People are keener than ever to spend their free time in places that allow them to hang out with their dogs. Their range of pet-friendly options is constantly expanding from offices to cafes and hotels to special movie screenings. Pubs are a vital part of this: according to a 2023 poll by dog-friendly letting agent Canine Cottages, around 79% of pet parents prioritize having a dog-friendly pub or restaurant nearby.
Rover is all about finding great times for you and your dog, so we took it upon ourselves to find pubs that offer those great times with minimum fuss. But given that dogs have… patchy success with filling out scorecards, how could we review and rank the best dog-friendly pubs on offer? Well, we picked a range of hardy Tavern Testers to put boots (and paws) on the ground and learn what they could about what British hospitality can offer your pooch.
Our Tavern Testers will also highlight the best pubs in ten regions across the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) so that your dog can receive the Royal Corgi treatment wherever you find yourselves.
It’s important not to bring a dog into this environment for the first time without preparation, so check out our roundup of everything you need to know before taking your dog to the pub for the first time.
Last paw-ders!
And The Best Dog-Friendly Pub in the UK is…
Our scrupulous and determined Tavern Testers have put their heads (and snoots) together and decided on an overall victor for 2024!
Drumroll, please…
The Lion at Basford, in New Basford, Nottingham! The pub stood out to our Tavern Testers for its doggy ice cream, the carabiners attached to the furniture for guests to put their dog’s leads on, and staff trained in first aid for dogs, meaning The Lion at Basford has clinched title. Discover more about this and other pubs in the Region here.
Meet Our Tavern Testers
Here’s the rundown of our plucky pub pups and their people who got their 6-12 feet in the door for the 2024 Dog-Friendly Pub Awards. For the full list of pubs, please scroll past our list of paws-in-pubs connoisseurs.
East Midlands – Meg Bowden & Basil
Based in Nottingham, Meg and her beloved dog Basil ‘Bargain’ Bowden are Rover’s official Tavern Testers in the East Midlands. Nine-year-old Basil had a hard start to life, with Meg rescuing him when he was just 5 months old. Basil has since had a rags to riches glow up and made Meg’s life complete in every way.
The perfect duo, both Meg and Basil are big fans of the pub, with Basil often insisting on a quick visit on their way home from the park. In fact, they’re such devoted regulars to their local that Basil even has his picture framed on their wall.
North West – Laura Minnithorpe & Lexie
Based in Northwich, Cheshire, Laura and her two-year-old golden retriever, Lexie, are on a mission to help find the most dog-friendly pub in the North West – visiting a shortlist of pubs across the region, from the bustling cities of Manchester and Liverpool to the serene countryside of Cheshire. With their unbreakable bond and shared love for adventure, Laura and Lexie are the ideal duo to help Rover with this quest. They know exactly what they’re looking for when it comes to finding the ulti-mutt dog-friendly pub, from doggy dinners to unlimited treats, and together, they are determined to sniff out the best competition.
West Midlands – Lydia Stoneman & Rupert
Lydia and her spirited springer spaniel, Rupert, are Rover’s designated Tavern Testers in the West Midlands. Rupert is the ultimate pub dog connoisseur – raised on pub floors since a pup, he’s a seasoned pro at navigating the friendly chaos. Together, the pair love to spend their free time sniffing out all the dog-loving pubs, making Rupert the perfect tester. A social butterfly, he thrives on head pats and tasty treats. And when he’s on duty? He dons his dapper bow tie, ready to charm patrons and assess the pub’s canine cred. With Rupert by Lydia’s side, no pub goes unnoticed!
London – Gareth and Kevin & Wanda and Harvey
Gareth, his husband Kevin, and their two Miniature Dachshunds (Wanda and Harvey) are our chosen tavern testers for London! With their extensive experience researching and visiting dog-friendly pubs up and down the country, they were the perfect fit! Not to mention their pooches are TikTok sensations, with one post reaching a million views!
Wales – Jeremy & Luna
We have Cross Border Jack Russel, Luna, and her pet parent, Jeremy, touring Wales and taking on the role of tavern testers. Luna is described as a social butterfly with an infectious personality who can easily adapt to new surroundings. The pair have a routine of visiting pubs three times a week, making them well-experienced and dog-friendly pub experts.
Scotland – Louise & Ted
Scotland’s Tavern Testers are Louise, and her partner in crime, Ted, the miniature poodle. Ted is a true companion, going pretty much everywhere with Louise, and meets lots of new people whenever he is out and about. Ted is such a regular at his local pub that if Louise goes to the pub without him, she’s always greeted with a “where’s Ted?” – which speaks for itself!
Yorkshire – Janet & Duke
Rover’s tavern testers for Yorkshire are Janet, and her two-year-old Golden Retriever, Duke. Since Duke was a puppy, he and his pawrents have been out and about in pubs across Yorkshire, constantly on the lookout for the perfect dog-friendly venue. Janet and her husband Darren always want to ensure the trip is just as special for Duke as it is for them – which is why Janet always makes sure she does her research beforehand! The trio even has their own Five Paws award that they give to places that tick all the boxes, making them pawfectly qualified to be a Rover Tavern Tester.
East of England – Jodie & Buddy
For the East of England, we have Jodie and her Cavapoo, Buddy, Tavern Testing the region. They are each other’s perfect companion and keep each other company when on a pub crawl. Buddy is a pawfessional pub go-er and is always on his best behaviour, making him perfect for the job!
South East – Daniel & Spring
Daniel from Buckinghamshire and Schnauzer, Spring, love being out and about. He’s been taking Spring to pubs, cafes, and restaurants since she was only a few months old, and pub owners tend to love her!
Daniel and Spring spend most weekends enjoying long dog walks around the Chilterns, which finishes with a pub lunch and drink. They’re part of a local Schnauzer meetup group where they meet for a dog walk and pub lunch every month, so they know all about the best dog-friendly pubs in the area. Daniel also loves exploring further afield with Spring, taking day trips to surrounding areas such as the Cotswolds, London Boroughs, and even up north!
North East – Sarah, Pablo & Peanut
Sarah and fluffy Cavapoo duo Peanut and Pablo love nothing more than exploring dog-friendly places. Having spent the first few years of their lives in London exploring what the city has to offer, they’re now loving a slower pace of life in the North East, back home to their roots.
If they’re not trying out dog-friendly pubs and restaurants across the region, you’ll probably find them on a beach. Peanut loves playing fetch, and Pablo thoroughly enjoys causing as much chaos as possible!
Sarah is incredibly passionate about dog-friendly places. Peanut and Pablo are beloved family members, and she greatly values being able to bring them along wherever they go.
South West – Corrina & Oreo
Corrina Cooper and 9-year-old Chicon, Oreo, have been inseparable for years. Oreo is calm and well-behaved, and he loves meeting new people and dogs—he’s a real social butterfly! Corrina finds taking him to dog-friendly pubs a delight because his tail wags with pure joy.
Oreo is not your ordinary dog. He’s full of creativity and imagination and has an adventurous spirit with which he embraces new experiences.
Corrina prioritizes Oreo’s happiness, so she understands what makes a pub truly dog-friendly—it’s not just about the basics; it’s about creating a welcoming atmosphere where dogs can thrive. Oreo loves pubs that go above and beyond, offering comfy spaces, friendly staff, fresh water bowls, and sometimes, if he’s lucky, a treat or two.
