With its rolling countryside, sweeping beaches, and charming market towns, the East of England is a glorious corner of the country to go on adventures with your dog. Of course, any day out has to include a moment to rest and refuel, which makes tracking down dog-friendly pubs an essential part of planning. The good news is that many pub landlords in East Anglia understand that our dogs are a part of the family and gladly welcome them through their doors.
Dog-Friendly Pubs Our Testers Visited in the East of England
Our testers rounded up dog-friendly pubs in the East of England. Discover these and the regional champion, who we reveal at the end.
Fort St George, Cambridge
Address: Midsummer Common, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 1HA
Telephone: 01223 354 327
Nearest train station: Cambridge Station
Reservations needed: Walk-ins welcome, except on Christmas Day
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Live music: Occasionally
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£20
Good for: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
Recommended dish for humans: Duck hash
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 12pm-11pm
- Sunday: 12pm-10.30pm
A walk along the River Cam in Cambridge conveniently leads you to The Fort St George. An unbeatable hangout on a sunny day, there’s ample outdoor space with around 300 seats. Dogs are welcome inside and out, with treats waiting at the front of the pub as well as plenty of bowls and water barrels for endless refills. A wintry visit is just as worthwhile, with a grand Inglenook fireplace to warm you up after a chilly walk.
The Dukes Head, Billericay
Address: Laindon Common Road, Billericay, Essex, CM12 9TA
Telephone: 01277 651 333
Nearest public transport: Laindon Common bus stop
Reservations needed: Walk-ins and bookings welcome
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£28
Good for: Vegetarian and vegan options
Recommended dish for humans: Steak & malbec pie
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 11am–11pm
- Sunday: 11am–10pm
With plenty of dog-friendly space indoors and out, dogs are a regular sight at The Dukes Head. Staff are always ready to serve your pup a fresh water bowl along with whatever you’re having from the menu, which includes a mix of pub classics and modern favourites. When you and your dog need to stretch your legs, Laindon Common is just across the road.
The Anchor, Danbury
Address: Runsell Green, Danbury, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 4QZ
Telephone: 01245 222 457
Nearest train station: Chelmsford Station
Reservations needed: Booking advised, especially on Sundays
Indoor or outdoor seating: Section of the bar and outdoors
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£20
Good for: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
Recommended dish for humans: Fish and chips
Opening hours:
- Monday: 12pm-3.30pm
- Tuesday to Thursday: 12pm-3.30pm & 5.30–10pm
- Friday and Saturday: 12pm–11pm
- Sunday: 12pm-9pm
A blooming wonderful dog-friendly pub, The Anchor in Danbury is known for its pretty flower-filled garden. There are 40 benches and a kids’ play area here, making it a hit with families. There’s also a great circular walk you can do if you want to work up an appetite before visiting. Either way, your dog will happily snaffle the free treats or one of the healthy raw hides on the dog chew menu.
The Cricketers, Clavering
Address: Clavering, Near Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4QT
Telephone: 01799 550 442
Nearest public transport: The Cricketers bus stop
Reservations needed: Booking advised
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£25
Good for: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options
Recommended dish for humans: Battered haddock
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7am-11pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 8am-11pm
Make The Cricketers your base for exploring the beautiful North West Essex countryside. Established in a 16th-century building that’s been thoughtfully updated, mixing contemporary comfort with traditional touches, the pub has dog-friendly bedrooms and a Muddy Paws Stay package. During a rest stop, you can also treat your dog to something from the menu, with goodies like Denzel’s Soft Baked Chews and Yaki Snacks, which are bound to set their tail wagging.
Ferry Boat Inn, Chelmsford
Address: Ferry Road, North Fambridge, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 6LR
Telephone: 01621 738 844
Nearest train station: North Fambridge Station
Reservations needed: Yes
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£24
Good for: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
Recommended dish for humans: Fish and chips
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 8.30am–11pm
- Sunday: 8.30am–10pm
From breakfast through to dinner, and even overnight (if you reserve the dog-friendly bedroom), the Ferry Boat Inn will take good care of you and your dog. Take a stroll across one of the many lovely local walks around the Blue House Farm nature reserve before settling at this charming venue for a refreshing drink. There are even biscuits, sausages, or ice pops to make sure your dog doesn’t miss out on the fun, either. The pub has been at the heart of the North Fambridge community since 1801 – be sure to ask the team about its colourful history.
The Hare & Hounds, Colchester
Address: Crayes Green, Layer Breton, Colchester, Essex, CO2 0PN
Telephone: 01206 330 459
Nearest public transport: The Old Meeting House bus stop in Layer Breton
Reservations needed: Walk-ins welcome, but booking advised on Sundays
Indoor or outdoor seating: Bar and garden
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£20
Good for: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
Recommended dish for humans: Fish of the day
Opening hours:
- Sunday to Tuesday: 12pm–9pm
- Wednesday to Saturday: 12pm–11pm
The Hare & Hounds love of dogs is always on display thanks to their ‘Hounds at the Hare’ board, a photo collection of four-legged regulars that adorns the wall. They also give out treats and have lots of space in and around the pub for dogs to roam. Better still, they have a dog-friendly campsite if you want to stay longer and really make the most of the local area’s walking trails.
The Green Man, Trumpington
Address: 55 High Street, Trumpington, Cambridge, CB2 9HZ
Telephone: 01223 844 903
Nearest public transport: Bus stop just outside the pub
Reservations needed: Walk-ins and bookings welcome
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£20
Good for: Vegetarian and vegan options
Recommended dish for humans: Pan-roasted lamb rump
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 11am–11pm
The Green Man is a premium pub (think elevated pub classics and elegant interiors) with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, where you can unwind after getting to know historic Cambridge. Whether you’re craving comfort food and a real ale or an alfresco dinner and cocktails in the garden, they’ll have something to suit your mood. Dogs are always welcomed with treats and a water bowl, should they need one.
Ramblewood Inn, Peterborough
Address: The Village, Orton Longueville, Peterborough, PE2 7DN
Telephone: 01733 391 111
Nearest public transport: Orton Mere bus stop
Reservations needed: Walk-ins
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both, except for the restaurant
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£21
Good for: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
Recommended dish for humans: Sea bass
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 11am–11pm
- Sunday: 12pm-10.30pm
For a cosy village pub experience, visit the Ramblewood Inn with your dog. There are lots of nooks and crannies where you can settle in for a quiet drink or bite to eat, plus treats and water bowls for your dog. In the summer months, there’s a lovely wooded garden to relax in, while the open fire will draw you in during the winter. The pub is part of the Orton Hotel, which has dog-friendly rooms available.
The Waterside Inn, Hertfordshire
Address: Bridgefoot, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 9DW
Telephone: 01920 468 628
Nearest train station: Ware Station
Reservations needed: Walk-ins
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£30
Good for: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
Recommended dish for humans: Sausage & mash
Opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10am–11pm
- Friday and Saturday: 10am–12am
- Sunday: 10am–10.30pm
The Waterside Inn gets its name from its prime position on the River Lea. The garden with beautiful riverside views is a dreamy spot for a peaceful pint. However, the pub also has a livelier side with regular quizzes, DJs, and live sport events. For dogs, there are free treats and a Sir Woofchester menu that includes tasty dishes such as burgers, sausages, and roast dinners. They also offer doggy drinks, such as dog beers and even a paw-nstar martini.
The Best Dog-Friendly Pub in the East of England: The Chequers, Stevenage, Hertfordshire
Address: Bragbury End, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 8TH
Telephone: 01438 817 814
Nearest public transport: Bus stop just outside the pub
Reservations needed: Bookings advised on weekends and bank holidays
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£23
Good for: Vegetarian and vegan options
Recommended dish for humans: Sunday roast
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 12pm-11pm
- Sunday: 12pm-10.30pm
The Chequers is a charming country pub with a menu of delicious pub classics to match. Your dog will no doubt sniff out the stations of treats and water inside and outside. They can curl up on the blankets and cushions provided while you tuck into your meal or savour your pint. This setup is made even cosier when the three open log fires are lit during the colder months.
This pub offers a separate restaurant area for dogs in addition to the bar and garden spaces. Signs throughout the venue warmly welcome pets, and a basket of various dog beds ensures that dogs can relax comfortably. While there is no dedicated dog menu, the staff happily cook up special treats like sausages.
Unsure if your dog is pub-friendly?
Not every dog is destined to be a pub dog. If a loud environment and being around groups of strangers could upset your dog or cause them to become overly reactive, it might be best to let them enjoy a stress-free time at home. Check out Rover dog sitters in the East of England who can offer a helping hand while you’re away.
