Doggy friendly places to stay

The Wild Rabbit, Kingham, Oxfordshire, Cotswolds

Well our staycation planning for next year is in full waggy tail mode. It is November after all and we all need a paw-me-up when the nights get dark.  Last summer we went on a road trip to the Cotswolds.

It was our last staycation before the little rascal (my dog brother Dexter) arrived. After being in the car for what felt paw-ever, I’d never been happier to see the countryside, or to receive the furiendliest welcome at my new home for the weekend – The Wild Rabbit, Kingham.

The Little Rascal aka my little brother Dexter

Us doggies felt like Corgi royalty when shown to our room at The Wild Rabbit, which, complete with a dog bed, water bowl and treats, made us furlegged ones feel as important as the humans.

The doggy friendly ‘Mole Room’ at The Wild Rabbit

It was exceptionally hot during the height of summer in 2018 for us doggies, with only panting and sweating through our paws to cool down, the lack of air conditioned rooms, meant the nights were a little more uncomfortable for us larger dog breeds.

The hot summer nights of July 2018

Next time the humans said we’ll stay in a one of the new doggy friendly cottages at The Wild Rabbit, which will be much more relaxing for everyone. Being a fur-legged friend, we like to guard our territory and our humans. So a room next to the entrance meant we tended to welcome too many guests with a good strong bark! Much to our pawrents annoyance in the early hours!

Adventures from The Wild Rabbit to find Daylesford Organic Farm
Daylesford Organic Farm map featuring The Wild Rabbit, Kingham

Early Saturday morning we headed off on a pawventure to find Daylesford Organic Farm. We sniffed our way through the village onto a country farm track and then I was off, roaming my new streets, smelling what had crossed these tracks before me. We passed the market garden, then buildings labelled the ‘kitchens’ and finally stumbled across a herd of cows. They were on the moo-ve, heading out for the morning into the grassy fields. Fur-tunately they were behind a gate, or we’d have been taken out into the pasture with them. It was the pawfect walk discovering our new stomping ground.

Daylesford Organic Farm cows on the moo-ve

Eventually the trail leads you to Daylesford Organic Farm shop and cottages.

Checking our the cottages at Daylesford Organic Farm
Daylesford Organic farm walk

After an hour or so, back at the Wild Rabbit we ventured into the bar.  Everypawdy knows that a good bar is always rated by its doggy treats, and this bar gets several waggy tails and the biscuits are wooftastic. Dogs are allowed on the terraces and in the bar where the snug just feels like home.

The Wild Rabbit front terrace

The Wild Rabbit terrace by night

Of course, we indulged in the Wild Rabbit breakfast (daily).  The highlight of my mornings was my greeting from Leslie.  She was a super friendly dog lover, I think she was French, and had dogs back in her home nation.  You could tell she just loved us four-legged creatures.

Probably the best modern British inn breakfast in the world!

Hunting for rabbits

On Saturday evening I got to try RABBIT!! Oh my dogness. Yep – the place lives up to its name.  Not only does it have rabbits attached to the walls, but it serves a very DROOLICIOUS wild rabbit…slobber…slobber…

The Wild Rabbit bar dog treats…re-BARK-able!
Dinner in the bar at The Wild Rabbit
Rabbit at The Wild Rabbit

We ventured back to Daylesford the following day, heading to the farm shop.

Farm shop at Daylesford Organic Farm
The cheese room at Daylesford Organic Farm
Artisan hand crafted breads at Daylesford Organic Farm

The flower workshop at Daylesford Organic Farm
The home store at Daylesford Farm

This place even has a thing called a Doggy Park – woohoo – playtime.  There was a black dog like me there already.  I was pawfectly polite. I introduced myself and gave the doogy play bow, enquiring ‘do you want to play’? – but I got nothing.  A stoney silence, no waggy tail… not even one hair moved. HOW RUDE I thought!!!  Turns out it was a statue and the dog park is a place for us dogs to wait for our HUMANS whilst they popped to the shop for some retail therapy and not a park to play in – Oh well!

The dog park at Daylesford Organic Farm
Playtime
ReTAIL therapy

Appawrently there is a wonderful wellness retreat on the premises that the pawrents were raving about…maybe by next year the Bamford Haybarn will have added a dog spa…now would that be a dog treat!

The Haybarn Spa at Daylesford Organic Farm
Bamford Haybarn Wellness Retreat
Treatment rooms at The Haybarn

Bamford products at The Haybarn

What an adventure, I’m pawstively sure I’d like to return.

I think i’ve caught the bug for The Wild Rabbit …

Dylan

Doggy friendly places to eat & drink, Doggy friendly places to stay

The Boat House, Rothiemurchas, Highlands of Scotland

Nestled in the highlands of Scotland lies the ultiMUTT holiday location and PAWsible the best place we’re ever sniffed.

After 7 hours in the car, leaving Yorkshire at breakfast time, we finally pulled into Rothiemurchus, hidden just behind Aviemore, on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Our bellies rumbling, we’d left Yorkshire at breakfast time, but this was no time for hunger. It was time to explore – a wood and the River Spey all on the doorstep – is this place is FUR’REAL.

The grounds of the Boat House

Then, whilst checking out the garden, we met another family that were staying on the estate. Marsli and her hairy Highland Cow crew. They we’re having a stomping time at the other side of our garden with their new babies.

Meeting Marsli the highland cow!

After some time exploring the grounds, sniffing out where the pheasants and deer had been the night before, we discovered the Boat House – one of the most PAWtastic places I’ve ever wagged.

The Boat House, Rothiemurchus

We met our hosts Amy and James, dog mad humans, the best type. ApPAWrently, I got a little too excited, embarrassing the humans by jumping up at the back door demanding to be let in to meet the visitors, and then jumping all over Amy. Everyone was singing ‘who let the dogs out!’ in their heads. They gracefully said we were adorable. Next time, YES…the humans said they’re will be a next time, we’re not allowed to meet anyPAWdy until we’ve settled down.

Come on in … welcome to our new home everyPAWdy.

The house was as exciting to discover inside as the outside setting. Lots of rooms and doors hiding new smells and comfy dog snoozing floors. Dog rules applied, as they do at home – no upstairs snooping or snoozing, and no sneaking on the sofas. But with such cosy and fluffy rugs who need a sofa! Dexter fell in LOVE with the rug in the snug.

Introducing the new Laird’s of Rothiemurchus!

Here is a sneaky peek of some of the rooms us dogs missed!

Ground floor bedroom
Ground floor view
Upstairs bedroom
Upstairs en-suite
Master bedroom
Upstairs bathroom

The ‘Chill Out’ room is unreal for a night in with PETflix. The PAWrents said it’s like having your own personal cinema. OBVs we’ve never been to the cinema – they’re not dog friendly, but this place certainly is, and we love it.

In the four days we spent at the Boat House, we sniffed out new places around the estate which has been with the Grant family for over 450 years! So many places and walks to explore.

Exploring Rothiemurchus Estate

On the boundary of the estate we discovered Inshriach Forest and Glenmore Forest Park. On our next trip we’re going to visit the beach at Loch Morlich. The beach is our favourite place to play. This time we hit Nairn beach, overlooking the Black Isle, whilst checking up on the grandPAWrent.

Back at Rothiemurchus estate, we discovered it hosts a Farm Shop with their own craft butcher. We tasted some delights at The Druie café restaurant before popping into the gift shop for some reTAIL therapy. It’s PAW liking good, and extremely PAWpular.

It’s imPAWsible to beat the tranquillity of the Boat House, it’s one of those places that gives you PAWspective and a new leash of life. So much so, I refused to get in the car when it was time to go home.

Dylan it’s home time, get in.

The PAWrents talked about taking how great it would be to spend a month at the house reading all the books. To us, Rothiemurchus is the real crown jewel of Scotland. BUT please don’t tell anyPAWdy about this special place – let’s just keep it our little secret.

We hope we be FURiends FURever with the clan at the Rothiemurchus Estate.

Be sure to say ‘hello’ from us when you visit.

Have you ever visited the area? Share your stories below.

Check out Rothimurchus http://www.rothiemurchus.net and the Boat House http://www.theboathouse.rothiemurchus.net

 

Dylan

 

Dog walks in Yorkshire

Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire Moors National Park

This place is BARKING! It’s 8000 acres of wooftastic woods! Filled with lots of humans walking, cycling and playing with their canine family members – it’s just bow wow WOW! No wonder it’s called ‘The Great Yorkshire Forest’.

After a couple of hours car journey, our road trip took us into the fun filled forest – the home to Go Ape (where humans monkey around and hang from trees!). I told you this place is barking!

Oh what’s all this then? There are people hanging from trees out there!!!

The smell of BBQ’s and tasty treats from various picnics is tempting but I remained on my best behavior! Well at least I was when it came to food – but I did try to steal a ball from a possessive Staffy.  This was not such a great idea! Luckily our pawrents got to us before I got to the ball! I think he may have played a bit RUFF for me being a big softy.  Would serve me right for trying to steal his ball!!

Extreme – I’m not sure i’m qualified for this run!

We swiftly took one of the 12 trails – the Adderstone Rigg Walk. Wandering deep into the woods, even deeper once I saw a rabbit! Unfortunately, it outsmarted me. As I ran off the path down the hill into the woods the rabbit did a sneaky U-turn and ran across the path up into the opposite woods! After ten minutes of circling the scent I was beat (pant, pant, pant…)!

I can smell a rabbit!

Luckily, I wasn’t near a cycle track whilst chasing the rabbit – those humans on bikes can cover ground quickly.  I even saw one dog trailing the family. They looked like a pack of hounds chasing each other through the woods.  It looked WOOFTASTIC! I’m thinking of becoming a mountain bike dog myself! Training with papa begins soon …

Checking out the track!
Dog in training!

The only caution with this walk is there are lots of people on bikes but if you can avoid them and not fall under a wheel its PAWSOME! With the exception of the bikes I’d grade it a number 1 walk from my guide below.

Happy walking…..

(waggy waggy)

Dylan 

Dog walks in Yorkshire

Kirkby Overblow to Sicklinghall, North Yorkshire

I’m in dog roaming heaven, weaving my way through a magical bridleway, lined by stone dike walls and big rustling trees.  We pass an old Yorkshire farmhouse where the path is followed by a parallel stream – I just LOVE a bit of water.

We carry on through a gate into a large plain where I get a sniff of a rabbit, and a whiff of pheasant – its all too STIMULATING for my senses – no dried kibble in sight!  I begin to run, tracking my prey, following a scent trailing though the long grass, then SUDDENLY a pheasant takes off in front of me…I LEAP to catch it but my butt is too heavy to fly!!! I go in for the chase but its over before it began, the pheasants taken OFF and it’s out of here!

 

You looking at me!

As I emerge from the grass I see some sheep and they have lambs too – I’m excited!! But I know the drill, lambing season means I’m back on the lead. Attempting my best behavior as I don’t want to scare anyone. I’m a friendly sort. A little bit too friendly for sheep so my pawrents say – I intimidate them with my extremely waggy tail and my passion to bounce a bit like Tigger from Winne the Pooh, and Tigger ‘likes to bounce’.  They can’t understand I just want to play.

Dog walks
hello horses – are those fly masks keeping the flies at bay?

Past some woods we meet some friendly horses in a field before turning down a track leading onto the main road into Sicklinghall. At the end of the walk there is a charming 17th century watering hole, The Scotts Arms.  And yes, dogs can drink here too. I asked my pawrents for a pint but apparently I’m underage!! Off to the dog watering bowl I go.

After catching a few rays in the beer garden and topping up the vitamin D we take the same route back to Kirkby Overblow. With an array of Yorkshire stone-built houses, a village green and a parish church – these picture postcard villages are delight, to wonder through.

Dog walks
Mud bath!

Much to my overwhelming delight, there are several small streams on the route and many of them allow for us dogs to get really really muddy!!! I’d recommend saving the mud bath for the way home!

Happy walking!

Dylan

Doggy friendly places to eat & drink

‘The Kitchen’, Harrogate

Last Saturday I discovered a new gem of a place to visit in Harrogate.   We’d driven passed this unassuming pretty looking café on a few occasions, but never had a reason to visit. It wasn’t on one of our normal walking routes. Well how wrong we were not to have stopped at this watering hole sooner, and how we’ve been missing out.

Dog friendly cafes
So we were invited for a Saturday morning coffee, which turned out to be morning coffee and lunch. Hanging out with hoomans is a hobby of mine – one which I thoroughly enjoy. Sometimes I prefer their company to dogs! I’m also becoming accustomed to hanging out in dog friendly cafés. You know the ones that welcome you with a smile and a ‘hello doggy’.

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Doggy Bar at The Kitchen, Otley Road, Harrogate

Doggy treats on a plate
A lot of places have upped their game by putting out a dog bowl and ensuring it has fresh clean water throughout the day. Well the Kitchen has set a new level. I got served my own plate of dog treats ‘here you go sir, I hope you’re allowed these’. Sold – The Kitchen is my new favourite haunt. You just can’t beat that kind of 5 star service. Oh but you can – despite taking up a lot more room than a little doggy, the staff and other guests were just so nice to be and many came over to say hello. Including a little girl who had the most beautiful curly hair and a stuffed cat called Jess. Other doggies came and went, so it seems to be a well-known place for dogs in the know.

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Gravy bones at The Kitchen, Otley Road, Harrogate

Child friendly lunch stop
It’s baby friendly too. My bestie Harry was throwing me some scraps of his lunch, not his gently warmed beans though – that would have been messy!

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My bestie, little Harry.

It appears the coffee and lunch dishes were delicious but I can’t vouch for that – there were no leftovers to try and steal. The bacon did smell delicious. I hear that we’re going back soon to try the homemade cakes and boy did they look paw licking good.

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Mozzarella, pesto & tomato toasted sandwich

Family run café with quality produce
It’s a wonderfully cute, bright and airy family run business with top quality food. Check out their insta account https://www.instagram.com/thekitchenht for some mouth-watering images of their creations from their small but perfectly formed menu, with interesting on trend dishes to compliment all-day staples such as the bacon sandwich.

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The Kitchen, Otley Road, Harrogate
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Dog walks at Harlow Carr Woods, Harrogate

Local walks
Its located on Otley Road between Harlow Carr and Valley Gardens, so plenty of places to work off those gravy bones. We took a stroll to Valley Gardens and then through the woods towards Harlow Carr. Its dog walking heaven there, I get to run around and explore off the lead.

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Found myself a new pad at Harlow Carr Woods, Harrogate.

Dylan 

Dog walks in Yorkshire

Harewood Estate, Harewood, North Yorkshire

Take a walk along Church Lane at Harewood and you’ll find yourself wondering into the grounds of Harewood House, one of Yorkshire’s finest stately homes. Built in the 18th century it’s meant to house an art collection that rivals the finest in Britain. Well, this is what I overheard my pawrents discussing and when they’d next visit. We didn’t venture into the house but we did walk around some of estates 700 acres. It includes 100 acres of gardens. Can you believe it? If only my own garden was a fraction of that size. Check out more on their website www.harewood.org

Harewood

On our walk around the estate we passed a herd of deer, such beautiful creatures. I was outnumbered significantly so I politely watched them play from afar rather than joining in on a game of tig (aka tag).

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We ventured on down the hill through the woods passing lots of other furry and non-furry friends and their siblings. It was very interesting to see other families out and about. Some young ones were learning to ride their bikes.

A word of warning there are some grids. Apparently these are to stop cattle roaming out of the grounds. Be warned that these are not easy to jump. My advise is to listen to your pawrents who recommend to follow them through the gates at the side of the cattle grids that way you don’t get hurt or stuck right in the middle. Although it mostly bruises your pride!

Harewood 2

A very scenic walk but it’s not exactly roaming heaven.  It’s more of an on the lead walk – see my dog walking guide below. There was a small amount of private traffic on the ground, and lots of families as well as other dogs both on and off leads. Most did not venture far from their masters side. I haven’t learnt that skill just yet!

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Dylan

Paw Print

Dog walks in Yorkshire

Ripley Castle, Ripley, North Yorkshire

Ripley is a wonderful historic little village on the outskirts of Harrogate, home to the picturesque Ripley Castle – a 14th century country house. The village of Ripley boasts a famous ice cream store, as well Chantry House Gallery with a reputation for being one of the most interesting and affordable art galleries in North Yorkshire. Unfortunately I didn’t get to visit either, or take a guided tour of the castle but I did visit it’s website to see what I might be missing www.ripleycastle.co.uk

Instead I wondered down Hollybank Lane into the grounds behind the castle. A pathway that leads onto a number of walks taking you to Bedlam, Clint Bank, Hampswaite & Burt Yates.

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On route I was very tempted to take a plunge in the Castle pool but it turns out it’s a feature waterfall and not a swimming area for dogs!

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It’s a thoroughly enjoyable walk; quite busy at times on the main pathway, other dogs taking out their pawrents and hooman siblings.

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It’s well worth a visit. I’d class this as a popular dog walking area – see my dog walking guide below.

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I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve been on this walk and hear which path you took?

Dylan

Paw Print