Waggy Tails Welcome

The best holiday moments are those shared with loved ones, and the Suffolk countryside has memory-making opportunities for every member of the family to enjoy – even those with padded feet, a furry coat and a wet nose!

At Snape Maltings there are plenty of places to secure your dog, with water bowls provided, and dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area at the Granary Tea Shop, the terrace outside the Concert Hall Café as well as in part of the Plough and Sail pub and its courtyard seating. With so many options you’d be well-advised to work up an appetite first – energetic owners and their pooches will particularly enjoy a walk along the Sailor’s Path, which follows the meandering course of the River Alde.

Further south, you and your dog can meet some rather larger-in-stature four-legged friends at the home of The Suffolk Punch Trust at Hollesley, and different-natured animals at nearby Easton Farm Park. Both are great for a family day out, and welcome dogs on leads.

It’s a case of dog-meet-Dog at Grundisburgh near Woodbridge, where aptly-named pub The Dog welcomes pooches in its bar, restaurant and gardens. Friendly bar staff will spoil your four-legged friends with water and treats while you enjoy a cask beer or bespoke gin and tonic. 

In the north of the county, close to Bungay, the lively Queen’s Head in Earsham has its own micro-brewery and a large front garden overlooking the village green – perfect for pooches who like to keep an eye on all the latest happenings. Also boasting its own brewery and even a 21-seat cinema, The Oyster Inn at Butley is dog-friendly and right next to Rendlesham Forest, so lovely walks can be enjoyed before or after your visit.

A waggy-tail welcome awaits at CAMRA’s North Suffolk Pub of the Year 2017, The Swann Inn, Hoxne, while the Kings Head in Hadleigh is a proud member of the EADT Dog Friendly Pub Club. Further south, the Marquis at Upper Layham is set amid the hills of the Brett Valley and has s a beautiful terraced garden where you and your pet can choose between shaded and sunny seating areas. 

There’s always a treat in store for hounds and their humans at The Unruly Pig at Bromeswell, a Michelin-recommended gastro-pub with cosy log burners, original oak beams, sloping ceilings, Wi-Fi and an eclectic mixture of pop and local art. A traditional pub with a contemporary feel, this is just a mile from the Anglo-Saxon burial site Sutton Hoo, where there are 245 acres to explore and a dog-friendly café.

More wonderful walks are to be found around The Fox Inn at Newbourne, where doggy treats are always stocked and there’s even a suggested walk downloadable from the pub’s website. The Greyhound at Pettsitree does the same, offering details of a five-mile walk that takes in nearby Wickham Market. 

For those who prefer a more gentle, town centre stroll, it’s good to know you don’t have to venture deep into the countryside to experience a warm welcome for dogs – the Station Hotel in Framlingham comes highly recommended by many canine companions, as does the Kings Head in Woodbridge where there’s even a special Mutt’s Menu featuring favourites such as pig ears, gravy bones and doggy sausages.

Browse our range of 100+ dog-friendly holiday cottages situated in idyllic locations across the Suffolk countryside.

Written by Gill Bendall

Photo credit: @MummyConstant