Lancashire has something for everyone, world-famous seaside towns like Blackpool, the undulating fells and moorland of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and scenic canals and countryside. Lancastrians and their dogs are truly spoilt! This county is also chock full of dog-friendly pubs so there’s no reason not to bring your best friend along if you fancy a drink. We’ve done some research and compiled a handy guide to a few of Lancashire’s most dog-friendly pubs so you don’t have to.
And if you’re visiting Lancashire and don’t want to drive, take the train! You can take up to two dogs with you on all British trains free of charge—find out more in our article Can I Take My Dog on the Train?
1. The Bay Horse Hotel
Address & Map: Babylon Lane, Chorley, PR6 9ER
As dog owners themselves, Karl and Fiona who run The Bay Horse Hotel know how important it is to treat dogs and their owners like VIPs. The watering hole has everything you could ever want from a traditional country pub: great cask ales, cosy snugs, log fires, and lots of dogs. The 18th century coaching inn’s location near the Rivington Hills means it’s popular with cyclists, families, and dog walkers from near and far. The pub also has a games room with a pool table, and a bowling green at the rear.
There’s always plenty of fresh water on hand and free treats for four-legged patrons, and if your dog’s especially lucky they might even get a few scraps of meat from the kitchen. Owners will love their simple but thoughtfully prepared menu of British-inspired dishes and they can eat in the restaurant with their dog by their side. There are regular pub quizzes and live acoustic music nights and on Tuesdays they have ‘knit and natter’ gathering.
2. The Parkers Arms
Address & Map: Clitheroe, BB7 3DY
The Parkers Arms is well known in Lancashire’s gastropub scene and it’s earned a reputation for its exciting menus. Their food is seasonal, locally sourced and uncomplicated, and the atmosphere, warm and friendly. Though the dining room is off-limits to dogs, they’re more than welcome in the bar area and in the beer garden.
While your little friend enjoys a dog treat, you’ll have to make do with cider cured pork loin on the bone with rhubarb butter or perhaps charcoal grilled peas and cockles with elderflower vinegar dressing. If you aren’t hungry, plenty of locals and their dogs also congregate at the bar for a pint of well-kept local real ale or a glass of wine from their superb list, so pull up a chair and make some new friends (furry or otherwise).
3. Dalton Arms
Address & Map: Ten Row, Lancaster, LA2 0BZ
Located in Glasson Dock at the entrance of the River Lune and right alongside the Quay, you’ll find the Dalton Arms. The 18th century village pub run by Geoff and Debbie has a warm atmosphere, fantastic food and great views of the working dock. With fantastic country walks and an abundance of wildlife nearby, it’s an ideal place to visit with your dog. Plus there’s always a treat and a bowl of water waiting for four-legged visitors. As you’d expect from any outstanding village pub it serves real ales, superb locally sourced food, and hosts a range of events from acoustic folk nights to open mic nights to food pop ups. We’ll see you there!
4. The Station Hotel
Address & Map: Hornby Road, Lancaster, LA2 9QS
Well-behaved guests of the two-and four-legged variety are welcome throughout The Station Hotel’s bar and restaurant. The stunning pub’s situated in the village of Caton in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty so there are plenty of options if you fancy having a wander with your little buddy before popping in for a pint.
Dogs are brought a bowl of water on arrival and you can help yourself to dog biscuits on the bar. Meanwhile you can choose between one of their six cask ales, fantastic wines or a G&T made with one of their superb gins, and if you’re hungry they serve top-notch locally sourced food seven days a week. Come summer you and the little fella can bask in the sun’s warmth from the lovely beer garden which overlooks a bowling green.
5. Fifteens St Annes
Address & Map: 42 Saint Anne’s Road West, Lytham Saint Annes, FY8 1RF
This pub in Lytham St Annes is a former bank so it’s got high ceilings, hardwood floors, stained glass windows, and a vault that you can check out. The dog-friendly watering hole is popular with locals and their dogs to the point where there are sometimes as many dogs as humans.
Fifteens St Annes is Cask Marque accredited so you know their draught ale is top-notch, and they also have two real ciders on tap. The have live music every Saturday evening and host a beer festival twice a year, including SummerFest which involves lots of real ale, cider and live music!
6. The Clog And Billycock
Address & Map: Billinge End Road, Blackburn, BB2 6QB
For over 150 years The Clog and Billycock has been keeping the residents of Pleasington—a rural village set on a hillside above the River Darwen—hydrated and merry. As well as six cask ales the bar’s crammed with malts, gins, and 50 or so wines. They specialise in sourcing the very best ingredients before cooking and presenting them in a modern but unpretentious way, and offer killer Sunday roasts as well as gluten-free options.
Furry patrons will be taken care of with a bowl of fresh water and treats on arrival. They also host the occasional charity dog walk—the free event includes tea, coffee, a butty, and a guided walk round the beautiful surrounding countryside. If you’re not feeling quite that energetic, their outdoor terrace lined with flower beds acts as a sun trap in the summer months but it’s transformed into a covered outside seating area with open fire when it gets colder.
7. The Rock Inn
Address & Map: Tockholes Road, Darwen, BB3 0LU
Dogs are welcome throughout The Rock Inn, except in the restaurant area, but the landlady keeps a supply of dog treats for her canine customers. Your furry best mate will also have access to plenty of fresh water and cuddles from the friendly staff. There’s even have a wall dedicated to displaying pictures of their four-legged regulars.
There are loads of picturesque dog walks nearby this unpretentious country pub so make a point of popping in for a pint of their real ale or a delicious Sunday roast next time you’re in the area with your dog. There are fantastic views of the surrounding countryside from the beer garden.
8. The Red Lion
Address & Map: 196 Blackburn Road,Chorley, PR6 8EU
One of the pub’s regulars says The Red Lion is “like Crufts with ale.” And it’s a fitting description, beer-loving dog owners flock to this watering hole and it always has a fine range of ales on tap. Dogs are given a warm welcome as well as a bowl of water to quench their thirst and some biccies to keep them happy. Owners can look forward to sampling one or two of their real ales—they have an ever-changing selection from independent breweries.
Though it’s a little off the beaten track, the 19th century village pub is close to both the M61 and M65 so the staff are used to welcoming dogs and their owners from near and far. Take a walk along the nearby canal with your furry little mate before hitting the pub for a nice pint, some live music or a cracking meal—dogs are welcome throughout the pub so you can eat with yours by your side.
9. No 10 Ale House
Address & Map: 10 Park Road, Lytham Saint Annes, FY8 1QX
Since opening in November 2015, No 10 Ale House—a micropub in a converted former shop—has been a dog-friendly hub. Four-legged visitors will of course be treated to a lovely bowl of water and some treats but the pub also has two regular terriers who have their own bed!
Like any good micropub, No 10 Ale House sells real ales and ciders, and is Cask Marque accredited. The Lytham St Annes pub also serves fine wines and a nice range of gins, shuns all forms of electronic entertainment, and dabbles in traditional pub snacks. They host the occasional live music and drink-themed events too.
10. The Strawbury Duck
Address & Map: Overshores Road, Bolton, BL7 0LU
Nestled within the West Pennine Moors, amid hills, forests and reservoirs, The Strawbury Duck is a hidden gem that attracts locals, travellers, bikers, and walkers alike. Once you and your furry little friend have tired yourselves out exploring the sights and smells of the great outdoors, pop into this traditional British pub if you want to be truly spoiled. There’s a barrel of water especially for four-legged patrons and you can expect to meet lots of other good boys and girls who’ve also had a nice walk.
The 18th century inn has recently been restored to its former glory, and features craggy stone floors, warm wooden furniture, candlelit rooms, and log fires—all of which create a cosy, congenial atmosphere. There’s also a beer garden where you can soak in the rays come summer. As well as a selection of award winning cask ales sourced from across the country, they offer a great menu of British classics made with the best produce from the local area.
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Featured image: The Strawbury Duck