Every year, Rover sets out to find the very best pubs for pups and their people – and the results for 2026 are officially in.
This year, Rover’s Tavern Testers and their four-legged companions visited 110 pubs across the country, putting each one through its paces to find the venues going above and beyond to welcome dogs.
And taking the title of UK’s Most Dog-Friendly Pub 2026 is…
The Brandling Villa, Newcastle
Leading the pack this year is The Brandling Villa in Newcastle, which impressed our testers with its commitment to making dogs feel like proper pub regulars.
Four-legged visitors are welcome throughout the venue, with fresh water and plenty of treats on hand. But it’s the extra touches that really helped The Brandling Villa stand out – from dog artwork and larger-than-life murals to its brilliantly named ‘Jimmy Kibble’ treat machine.
This is a pub that doesn’t just welcome dogs – it celebrates and goes the extra mile for them.
The pubs snapping at its heels
The competition was close, with The Lion at Basford in Nottingham and Church on the Hill in Glasgow sharing second place in Rover’s 2026 ranking.
Both were highly commended for their pup-friendly approach, showing there are brilliant pubs across Britain making four-legged visitors feel every bit as welcome as their humans.
From water bowls and treats to staff who know their four-legged regulars by name, Britain’s pubs are increasingly making dogs part of the experience.
So, wherever your next walk takes you, there’s never been a better excuse to finish it with a pint and a treat—pup included.
2026 Regional Winners
Rover’s Tavern Testers also crowned a standout winner in every region:
- North East – The Brandling Villa, Newcastle
- Scotland – Church on the Hill, Glasgow
- East Midlands – The Lion at Basford, Nottingham
- Yorkshire – The Penny Hedge – Whitby
- South East – Jolly Farmer – Worplesdon
- London – The Foxglove – Islington
- West Midlands – Quill & Scholar – Lichfield
- East of England – The Farmers Boy – Brickendon
- Wales – Greyhound Inn – Usk
- North West – The Queen’s Head – Troutbeck
- South West – The Curlew – West Parley
