With its rolling countryside, sweeping beaches, and charming market towns, the East of England is a glorious corner of the country for dog adventures. 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 Reviewer Visited in the East of England
Our reviewer rounded up dog-friendly pubs in the East of England. Discover these and the regional champion, who we reveal at the end.
The White Horse, Newmarket
Address: 23 Church St, Exning, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7EH
Telephone: 01223 354327
Nearest train station: Newmarket, with a bus to St. Martin’s church
Reservations needed: Walk-ins welcome, but booking is possible by calling
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Price range (a meal + pint): £20-£25
Dietary requirements? Vegetarian and vegan options
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 12pm-10pm
- Sunday: 12pm-8pm
Dog-friendliness is the first thing mentioned on The White Horse‘s website, and this family pub certainly demonstrates this in practice. Even on a busy race day at the nearby Newmarket, staff will go out of their way to find a calm, quiet seat for people with dogs. Plus, they’ll bring over a water bowl super quickly if they see you with a dog.
Plus, your dog certainly won’t complain about the treats at the bar. And if you’re leaving the pub after 1pm, Newmarket Heath opens up to the public for some beautiful dog walks. Thetford Forest, Devil’s Dyke, and Brandon Country Park are also not far from the pub.
Masons Arms, Bury St. Edmunds
Address: 14 Whiting St, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1NX
Telephone: 01284 753955
Nearest public transport: Bury St. Edmunds
Reservations needed: Bookings recommended if you want to eat at a particular time
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£20-£25
Dietary requirements? Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
Opening hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 12pm–11:30pm
- Friday and Saturday: 12pm–12am
The staff at The Mason’s Arms are truly dog fanatics and made every effort to hype up our Public House Officer’s dog while bringing water over unrequested. Despite being a city centre pub, there’s a chilled-out courtyard offering outdoor quiet with plenty of shade. Plus, they provide beds and blankets, as well as treats and water.
Their roast dinners and homemade pies are something of a local legend, so it’s worth sampling those before heading to the dog-friendly St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Clare Castle Country Park, or Kings Forest.
The George and Dragon, Brentwood
Address: 294 Roman Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0TZ
Telephone: 01277 352461
Nearest train station: Brentwood Station
Reservations needed: Reservations preferred but walk-ins welcome
Indoor or outdoor seating: Dogs are welcome in the bar section and outdoors, but not in the restaurant
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£20-£30
Dietary requirements? Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 11am-11pm
Right near the beautiful heathland and woods of Langdon Hills Country Park, The George and Dragon is well-placed for walkies and gives dogs a warm welcome before or after your jaunt. They offer a bowl of water as soon as you and your dog turn up, and a jar of treats takes pride of place on the bar.
The garden has water bowls absolutely everywhere, and the sheer number of dogs who seem to love coming to the George & Dragon is a testament to their dog-loving nature.
The Blue Lion, Chelmsford
Address: Tabors Hill, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 7BT
Telephone: 01245 474793
Nearest public transport: Chelmsford rail station, then a bus to Great Baddow Vineyards
Reservations needed: Booking helpful but walk-ins available
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£20-£25
Dietary requirements? Vegetarian and vegan options
Opening hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11am-11pm
- Friday and Saturday: 11am-12am
Dogs aren’t allowed in The Blue Lion‘s indoor space when food is being served, so this gives off slightly fewer dog-friendly vibes than other pubs. However, the staff do a great job of making sure people with dogs get quiet, shaded areas in the pub garden. It’s also not a secure garden, but a smattering of water bowls and treats is available.
The staff make up for it with their friendly, dog-attentive nature, and Great Baddow is conveniently located near Chelmer Valley Nature Reserve and a wide range of rich countryside for walks.
Horseshoes Country Pub, Waltham Abbey
Address: Horseshoe Hill, Upshire, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 3SN
Telephone: 01992 712745
Nearest public transport: Epping rail station, then a bus to Village Hall bus stop
Reservations needed: Walk-ins welcome, but booking advised on Sundays
Indoor or outdoor seating: Bar and garden
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£20
Dietary requirements? Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
Opening hours:
- Sunday to Monsday: 12pm-10pm
- Tuesday to Friday: 12pm-11pm
- Saturday: 12pm–12am
Offering a fantastic, secure garden and allowing dogs everywhere inside and outside the building, the beautiful Horseshoes Country Pub is a great spot for its setting between Copthall Green and Sergeants Green. It’s a beautiful hideaway at the outer edge of Epping Forest.
They offer the standard water bowls, treats, and snacks, but it’s the pub’s views over London that help it stand out. The staff clearly love dogs, and the garden is well-shaded, as well as secure. Plus, Warlies Park and Gifford Wood offer up some gorgeous appetite-building walks.
The White Horse, Milton
Address: 20-22 High Street, Milton, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB24 6AJ
Telephone: 01223 901931
Nearest public transport: Cambridge North rail station, with a Milton-bound bus from the station to Edmund Close getting you two minutes away
Reservations needed: Not required, but the pub can get busy, so booking for food is recommended
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£20-£25, with a steak and a pint costing around £30
Dietary requirements? Vegetarian and gluten-free options
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10:30-11pm
A surefire sign of a truly dog-friendly pub is arriving to a colossal garden that’s hosting… a pet market! Even outside of these community beacons for dog lovers, The White Horse provides water, treats, toys, and towels for keeping your dogs refreshed, clean, and entertained after a walk around the nearby Milton Country Park.
The staff love dogs here, and they all make an effort to offer up pats, treats, and attention.
The Woodbine, Waltham Abbey
Address: Woodbine Inn, Honey Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 3QT
Telephone: 01223 844903
Nearest public transport: Bus stop just outside the pub
Reservations needed: Not required, but the pub can get busy so booking for food is recommended
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£20
Dietary requirements? Vegetarian and vegan options
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 11:30am-10pm
- Sunday: 11:30am-8pm
The Woodbine is another superb dog-friendly perch on the edge of Epping Forest, with very friendly staff offering up bowls of water and Bonio treats for your furry walking companions. The pub is renowned for its food, which can make it busy, but you can usually find a calm, shaded area in the pub garden. Only the conservatory is out of bounds for dogs, and they’re made to feel extremely welcome everywhere else.
With this many options around Epping Forest, going for a trot amongst the trees before or after seems like a no-brainer.
Waggon & Horses, Hitchin
Address: 27 High St, Graveley, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 7LE
Telephone: 01438 367658
Nearest public transport: Stevenage rail station, then a bus to The Waggon & Horses Public House
Reservations needed: Walk-ins alllowed but booking recommended as it fills up quickly
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both, except for the restaurant
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£20-£25, with steaks costing a little more
Dietary requirements? Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 11am–11pm
- Sunday: 12pm-11pm
The Waggon & Horses has a picturesque outdoor area with a pond, and that’s not the only fresh water: Your dog’s bowl will be full of it, with treats to boot. The clientele may sometimes be a little intoxicated and loud, which can disturb the dog’s peace somewhat (it’s a risk you take when bringing a dog to a pub, unfortunately). However, the staff are incredibly friendly, and the pub and its surroundings are great to look at.
Give your legs a stretch on Jack’s Hill after you finish your meal.
The Globe Inn, Wells-Next-The-Sea
Address: The Globe Inn, The Buttlands, Wells-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1EU
Telephone: 01328 710206
Nearest train station: King’s Lynn rail station, with a bus to The Buttlands
Reservations needed: Walk-ins
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Price range (a meal + pint): ~£25-£30
Dietary requirements? Vegetarian and vegan options
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 8am–11pm
At The Globe Inn, dogs are welcome in all areas of the pub and can stay overnight in dog-friendly rooms for an extra £25, and all rooms provide a dog bed, towel, and water bowl. They even offer a Sandy Paws package with special treats and a sausage breakfast included.
Those pups not staying over can still eat from a special dog menu featuring hand-baked treats, chews, bones, sausages, and even alcohol-free dog-safe wine.
The Chequers, Stevenage, Hertfordshire
Address: Bragbury End, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 8TH
Telephone: 01438 817814
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
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.
The Best Dog-Friendly Pub in the East of England: Ferry Boat Inn, Chelmsford
Address: Ferry Road, North Fambridge, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 6LR
Telephone: 01621 738844
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
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 waterside 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 Ferry Boat Inn offers a spacious, secure garden where dogs can relax, drink water, and enjoy treats. It’s also been at the heart of the North Fambridge community since 1801 – be sure to ask the team about its colourful history.
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.
