays offers breaks for owners and well-behaved dogs. For example, three, four and seven-night North Yorkshire Coast and Moors trips are available, based at Cober Hill, near Scarborough. Coastal walking along Robin Hood’s Bay and travel by steam train to Goathland is included. Dates from 21 August, from £229 for three nights.
01707-386800, www.ramblerscountrywide.co.uk
Course you can
Fascinating day courses at Farncombe Estate, Broadway, Worcestershire, this year include bee-keeping – 18 May, £75. You will actually get to open a hive and handle bees – bee suits provided, along with lunch. A vast range of residential courses is also available, from art and music to cake decorating.
0333-456 8580, www.farncombecourses.co.uk
Fishing fun
The Old Swan & Minster Mill’s two-day Cast A Line experience for beginners or experienced fishermen, includes a chance to fish the River Windrush. Also includes a three-course Fish Friday dinner, two rods (on consecutive days), two nights in a River Room, featuring a private outdoor terrace, with views directly on to the river, and breakfast. From £495, available until 31 October.
01993-774441, www.oldswanandminstermill.com