Dogs have long been an essential part of human civilisation ever since we domesticated their wolf ancestors. Trusted companions and hard workers, they deserve to experience a little of the luxury we seek out for ourselves — and the UK’s dog-friendly spa hotels are making it happen.
Fancy afternoon tea where the dog gets their own cake stand? No problem: homemade pet-friendly pastries abound. Forget the kids’ clubs, what about a dog crèche? Sorted — while you soak in the spa, they’ll make new friends. And if you can’t be bothered to head down for dinner, there’s in-room dining for dogs, too. Book one of these dog-friendly spa hotels in the UK for a sublime escape for every member of the family.
Oxfordshire
The vast Estelle Manor estate has had many uses over the years — including as a public swimming pool and police training academy — but now it’s taken on an entirely new personality as one of the most luxurious hotels in the Cotswolds. The 18th-century sandstone mansion itself is like an eccentric collector’s home, with antiques from as far as East Asia and a collection of striking artworks on the walls. Expect high-end Chinese cuisine in The Billiards Room, outdoor fun and games in the padel court and serene luxury in the Eynsham Baths spa.
Take a walkie Estelle Manor’s grounds cover 85 acres, so there are walks aplenty in the grounds. For a longer ramble nearby, drive out to Blenheim Palace where there are endless trails on the estate belonging to the Duke of Marlborough.
Bring the leash The 1,000-year-old Cogges Manor Farm is a brilliant place to take the kids and the dog for a family-friendly day out.
Doggie details The pet fee at Estelle Manor is £100 per dog per night — they get a welcome pack, dog bed, foam duvet, plastic floor mats with two bowls and waste bags. Dog food can be ordered via in-room dining; The Glasshouse restaurant, The Armoury, The Living Room, The Brasserie and The Orangery are all dog-friendly until 8pm. There’s no limit for dogs here, but you need to call ahead to ensure you get a pet-friendly room.
Hampshire
Heckfield Place is so much more than the elegant Georgian mansion at its heart. This property is a truly special place, with 438 acres to explore where both untamed and manicured gardens make for idyllic morning ambles with your pet. Fine food from the biodynamic kitchen garden and farm will keep you well fed after long walks or wild swims on the estate, and the wellbeing Bothy invites those seeking an escape from everyday life to truly switch off.
Take a walkie Beyond the estate, Hampshire has myriad footpaths and byways to follow for strolls in quintessential English countryside, but drive a little further afield to take Windsor Castle’s Long Walk.
Bring the leash The charming riverside town of Caversham is a 25-minute drive away and has river cruise boats for hire if you fancy hitting the Thames.
Doggie details Dog-friendly rooms are on the ground floor in the hotel’s East Corridor and in the Church Lodge. There’s a small cleaning charge of £35, and a bed, bowls and waste bags are supplied. Your furry friend can also join you for dinner at Marle, where there are some separate tables for those with pets. Dogs can go everywhere on the estate on a lead (cattle and sheep are present) and must be a minimum of 12 months of age.
Cornwall
Set on the Cornish coast atop a steep hill overlooking the eponymous estuary, Fowey Hall has an enviable location with utterly beguiling views out over the ocean. Cracking Sunday lunches satiate those with an appetite, and mid-week menus champion local produce and fresh fish and seafood. The sea-view spa is an idyllic place to unwind, and families will love the indoor pool and kids’ club.
Take a walkie You’re in prime position for long walks on the South West Coast Path here. The National Trust’s Fowey Hall Walk is a gorgeous four-mile trail involving ferries and footbridges that navigate over the river and estuary.
Bring the leash Beach trips are an essential Cornish escapade and there are plenty of dog-friendly stretches near Fowey. Par Sands is a vast stretch with great facilities; for something quieter, head to the Caribbean-esque Lantic Bay.
Doggie details Fowey Hall is exceptionally dog-friendly, with dedicated dining areas for dinner and breakfast so your pups needn’t be left behind, and even dog afternoon teas, that include homemade cakes for your pet and ‘puppuccinos’ all round. Your canines can enjoy their own in-room dining, too. The fee is £25 per dog per night, and the welcome pack includes bowls, beds, a tennis ball and treats on arrival.
London
If you’ve ever wondered what the inside of a bank’s gold vault might look like, you can find out when you check into The Ned City of London, as this former headquarters of Midland Bank has swapped bullion for massage beds in its basement spa. Its offices have been turned into glorious 1920s styled bedrooms — think velvet sofas, ornate chandeliers and lampshades with swishing tassels — and its eight restaurants have enough fine fare to keep even the richest of bankers happy.
Take a walkie You’re right in the heart of The City of London here, which means grassy parks are few and far between. The gardens of the magnificently domed St Paul’s Cathedral are the nearest and nicest green spaces. City-slicking hounds will enjoy pounding the pavements of the Thames Path just a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
Bring the leash Even with your four-legged friend in tow, you can enjoy a day out at a London icon while you’re here. Dogs are warmly welcomed on the glass walkways and in the exhibitions at Tower Bridge. Time it to coincide with the bridge lifting and you’ll get an even more exciting view.
Doggie details It’s a small-dogs-only situation here. There’s no charge to bring your pup, but dogs are restricted to rooms only at The Ned, meaning they’ll need to be left alone while you dine or have breakfast in the restaurant.
Cotswolds
Thyme is the sort of place that makes you feel lighter and brighter. Perhaps it’s the colourful florals in the elegant bedrooms or chef Charlie Hibbert’s masterful creations with produce from the kitchen garden. The Meadow Spa will have a restorative effect, too — especially if you find time to languish by the outdoor pool when the sun is shining — and it’s all made especially beguiling by its beautiful Cotswolds setting.
Take a walkie Dogs are welcome to wander around this working farm with you, but they need to remain on a leash at all times. For off-leash adventures, go for a walk around the gorgeous Whelford Pool Nature Reserve.
Bring the leash Keen walkers will love the myriad footpaths that snake across the Cotswolds countryside from here, but those with kids will want to hit the road and head to the nearby Cotswold Wildlife Park, where the dog can join you to meet big cats and lanky giraffes.
Doggie details Thyme accepts just one dog per room, for a £50 fee. A bed, bowls and towel are included for your pet, and they are welcome in the Baa Bar and The Swan pub for drinks and meals. Dogs may be left in the room, should you wish to have some time without them.
Bath
Just a 30-minute drive from the amber-hued Cotswolds town of Bath — where the Celtics and Romans were the first to embrace the warm mineral waters that trickled up from beneath the ground — handsome Homewood is a worthy place for a relaxing spa break. An outdoor heated pool will tempt you for a dip even in the coldest months, and hydrotherapy experiences abound inside. The hotel’s restaurant makes the most of what grows in the kitchen garden, and you can dine alfresco in their cosy outdoor domes.
Take a walkie There’s 20 acres of leafy grounds to amble in with the dog, but further afield you can hike the Bath Skyline walk — a six-mile trail with glorious views over the town and surrounding countryside.
Bring the leash It would be remiss not to spend a day out in Bath, where you can take the dog into the pretty gardens of the American Museum. Alternatively, head to Cheddar Gorge and Caves to see the tangy cheese ageing within a geological wonder.
Doggie details If it weren’t for the magnificent spa here, you’d be forgiven for thinking this hotel was built for dogs. There’s an agility course for lively morning runs, dog-friendly dining areas in the conservatory at Olio restaurant, and a regularly-changing menu just for them. For pet-free days, you can even book them into the on-site dog crèche. It costs £35 a pet, each night and includes a bed and welcome pack with treats and a ball.
Edinburgh
Handily set right on St Andrew Square in Edinburgh’s New Town — ideal for those essential morning wanders with the dog — Gleneagles Townhouse is a sumptuous stay. Bedrooms are rich in plush fabrics and striking patterned wallpaper, while the urban wellness centre has a cryotherapy suite and an infrared sauna to complement Dr Barbara Sturm facials. The highlight here, though, is a rooftop bar where views across this storied city pair perfectly with unique cocktails.
Take a walkie No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a wander up Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano that lords over the Scottish capital and has exceptional views of the castle.
Bring the leash The local dogs all flock to Portobello Beach when the weather’s right. Dog-friendly year-round, this is the place to let the dog run free and splash in the surf. It’s just a 15-minute drive or bus ride from the city centre.
Doggie details Two dogs no larger than the size of a labrador are welcome here and the £100 fee for each pet, a night covers beds, bowls and biscuits in your room. Dogs can’t join you for drinks or dinner in the restaurant, but you may leave them in the room while you dine.
Want to up your treat game further? See the rest of our luxury dog-friendly hotels
