The Feathers, Holt

Perfect for hounds who like a run in the countryside and a sniff around town, pop into The Feathers after a mooch around Holt’s indie shops – lots of which are dog-friendly. Treat them to a snack from its dog menu – there’s everything from sausages and pig’s ears to posh pooch ‘wine’ – to keep them busy while you dig into dinner. Well-behaved pups have free rein at the pub, and those staying overnight can expect a comfy bed, water bowl and towel to make them feel right at home.

Walkies: Set out on a 2.7-mile round route from the pub into Sprout Hills, passing a pond, crossing a stream and covering fields and woodland, before nipping past Letheringsett Watermill. You’ll be back unwinding in The Feathers’ bar in about an hour.

Wells Beach Café, Wells

Bertie's Bark Up Bar at Wells Beach Cafe

Dogs are the guests of honour at this pretty beachside café – order them a puppuccino or doggy-ice cream and stock up on treats before getting a pic by Bertie’s Bark Up self-serve (water) bar. If it’s warm enough, nab a picnic bench for prime coffee-coiffing seats, or hole up inside by the fire if the weather’s blustery. Keep an eye on their socials for the occasional doggo meet-up, too.

Walkies: It’s a stone’s throw from the sandy beach (there are some dog restrictions in place – look out for signs), but to explore the seaside town in full, head out on the Wells be ach and pinewoods route. Taking in the harbour, dunes and woods, it’s about five miles (for a shorter romp you can cut out the woods) and mostly flat.

The Crown Inn, Pulham Market

Dog in front of fireplace at The Crown Inn Pulham

The Crown is popular with dog owners for a reason – four-legged friends are always welcome in the bar (the Reading Room restaurant is a no-go zone, though), with a special menu featuring treats like pig’s ears, roast dinners, desserts and even bottom-sniffer beer. The dog-loving team there is sure to give pups a fuss too!

Walkies: Pulham Market is on the Boudicca Way, so you can pick a stretch and get marching. Or take on the Workhouse Walk, a five and a half mile route with a car park at the start which passes through fields (keep dogs on leads through farmland) and takes in the site of the town’s former workhouse.

Centre Paws, Wymondham

A one-stop shop for dog paw-rents, Centre Paws reckons it might be the most dog-friendly place in the UK. Take the pooch for a trim at the groomer, get them Crufts ready with an agility sesh, let them run wild in one of the enclosed dog fields or give them a dip in the doggie pool – don’t miss the group walks, either. When the pack is flagging, head to The Farm Café – pups can snooze under the table while you grab lunch. If you’re the camping sort, pitch up and spend a few nights under canvas.

Walkies: As well as stretching their legs on the social field (for friendly pups only!), set out on the farm walk – wander all the way to Centre Paws from Wymondham (follow the paw print signs starting at Deep Lane) without setting foot near a road.

The Wiveton Bell, Wiveton

Any discerning mutt will leave The Wiveton Bell with a wagging tail – there’s dog beds, treats, water bowls and tennis balls to keep them happy, as well as a special menu for pooches (it’s owned by the same group as The Feathers). Four-legged friends are welcome throughout – take your pick from a cosy spot inside, tables at the front or the cool teepee out back. All bar one of its rooms are dog-friendly if you’re making a weekend of it, and the gang are primed and prepped with tips for the best local dog walks.

Walkies: The Wiveton Downs nature reserve has an old quarry and woodland to tire out even the most lively of pups – start from the car park off Bazzy Lane and follow the footpaths. When you’re ready for a sit down, head north east into the village and back to the pub.

The White Hart Hotel, Hingham

We know what you are thinking: don’t leave that roast untended for too long or it’ll get swiped by one of the canine customers. But dogs don’t go hungry here. A quintessentially Norfolk country pub, The White Hart is big on giving our furry friends and their humans a warm welcome. There’s a special doggy dinners menu – approved by resident pooches Marley and Rocky – including meatloaf and veggies and two chopped sausages. Dogs are welcome anywhere downstairs and in four of the five bedrooms – there’s even paw oil ointment and doggie towels for overnight guests.

Walkies: Zip over to nearby Wymondham for the abbey to waterfall loop walk – it’s about 3.5 miles (factor in about an hour and a half), but accessible whatever your fitness level.

The Lifeboat Inn, Thornham

North Norfolk is brimming with top-tier dog walks, so it’s no wonder its pubs are ready to bend over backwards for pups. The Lifeboat Inn in dreamy Thornham is no exception – dogs can get the zoomies on the dog-friendly beach before dozing off by the fire as you tuck into its rib-sticking good pub fare. Too relaxed to drive home? Book one of its rooms for the night – well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Walkies: There are 2.5 or 3.5-mile routes which take in the marshes and coastline, as well as rest spots like Thornham Deli and Drove Orchards (spin by Eric’s Fish and Chips to tick all the beach day out boxes), which are both dog-friendly.

The Globe Inn, Wells

After a day spent scampering around Holkham beach, head back to The Globe for supper in the bar (there’s the same dog menu as at The Feathers) and then clamber upstairs to the dog-friendly bedrooms for some shut-eye. The next morning, launch your pup’s modelling career with some shots at their doggie beach hut. And don’t miss Yappy Hour – between 4pm and 5pm on certain dates (keep an eye on Instagram for the next one) get half price drinks (and a doggie goodie bag) when your pup is in tow.

Walkies: With such dreamy beaches on the doorstep, we’re staying local. Make a day of it and tackle the 6.8-mile Wells to Holkham round route (put aside about two and a half hours if you’re keeping breaks to a minimum). Pitstops include Wells Beach Café (above) and The Lookout.

Doggie Diner, Cromer

It’s fair to say doggos are the VIPs (very important pooches) here. There’s a hound menu which goes well beyond a few treats – think popcorn, marrow bones, chews and iced treats, as well as dog-friendly doughnuts, cookies, sausages and cupcakes. Order Fido a doggie afternoon tea for a bit of everything, alongside a glass of champaws, pawsecco or doggie beer. There’s even special birthday and gotcha day packages so you can celebrate their milestones in style. And for humans, we hear you ask? Hot drinks, hearty paninis, soups and sweet treats.

Walkies: Follow the clifftop path out of Cromer to reach some epic views at the top on the Happy Valley Circular Walk, which then meanders through Warren Woods. It’s about one and a half miles, but it’s easy to keep going if tails are still wagging.

The Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham

Hounds visiting The Dabbling Duck are guaranteed an excited welcome from resident dogs Doris and Daphne. Once they’ve found their spot, let them chew on the likes of cow’s ears and chicken feet to keep them out of trouble – and don’t forget to post a snap on the Friends of Doris board! Pups are welcome in the pub’s bedrooms and self-catering Duckling Cottage. For humans there’s a menu packed with great cooking (the pub was named the best in Norfolk in the National Pub and Bar Awards 2022) as well as pizza and tapas in its heated barn.

Walkies: Right in the heart of the countryside, there’s a lovely circular walk around the village of about four and a half miles. Passing woods, parks and fields, there’s plenty of spots with off-lead potential, but there are deers en route and a couple of stiles you’ll need to be able to lift them over.

The Black Horse, Norwich

This city pub is so dog-friendly that it even whips up special free doggy roast dinners on Sundays, so you can both tuck into a hearty helping of meat and two veg. Dogs are welcome throughout the pub, including in its huge garden and terrace, with treats and water bowls out and about. They can even make friends with pub pooch Dottie!

Walkies: Head up the road to Earlham Park, a dog-walking hotspot where you’ll find plenty of pups having a sniff and stretching their legs. The River Yare runs along one side of the park, perfect for a doggy paddle.

The Artisan Café, Alby

The gang at the Artisan Café love visits from our furry friends – after they’ve had their fill of cuddles, stock up on treats and make sure they’re hydrated at the doggie water station. Order woofins or – if it’s a special occasion – birthday cakes for them to devour while you have a catch-up! It’s home at Alby Crafts Centre, which is also dog friendly (keep them on leads) – is perfect for a spot of shopping after.

Walkies: Head up the road to nearby village Colby for the St Ethelberts church loop – it’s about 3.75 miles and is accessible, ending at the craft centre.

Fishermans Return, Winterton

Perched right on Winterton beach and with a special menu for hounds – including salmon, venison and boar chews, as well as sausages – it’s no wonder The Fishermans Return is a go-to for Norfolk dog owners. There’s always dog bowls ready to grab and a station to pour them a drink. Dogs are welcome to stay in its seven rooms, as well as its self-catering lodge Skippers Lodge.

Walkies: Loads to pick from around Winterton, from shorter strolls around the village to longer rambles taking in the likes of Martham Broad – your pup will be meeting new friends in no time.

Yappy meals! Dog-friendly pubs and cafés with lovely walks in Norfolk

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