The Rose Deal, Kent

Just south of Deal looms the SouthForelands Heritage Coast, a chunk of English headland with white cliffs akin to those of neighbouring Dover. The area attracts countless birdwatchers, dog walkers and history lovers every year for the most bracing of strolls, often whipped by the winds of the Channel. Then, as you head north to Deal, you find its long stretch of shingle beach, complete with 1950s pier and promenade. Any time of the year (even when faced with those rousing sea breezes) is a good time to use your dog as an excuse to take a walk in this classic British seaside town. Either as a locals’ boozer or a refined boutique hotel (as it is now), The Rose has been part of the fabric of Deal for more than 200 years, and its friendly nature is extended to dogs, too. From the outside it has the look of a well-kept pub. However, push open the black-painted door and it’s immediately obvious that the designers have done a fine job of giving the place a modern, contemporary and colourful makeover without losing too much of the cosy nostalgia one expects from a British seaside escape. On the food front, it’s comparable to fellow Kent resident, the illustrious The Sportsman at Seasalter – both blend a simplicity of style with full-flavoured, quality produce. The Rose’s fish pies are generously packed, its roasts plentiful and few dishes sound (or taste) as pleasing as smoked haddock with foraged samphire, soft-boiled egg and pangrattato. Deal is well located for a day trip from London, but if you’re coming from further afield, or want a longer holiday, it also has dog-friendly rooms and the kitchen has been known to cook up some extra bacon for any canine guests.

The Wellington Arms Baughurst, Hampshire

When the smell of pork sausages sizzling in a pan starts to waft to your room causing your pooch’s ears to prick up, there’s no need to dampen their spirits. The Wellington Arms is so dog-friendly that its room rates include breakfast for both you and your canine companion, including a ‘doggy sausage’ made from the same prime pork as yours. Of the four rooms, two welcome dogs, and your pup is free to be your dinner date. Before you get to the meal, though, check out the provenance of its ingredients by rambling through the lush fields behind the property, which are home to the hotel’s 26 Jacob sheep, chickens (fox dependent) and a kitchen garden that grows many of the herbs, vegetables and salads that will end up on your plate. Everything from sloe gins and sourdoughs to chutneys and even teapot cosies are made in-house (the latter by one of the owners’ mums), and the daily-changing menu reflects the home-grown, seasonal ethos. Mains might include a roasted rack of Jacob lamb with carrots, parsnips, butternut squash and mint sauce or a pot pie of roe deer and root vegetables with red wine topped with a flaky pastry lid. Here, bar the wine, it’s a case of food metres, not miles. More importantly, while you enjoy their hearty plates, your doggo will no doubt be in the process of demolishing one of the Lily’s Kitchen chews the staff always keep on hand.

The Kingham Plough Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire

There isn’t a dog out there that wouldn’t love burning off that seemingly boundless energy in the Oxfordshire countryside. For owners, the honey-coloured thatched cottages, quaint antique shops, tea houses and endless quality places for lunch and dinner make it the ideal weekend retreat. Kingham, in the Evenlode Valley, is where you tell people to go if they want a microcosm of everything that’s great about a Cotswolds getaway – surrounded by superlative walks, with a proper village green flanked by thatched stone cottages, some of which date back to the 17th century. And then there’s the Kingham Plough, a gastro-pub made famous for its fine food by the former Great British Menu winner Emily Watkins, and that serves the same award-winning menu across all areas of its cosy interior, including those welcoming dogs. Indeed, many of its regulars are of the four-legged variety. Even though Watkins no longer mans the stove, standards have remained consistently high. While the presentation throughout is exceptional, The Kingham Plough isn’t just about tweezer-precision plating up. Expect everything from proper hikers’ fuel – a Ploughman’s with baked ham, aged Cheddar, pork pie, chutney and sourdough – to fare more suited to those settling in for the night with their best friend at their feet, such as Old Spot pork belly with black pudding. After that, should you wish to lie down, two of the six on-site rooms are also dog-friendly, meaning you won’t have to go too far in order to catch a good night’s sleep.

The Grove Narberth, Pembrokeshire

If, like you, your dog is a discerning gourmet traveller, then The Grove of Narberth in Pembrokeshire could be the ideal destination. Firstly, even before you step beyond the grounds of this luxury 17th-century country house estate – which has both the Pembrokeshire coast with its golden beaches and the rugged Preseli Hills on its doorstep – you have 11ha of gardens (including kitchen, fruit and walled varieties), woodlands, meadows and orchards to explore, plus bee hives, ponds and streams to visit. Once retreating to The Grove itself, expect all the trappings of a modern luxury culinary experience: afternoon teas in the lounge, lunches on the terrace, fine dining (from Douglas Balish, previously of Whatley Manor, Bohemia and Sydney’s famed Quay) and, most important of all, a ‘Doggy Dining Menu’ for the pickier pooch. What you eat is carefully considered, too, with more than 70 vegetables, fruits and herbs grown in the grounds. These form the backbone of menus, both in the (people-only) fine diner – showcased in dishes such as venison served with blueberries, beetroot and pumpkin – and in the Artisan Rooms, where, thanks to a relaxed ambience, dogs are welcome, too. Here, home-grown produce is a delicious accompaniment to rump of Welsh lamb or in a chutney dolloped atop cured local meats. One thing you can be assured of, neither dog nor owner will go hungry here.

The Good Egg Stoke Newington, London

North Londoners with dogs in tow are often to be found making for ‘Stokey’ on a sunny Sunday, with plenty in it
for both person and pooch. The main drawcards are an artisan, villagey vibe and the brilliant, 22ha Clissold Park, which has had more than £9m pumped into it, restoring the far-ranging lakes, ponds and historic Clissold House. With heads cleared and leg muscles stretched, head into the maze of independent shops and restaurants that have made Stoke Newington one of London’s coolest and most sought-after areas. You can pretty much eat the world in a single day in this colourful London borough, and The Good Egg is our go-to for punchy, filling, Middle Eastern flavours from brunch through to supper. Dogs don’t have to wait on the sidelines and watch either; the pitter-patter of claws on wooden floorboards is common here. Shakshuka, babka French toast (with caramelised halva, labneh and poached pears) and a memorable Montreal Reuben pitta (packed with smoked short-rib pastrami, grilled with smoked Cheddar, and an apple and dill kraut topped with crispy onions) are among the crowd-pleasing menu options that have made this an essential stop for hungry locals in the know. The dinner menu, too, is packed with so many flavourful plates – from The Good Egg’s own house-smoked mackerel to a stand-out goat shawarma, which can be shared or not depending on your appetite – that you’ll want to set aside plenty of time to linger and make the most of it.

Prince Hall Yelverton, Devon

The Dartmoor National Park is a nirvana for both dogs and their owners, with jaunts across the wild Devon countryside the perfect way to relieve the stresses and strains of everyday life. When you’re done exploring the tors, or in need of a haven from the sometimes biting moorland winds, you can follow a path trodden since the 1400s. Prince Hall – or Prynse Hall, as it was once known – has had a home on it since 1443, with the latest incarnation being built in the late 1700s. With a farm for a neighbour and the national park its garden, it’s a true country idyll – with roaring fires to warm cold toes and paws, hearty Devon cream teas with crumbly scones, and a menu that brings out the best in the county’s produce. Expect the likes of Brixham fish, from just down the road, Devon beef and the best game from the moors, followed by generous slabs of farmhouse cheeses served with chunky pickles. From the moment you step inside and spot the dog towel for muddy fur, Prince Hall feels welcoming. If staying over, two dogs can share your room for no extra charge (including Bob & Lush dog treats), there are always dog snacks on hand in the inviting bar, and the reception has plenty of dog-friendly walking route suggestions to keep you busy.

Six more of the best in show

The Harwood Arms, London

Given the outdoor-loving nature of co-owners Brett Graham (of two-Michelin- starred The Ledbury) and Mike Robinson (master of all things game), it’s of little surprise that this gourmet Michelin-starred pub institution in Fulham welcomes dogs. If you’re in on a Sunday, consider a starter of field mushroom soup with game sausage roll, followed by braised jowl of Tamworth pork with carrot, black pudding and pale ale; Cornish monkfish with brassicas and seaweed; or cod with colcannon, crayfish and bacon. Three courses from £49pp. harwoodarms.com

Le Gavroche, London

It’s not advertised widely, but dogs of a more diminutive size are welcome at Michele Roux Jr’s restaurant – more due to the compact nature of the space than anything against Great Danes or the like. Indulge in delicacies such as cheese soufflé and grilled scallops. Three courses from £69pp. le-gavroche.co.uk

The Red Lion at Stodmarsh, Kent

The Stodmarsh Nature Reserve, a protected area of wetland and marshes close to Canterbury, is a favourite with birdwatchers, but the local pub, The Red Lion is worth a visit alone – big plates, tastefully decked-out rooms, good beer and dog-friendly, too. Three courses from £30pp. theredlionstodmarsh.co.uk

Ship at Dunwich, Suffolk

On the stunning Suffolk heritage coast, the Ship serves up big, warming dishes, and is seriously dog-friendly – all 16 rooms welcome your four-legged friend, and there’s even an overnight package that includes a dog’s breakfast, cosy blanket and treats. Three courses from £25pp. shipatdunwich.co.uk

The Coach and Horses, Sussex

A Stone's throw from Ashdown Forest, The Coach and Horses is a haven for walkers, and its menu of pub classic centred around quality local produce mades it an ideal lunchtime stop. Popular on Sundays is the sirloin of beef with roast potatoes, cauliflower purée, red cabbage, buttered greens and Yorkshire pudding. Dog-friendly areas throughout. Three courses from £27pp. coachandhorses.co

Pizarro Restaurant, London

There's no limit on size, all dogs are welcome at this Bermondsey-based Spanish stalwart, headed up by legendary chef José Pizarro. Feast on th elks of Castilian leg of suckling lamb with courgette salad, potato aïoli and sautéed broccoli or a 200g Rubia Galega beef fillet served with fried potatoes, crispy kale and pipirrana. Three courses from £25pp. josepizarro.com

This article was taken from the April 2020 issue of Food and Travel.

To subscribe today, click here.