For pooch or not for pooch - that is the question

I am often asked just how friendly we are - not in the "have a nice day" kind of friendly - no, far more important than that. 

Just exactly how dog friendly are we here in Northumberland?

Well, let me give you a little flavour of what is on offer and then you can decide for yourself.

Northumberland 

Beaches - renowned for them we are - lots and lots of them, all gorgeous, mainly lovely sand, usually deserted. 

Miles and Miles to Play

More than 30 miles of beautiful, Beagle friendly beaches and breathtaking scenery including an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and areas of Special Scientific Interest, Nature Reserves, wild bird breeding grounds and migration haunts.

Ross Beach

Psst. keep it to yourself but Ross is our favourite. 


Miles of sand where the seals come ashore to bask in the sun.  

Ross to Lindisfarne

We especially love setting up a BBQ in the dunes for breakfast and then run with the dogs while we watch the sun come up over Holy Island and Bamburgh. 

Budle Bay to Lindisfarne

Of course the water is award winningly clean. So splashing Springers can splurge and splidge until their Springer has sprunger.  

St. Aidan's Beach to Bamburgh

St. Aidan's is a lovely stretch from majestic Bamburgh to the little fishing village of  Seahouses. Lovely views to The Farne Islands - a really nice chase from one end to the other - and back!

Farne Puffins

If you fancy getting up close and personal with the seals, whales, dolphins, shags and puffins (and the many other wonderful birds that breed on the Farnes), then a canny canine catamaran cruise might be right up your street. 

Seal - Photo Courtesy of
Serenity Boats

Many boat companies allow pooches onto their trips, including Golden Gate, Serenity and Glad Tidings. 

With a different beach for every day of your stay, the sand and space is second to none - allowing for hours and hours of ball catching, frisby fetching frolicking for your Flat Coat Retrievers  - all year round. From Berwick to Amble, each little cove or huge stretch of beach has its own distinctive charm, some with amenities, some just with the weather. Maybe your Affenpinscher will ask to go to Alnmouth,  your Cavalier clambers for Cocklawburn, your Newfoundland needs Newton by the Sea, or you simply  want to wear out your Waimaraner in Warkworth. Northumberland will have a beach that is sure to be just right for you - whatever the weather, whatever your fancy.

And if your Vizslas enjoy a vista - well how about this? 

Majestic Bamburgh castle

Or This?  












OK -  think you get my driftwood - there are more castles in Northumberland than anywhere else in the UK.  

Breathtaking Clifftop Walk from
Craster to Dunstanburgh

Many of the county's countless castles are visible from the beach walks, and some allow dogs in the grounds but not always inside. 


Warkworth and Dunstanburgh both allows dogs on leads for example.  






And when you have had enough of the beach and castles, why not head inland to wander the National Park?   


Whether you want to challenge yourselves on the Cheviots, have a Game Of Thrones moment while hiking Hadrian's Wall, or even getting your head around the history and invention of Cragside, there are lots of interesting walks and diverse places to explore with pooch. 



Some places do not allow pooch inside but all of the places listed welcome dogs in the grounds.

Dog friendly Barter Books

And if you fancy resting weary legs, there are many other places that welcome dogs in Northumberland, including the world famous Barter Books.

When hunger hounds your Hovawart, there are many friendly bodacious bites to be wolfed down in pooch friendly eateries - all washed down with a big slurp of water from one of the many water bowls left out.  More and more bars and restaurants welcome our four legged family members, meaning they don't miss out on wall the fun.  The list ever grows, and this is current as of blogtime, but some of the most popular include The Bothy, at the Barn at Beal; The Crown and Anchor on Holy Island; The Joiners Arms, Newton by the Sea; Craster's The Jolly Fisherman; The Victoria Hotel in Bamburgh; The Black Swan, Seahouses; The Hope and Anchor, Alnmouth; Warkworth House Hotel, Warkworth; The Black Bull, Wooler; The Bamburgh Castle Inn, Seahouses; The Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel in Embleton; Berwick's 1 Sallyport; Beal's The Lindisfarne Inn; The Schooner in Alnmouth; The Ship Inn at Low Newton; The Apple Inn, Lucker; The Sun Inn, Alnmouth; The Lord Crewe, Bamburgh; The Ship Inn at Holy Island; The Shoreline Cafe, Craster; The Schooner Inn, Seahouses; Cafe Crema, Berwick; The LInks Hotel, Seahouses; The Dandelion Cafe, in Alnmouth; The Mason's Arms, Warkworth; The Anchor Inn, Wooler; The Craster Arms in Beadnell; The Pack Horse Inn, Ellingham; The Ocean Club, Seahouses; Tankerville Arms, Wooler; The Barrels Alehouse, Berwick; The Blink Bonny, Christon Bank;  The White Swan, Warenford; The Red Lion in Alnmouth; The Cottage Inn Hotel, Dunstan. Paws for thought though - please contact them before turning up to check they are still as woof welcoming, and that they have availability. Over and above this great choice, nearly every other eatery that has outdoor space also welcome pooches, and most offer water.  And if your little legs are too tired to walk there and back, Croft Cabs will even allow you to take pooch in the taxi with you if you pre-arrange it (07803496278).

If you want to visit somewhere that does not allow your Parsons or Poodles there are good doggie daycare facilities in Northumberland too - but you need your vaccination certificates. We use Tollfield Boarding Kennels in Belford (01668 213607), but there are others around the area - some charge by the day, some by the hour, so there is bound to be one that works best for your needs. 


And of course, you still need somewhere fabulous to stay.



Budle Bay Croft is Quality in Tourism awarded 5* and Pet Friendly (and Family, Walkers, Cyclists and Dark Sky Friendly for that matter too but we don't like to brag).  

 

What we do offer pooch are private enclosed gardens...

 

 ...toys, treats, towels, comfy bed and bowls.

There are acres of grounds to explore…

 

...and even a river to cool down in too. 





And importantly, no charge for dogs to holiday with us.  

So, please let us know your thoughts. Are we dog friendly? 

Fliss in the 

Budle Bay Croft Forest

Thanks to The English Springer Spaniel Club, The Kennel Club, Affenpinscher Club, Beagles UK, The Newfoundland Club, The Weimaraner Club of Great Britain, The Hovawart Club of Great Britain, the Hungarian Vizsla Society, Trip Advisor, The Evening Chronicle, National Trust, Northumberland Beaches, Visit Northumberland, The Good Dog Guide, Rover Recommended, Doggie Pubs, Tollfield Boarding Kennels and to all of the Northumbrian bars, cafes, restaurants and attractions that welcome our dogs!