Following an epic pub crawl, one brand has revealed its line-up of pubs that will most welcome your canine pal
The Foresters Arms in Fordingbridge has earned the prestigious title of the Best Dog-Friendly Pub in Britain.
That’s according to Rover.com and its expert Public House Officer, who embarked on the ‘Great British Pub Crawl’ - meticulously reviewing more than 110 pubs across the country.
Leading the pack nationwide, The Foresters Arms in Fordingbridge stood out as a true pooch paradise. With a dedicated doggy menu, fresh water bowls and tasty treats, plus poo bags, a secure garden and cosy beds and blankets – this family-run spot is setting the gold standard for canine hospitality in the UK, making it the ulti-mutt destination for dogs and their people.
Also highly commended for their proactive pup-pleasing efforts were Jam Garden in Loughborough, East Midlands, and the Ferry Boat Inn, North Fambridge, East of England – helping to raise the bar-k for dog-friendly establishments across the UK.
Rover’s reviewer judged pubs on a range of factors, including their booking systems, pup accessibility, welcoming atmosphere, staff communication, canine facilities, pet safety, and the overall experience for their pooch – leaving no bone unturned.
BEST DOG-FRIENDLY PUB PER REGION
- South East – The Foresters Arms, Fordingbridge
- East Midlands – Jam Garden, Loughborough
- Scotland – The Tinsmith, Dundee
- Wales – The Blaina Wharf, Newport
- East of England – Ferry Boat Inn, North Fambridge
- West Midlands – Tom O’The Wood, Warwick
- Yorkshire – The Fox & Hounds, West Witton
- North East – George and Dragon, Yarm
- South West – The White Hart, Bishopstone
- North West – The Fairhaven, Lytham St Annes
- London – Prince of Wales, Elephant and Castle
With dog ownership on the rise, Rover’s new research shows these warm, waggy spaces could be key to keeping the UK’s pub culture alive - and the impact could be paws-itively huge. In fact, over a quarter (30%) of dog owners say they’d happily spend more if it meant their four-legged friend was by their side – an extra £4.26 per pint on average. Nearly half (45%) admit they’d go out more often if their pup could tag along, and 34% even confess that their dog enjoys the pub just as much as they do!
And it’s not just about spending – dogs also help make pubs more sociable. Six in ten pub-goers (61%) say spotting a dog in a pub has sparked a conversation with a stranger, while 78% agree pups boost the overall vibe. In fact, 65% even prefer the company of canines over kids when enjoying their local.
So, it’s no surprise therefore that three quarters of Brits (78%) say they’d love every pub to welcome dogs, yet despite the demand, almost a third (31%) still struggle to sniff out dog-friendly pubs.
Luke James, Rover’s Public House Officer comments: “Out of all the pubs we visited this summer, The Foresters Arms in Fordingbridge genuinely stood out. Pups were not just welcomed, but truly celebrated, with thoughtful touches that made everyone feel at home. It’s the kind of place we’d happily return to again and again – and our Yoshii absolutely loved it.”
Maddy Daniels, Landlady at the Foresters Arms adds: “We’re over the moon to be named the most dog-friendly pub in the UK. Dogs are such a big part of our community, and we love making sure every guest - on two legs or four - feels right at home. This award means the world to our team, and we can’t wait to welcome even more wagging tails through the door.”
For more suggestions of dog-friendly pubs across the UK, visit https://www.rover.com/uk/blog/dog-friendly-pubs/