Top 10 Dog-Friendly Places to Stay on the Great West Way

For a quintessentially English holiday with your dog, travel the length of the Great West Way between Bristol and London. You can explore by car, train, bike, boat or foot, passing through vibrant cities, sleepy villages and glorious countryside. Dog walks are a big part of English life - so why not bring your four-legged friend with you as you discover the essence of England along the Great West Way? There will be plenty to keep the whole family happy, from pet-friendly attractions and cafes to long dog walks through open countryside. So take a look at these ten lovely dog-friendly accommodation options along the length of the Great West Way, featuring fancy hotels, cosy self-catering accommodation, countryside inns, welcoming campsites and even narrowboats.

Whatley Manor Hotel, near Malmesbury

Whatley Manor is a luxurious, quintessentially English Wiltshire hotel with a number of dog-friendly ground floor rooms. Set in 12 acres of grounds, and located on the edge of the Cotswolds near Malmesbury, you can be sure of plenty of pretty Great West Way walks for you and your four-legged friends to enjoy in the surrounding countryside. Well trained dogs over 6 months are welcome to stay if booked in advance, with a £30/night supplement. You will find a luxury dog basket, food, treats, poo bags and a toy for your companion waiting in your room on arrival.

Honeystreet Boats, Wiltshire

Why not stay on a beautiful canal boat on the Kennet & Avon Canal as you explore the Great West Way? Enjoy an all-in-one option for both fun transport and cosy accommodation with Honeystreet Boats, based in the beautiful Vale of Pewsey. Their lovely narrowboats are all dog-friendly. Sit back and relax as you set a leisurely pace floating along the canal, moor up for a while at a canalside beer garden, or take your canine friend for a brisk walk along the towpath.

The Rose & Crown, Wiltshire

You will find the Rose and Crown at the foot of the rolling countryside of the Lambourn Downs in the charming village of Ashbury. Expect a traditional village inn where young children and dogs are both welcome. Europe’s oldest road - the Ridgeway - runs nearby, offering brilliant views and great dog walks.

Bath Self Catering, in and around Bath

Want to stay in or around Bath as part of your Great West Way adventure? Bringing your dog? Bath Self Catering can help. This association of high quality, luxury self-catering holiday cottages and apartments includes many pet-friendly options. There are lots of options for you and your dog to choose from, including modern city-centre apartments or cosy countryside cottages within striking distance of the city.

Manor Farm Courtyard Cottages, near Newbury

The four luxuriously-appointed self-catering cottages at Manor Farm Courtyard Cottages in the little Berkshire village of Hampstead Norreys welcome well-behaved dogs. These 17th century former barns and stables provide everything you need for a luxurious stay, with a village shop and cafe a stone's throw away and lots of lovely dog walks on the doorstep.

Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club Site, Wiltshire

Experience the rural charm and beauty of Wiltshire at Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club Site, an ideal place to stay if you’re travelling the Great West Way route by campervan. Pets are welcome at the site, and there are even designated enclosed dog-walking areas where you can exercise your canine companion. The location of the site alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal also means you will have lovely dog walk options along the towpath; head East along the canal to reach the spectacular Caen Hill Locks after around two miles. This staircase of locks carries the canal up and over a hill in an impressive feat of 19th century engineering. 

The Queens Arms, near Hungerford

Explore the lovely countryside near Hungerford during a stay at the Queens Arms, an award-winning hotel, pub and restaurant situated in the beautiful village of East Garston in West Berkshire. There are 12 bespoke bedrooms, a selection of which are dog-friendly. If you're looking for local dog walks during your stay, you will be spoilt for choice; the Queens Arms is set in the heart of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and surrounded by stunning Berkshire countryside.

The Royal Oak, Yattendon, Berkshire

Dog owners will love the Royal Oak at Yattendon - a charming and characterful country inn at the heart of a pretty Berkshire village where you can enjoy a comfortable stay and a delicious meal. There is a £10 surcharge per dog if you are bringing a four-legged friend with you for your stay, and you can be sure of a warm welcome for the whole family. What's more, Yattendon village boasts a large network of local footpaths and bridleways for you and your dog to explore.

The Roseate Villa Bath

Overlooking the tranquil Henrietta Park, the Roseate Villa Bath is moments from the centre of the beautiful Georgian city of Bath. The Roseate Villa Bath welcome dogs with open arms - in fact the hotel even has its own dog, Muttley! Bath itself has many great dog walks to enjoy, including the National Trust's Bath Skyline walk with impressive views over the city.  

Herongate Apartments, Hungerford

Book a stay at the pet-friendly Herongate Apartments during your Great West Way journey. There are four apartments to choose from, all conveniently located just a few minutes' walk from Hungerford High Street and the beautiful Kennet and Avon Canal, with dogs welcome for a charge of £20 per dog per night. Guests can enjoy complimentary access to the gym and pool at nearby Herongate Club, or explore Hungerford itself for independent shops and friendly pubs.

We hope we've inspired you to bring the whole family - including the dog - on an adventure along the Great West Way. Take a look at all the exciting things to see and do along the way and start planning your Great West Way journey today!