TEN fabfinds forFido
WALKS ON THE WILD SIDE
WITH its own five acres, and 368 square miles of Dartmoor’s valleys and tors on the doorstep, Prince Hall, Yelverton in Devon, is perfect for energetic hounds. Doggie welcome packs include organic fresh meat, which can be eaten in one of nine comfortable rooms overlooking the West Dart river. Guides are available for bird watching and wildlife walks. The countryside here inspired Conan Doyle to write The Hound of The Baskervilles.
DETAILS: B&B (same for all) doubles from £120 (princehall.co.uk, 01822 890403). No charge for up to two dogs.
HOME FROM HOME
GoLDEN retriever Roxy is meet-andgreeter at award-winning Trigony House Hotel and Garden Spa in Thornhill, Dumfries, set in four acres of woods and gardens. Enjoy homemade snacks (both of you), open fires and a walking guide before you drool over local produce in menus that include wheat-free and vegan options. The dining room’s off limits (one guest dressed their dog in a tuxedo for dinner at the bar instead). There’s reiki energy therapy for dogs, to help physical or emotional problems, falconry and fishing.
DETAILS: Doubles from £125 b&b (trigonyhotel.co.uk, 01848 331211). Dogs £9.50 a night.
PAMPER & PAWSECCO
AFTER walking along the Ribble Valley back to The Lawrence Hotel in Padiham, Lancashire, you and Fido can expect in- room puppicures, pedicures and pawsecco in matching bathrobes before you head for dinner at The Courtyard Room restaurant. Resident sprocker spaniel Hetti and dog monitors in bedrooms will keep your hound happy meanwhile. The National Trust’s Gawthorpe Hall is nearby.
DETAILS: Doubles from £75 b&b (thelawrencehotel.co.uk, 07366 983956). Dogs £5 a night.
WEDDING BELLES
ASIDE from romantic rooms, glorious grounds and nearby beaches, Northumberland’s 18th- century Newton Hall specialises in weddings with dogs; not just a puppy as ring bearer, they’ll host your pet’s own nuptials. Humans can enjoy broomstick training at Alnwick Castle (aka Hogwarts), or bird watching on the Farne islands.
DETAILS: Doubles from £130 b&b (newton-hall.com, 01665 576239). Dogs £15 a night.
HAUTE CUISINE
THE Nare hotel overlooking Cornwall’s Carne beach on the Roseland Peninsula offers a la carte for all guests, including dogs.
Explore the South West Coastal path, Veryan village and its thatched round houses or take a spin in a hired Morgan (complete with picnic hamper).
DETAILS: Doubles from £222 b&b (narehotel.co.uk, 01872 501111). Dogs from £16 a night, free in kennels.
SCILLIES’ SOLITUDE
TINY Bryher (population 80) with its white sandy beaches has just one hotel, Hell Bay. So dog friendly, it once had the same number of dogs as humans staying, and guests can exercise the owner’s labrador and spaniel. At low tide, walk to Tresco for the Abbey Gardens.
DETAILS: Doubles from £145 b&b (hellbay.co.uk, 01720 422947). Dogs £15 a night.
BEACH BOUNDING
You’RE a mile from the beach at Bang B&B, traditional rooms ‘bang in’ the middle of Wells-next-the
sea in norfolk. After hearty breakfast for both, enjoy a bracing beach walk; holkham and Brancaster one way, Blakeney Point and west runton the other. rsPB Titchwell (leads on) is nearby.
DETAILS: doubles from £105 b&b (banginwells.co.uk, 01328 712149). dogs £5 a night.
WOODLAND WALKS
wEsTonBirT arboretum’s on the doorstep of the hare and hounds hotel in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. This listed building, its garden and grounds is in the Cotswolds ( ie: peak antique shops). showers, kit and a menu for dogs, a library and a cream tea for you. if your pet’s naughty, threaten a highgrove house visit (no dogs).
DETAILS: doubles from £125 b&b (cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk, 01666 881000). one dog £20 a night, additional dogs £10.
A-LIST LUXURY
A PRE-ARRIVAL consultation with the pet concierge at five-star Egerton house hotel ( pictured top) in London’s knightsbridge ensures an indulgent stay. Cast iron dog bed, mineral water and teddy bears? Absolutely. You both can enjoy afternoon tea for two; a cake stand with cream scones and pastries for you, meatloaf and ice cream for Fido. shopping awaits.
DETAILS: doubles from £300 b&b (egertonhousehotel.com, 0207 589 2412). dogs go free.
FORESTS & FESTIVALS
AFTER a Bark ranger guided walk with a dog behaviour specialist, sailing or visiting the annual dog festival ( dogstival.co.uk), you’ll need the cosy respite and gin bar of Thatched Cottage at Brockenhurst in hampshire’s new Forest. There are welcome packs, doggy dinners and pubs for your supper. DETAILS: doubles from £119. (thatchedcottage.co.uk, 01590 622005). dogs £10.