The Cat's Back

When there's live music on the Cat's Back could be a little overwhelming for dogs, but at any other time a it's a rewarding experience.

The whole place feels very genuine.  There's always some interesting real ale on tap, most of it local.  An assortment of interesting furniture and a roaring coal fire ensure that the atmosphere is anything but sterile.  


It's cosy and welcoming in a way that so many places struggle to be in the era of the soulless gastropub makeover.

The food feels equally unfussy - it's all genuine pub food and the hearty roast on Sundays is generous and not too pretentious.

There always seem to be a few dogs around, making for a sociable environment that feels positively dog-friendly rather than just being dog-tolerant.  Hats off to the Cat's Back...


86-88 Point Pleasant, Wandsworth, London SW18 1PP


http://www.thecatsback.com/

The Elgin

The area around Ladbroke Grove Station feels unpromising for dog owners until you step into The Elgin. 


Another Geronimo Inn (see here and here), The Elgin does excellent pub food and dogs are welcome, no matter where you want to sit inside. Just be careful not to position yourself too close to the drum kit on live music nights!


The recent refurbishment is particularly sympathetic to our four-legged friends with warm carpeted areas proving a more attractive proposition than wooden flooring on cold blustery days.


And in the summer months the outside tables on both sides are excellent for people-watching.

96 Ladbroke Grove, London, W11 1PY http://www.geronimo-inns.co.uk/theelgin/

The King John Inn

There are many good things to say about this quiet spot on the Wiltshire/Dorset border.


Although not all of the rooms are dog friendly, as long as you let them know in advance, bringing a dog for an overnight stay shouldn't be a problem. 


A very cosy dog blanket and water bowl will be waiting for you on arrival, and the rooms are simply top-notch. The large comfy bed and enormous bath tub were memorable features on a wet and cold weekend.


The restaurant is 100% dog friendly and the wafts of delicious gamey dishes come out of the kitchen door with suitable regularity to make stopping at the bar for a quiet drink nigh-on impossible.


There's a roaring fire and ample space for dogs who like to stretch out on the floor.  Winos should note that the King John Inn has an excellent cellar, and a wine shop on site should you find anything so good that you want to take it home.


The surrounding area is great for walking with the rolling green hills of Cranborne Chase all around you and the bracing sea air of Lulworth Cove about half an hour away by car.


The King John Inn, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, SP5 5PS

http://www.kingjohninn.co.uk/

Snappy Snaps - King's Road

Whilst out and about we decided that we'd like to get some photos developed. Thinking that I'd probably have to leave the dog in the car I stuck my head around the door of Snappy Snaps in Chelsea and asked if we could both come in.  "Of course, but it'll cost you 20% extra" replied the owner with a wry smile, ushering us in.  


Clearly he was joking about the 20% but he was more than happy for us to both sit and use the digital printing machine and at no point were we made to feel like we were in the way of other customers on a busy Saturday afternoon.


It's a refreshing attitude - a sense of "why not" towards dog-owners that is rare on the high street.


We're not sure if this is Snappy Snaps policy, so will have to try out some other branches, but for the time being head for the Kings Road for dog-friendly photographic services.


170 King's Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4UP


http://www.snappysnaps.co.uk/stores/chelsea

Love and transportation

One of the main issues with including your dog in everything you do in life is that getting to places that are too far to walk to can be very problematic. 


Crowded tube carriages.  Hostile passengers who think that dog owners have less right to be there than them. 


Bus drivers who pretend that dogs aren't allowed on buses. 


Minicab drivers who insist that they are allergic to dogs and ask you to call someone else...as far as I'm aware pet allergies affect a relatively small proportion of people, and yet they all seem to have got jobs driving minicabs!  


And then there are those crafty cabbies who try to charge extra for transporting a dog. 


Aside from standing your ground on public transport (well behaved dogs don't really trouble anyone, right) the only service that Paws on the doors can honestly recommend is Addison Lee. It's always best to tell them that you're travelling with a dog when you book, and we've found that in 90% of cases the drivers make no fuss.


And because their cars are bigger than the average minicab, there's always room on the floor for a dog to sit comfortably and safely.


Good luck! 


http://www.addisonlee.com/

The Dock Kitchen

Set in a Victorian Wharf building beside the Regent's Canal the Dock Kitchen is a great eatery, and best of all it's dog friendly.


The building itself is beautifully restored - with the original iron rafters, wooden roof, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows.  On a wet Monday evening we rather enjoyed sitting in the warm watching the rain coming down on the other side of the glass.


The menu is exciting and different, and the wine list has something for everyone.  The service is attentive but not suffocating and the staff are thoughtful to the needs of dog-owners, seating us in a corner so that we didn't have to worry about Teasel tripping anyone up as she stretched out on the floor.  They were also quick to offer her a large earthenware bowl full of water to ensure that she didn't feel left out.


Had we not visited on a night of such inclement weather we would certainly have made use of the outdoor terrace which gets evening sun and has splendid urban views of West London.

Portobello Docks  344/342 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5BU http://www.dockkitchen.co.uk/

Chiswick House

Once the setting for Lord Burlington's summer parties, Chiswick House is now a wonderful spot for walkies.  The gardens were re-opened to the public in 2010 and are beautiful to visit at any time of year.  


A complete lap of the gardens reveals a great variety of trees and plant life and plenty of fun for dogs, including the chance to chase squirrels up trees (keep your dog on a lead if you think it's got a realistic chance of catching one).  


There are always other dogs about so it's not hard to find someone to enjoy a game with, as long as you don't stray into the "dogs on leads" area by the Italian Garden.


And once you're exhausted, the cafe's not bad either.  They serve excellent breakfast sandwiches and all the usual tea and cake that you might require later in the day.  


Burlington Lane, London, W4 2RP


http://www.chgt.org.uk/index.asp

The Chamberlayne

The Chamberlayne simply never has a bad day.


The food is excellent yet unpretentious.  


The service is fast but you never feel rushed.


They have a great sun-lit terrace for warm summer evenings.  When the glow of the sun has gone there are patio heaters to stop you feeling cold.


Inside there's interesting furniture and a good mix of upright seats for eating and sofas if you want something more laid-back.


Best of all they are unfalteringly kind to dogs, who are welcome everywhere except in the restaurant area directly in front of the kitchen.  But when you book a table you have the choice between sitting there and staying bar-side.  


Water comes in big bone-shaped bowls that tell you that they actively welcome dogs rather than just tolerating them.


After a day of dog-unfriendliness here and here we felt glad to return, once again, to the reliable old spot on Chamberlayne Road...

83 Chamberlayne Road  London, Greater London NW10 3ND http://www.thechamberlayne.com/

The Duke of Clarence

Sister pub to the East Hill (recently reviewed here http://bit.ly/Ki6GEY), the Duke of Clarence is another top spot for a long lunch.


They do a great Sunday roast and the mix of comfy seats and newspapers on hand guarantees that you'll be in no rush to leave.


Dogs are well looked after with water bowls and treats on hand.  And for dogs who like to watch sport on TV there are plenty of big screens, although some of them are perhaps a little high up for those of diminutive stature.


148 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London, SW5 0BE 


http://www.geronimo-inns.co.uk/thedukeofclarence/

The Wells

The Wells in Hampstead is an ideal stop after a long walk around the Heath.  


In winter (or on one of these joyous wet June afternoons that we seem to be enjoying in abundance at the moment) The Wells is cosy enough inside to fool you into thinking that there's an open fire, even though there isn't.


When summertime eventually comes you can sit outside and enjoy the fading sunshine.


The menu is excellent and, most excitingly, it features a selection of doggy snacks to keep everyone happy.  But there's no guarantee that your dog won't take an interest in your food too, particularly the chips...


The Wells, 30 Well Walk, London, NW3 1BX


http://www.thewellshampstead.co.uk/ 

Vagabond

There are many good things to say about Vagabond.  I'll get to the point:


1. They serve all sorts of wine by the glass and it's all jolly good. 


2. They serve great bread, olives, cold meat, and cheese to offset the wine.


3. The owners are very welcoming and love having dogs around.  There are tables in the sun outside and comfortable sofas scattered about inside with plenty of nice spots for dogs who like to laze around.


Just make sure that wagging tails don't knock over anything vintage...


18-22 Vanston Place, London, SW6 1AX


http://www.vagabondwines.co.uk/

p.s. At the moment Vagabond only stays open until 9, but once you've visited you'll surely be persuaded to sign the petition to extend their opening hours a little later.

The East Hill

The East Hill guarantees a warm welcome for dogs.  Despite the restaurant/pub split dogs are allowed anywhere and there's a big jar of treats behind the bar for hungry hounds.

The menu is good if you want to stay for lunch or supper and it's a relaxing place to be for dogs to spend a couple of hours, with rugs on the floor and plenty of good spots to cosy up in.  And on warmer days the outside terrace is a great sun trap.

The East Hill, 21 Alma Road, Wandsworth, London, SW18 1AA

http://www.geronimo-inns.co.uk/theeasthill/

The Fox and Grapes

After a recent makeover the Fox and Grapes has become less of a drinking pub and more of a restaurant, but without forgetting about folk who still want to come for a quick drink with their dog in tow.


Hidden away near Cannizaro Park, you wouldn't necessarily stumble across the Fox and Grapes, but once you get there you'll want to stay.  The atmosphere is warm and on cold winter days a heavy velvet curtain is drawn across the front door to keep the elements out.  Muddy wellies are no problem at all and dogs are always greeted with a bowl of water and even the occasional treat.


Great Uncle Bulgaria and Orinoco are often seen propping up the bar...


9 Camp Road, Wimbledon Common, London, SW19 4UN


http://www.foxandgrapeswimbledon.co.uk/