Finding the perfect pub that happens to be dog friendly is no easy feat. So with that in mind we’ve found 13 places you can enjoy lagers with your lab, Pims with the pug or beers with your Bichon Frise…
1. The Travellers Friend, Epping
The Travellers Friend in Epping is a family owned, locals pub with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Expect traditional pub food such as sticky ribs, scampi and chips, gourmet burgers and home cooked, honey roast ham with fried eggs. The bar stocks an impressive range of drinks from draught and bottled beers, real ales that are changed regularly, and a great selection of gins too! Dogs are always welcome provided they are well behaved both inside and outside the pub.
2. The Finchingfield Lion, Finchingfield
Renovated by new owners in late 2016 The Finchingfield Lion has been transformed into the perfect example of a countryside pub. With a fresh new look for the outside and in, as well as a complete overhaul of the garden; it’s a wonderful location for a relaxed drink or an evening meal. The menu consists of simple classics such as steak and Guinness pie, bangers and mash and scampi and chips all cooked superbly and very reasonably priced. Dogs are more than welcome to be in the pub and the garden but are not permitted to be in the restaurant.
3. The Victory, Mersea Island
Enjoying a stunning waterfront location, The Victory has beautiful views of the Blackwater Estuary and the North Sea. The menu features incredible seafood dishes using fish that are delivered daily from the Mersea Island Fresh Catch as well as a host of contemporary pub favourites and a Sunday roast that’s been hailed by locals as a real treat. Just ten minutes from the centre of West Mersea, The Victory is an ideal stop off after a casual stroll or island exploring – and Fido’s welcome too!
4. Forester’s Arms, Loughton
Tucked away in Loughton, The Forester’s Arms can be found on top of Baldwin’s Hill with a fantastic outdoor seating area that has stunning landscape views and at the right time, breathtaking sunsets. With its quirky atmosphere and vintage décor this pub oozes character and the food is great too. Using the best seasonal ingredients and constantly working to keep the menu current, you’ll find plenty to choose from. What’s more, they also stock a huge selection of real ales.
5. The Queens Head, Maldon
Well known for its incredible riverside location and the stunning views that come with it, on a fine summer’s day you’ll be hard pressed to find a better place for a drink and a bite to eat than The Queens Head in Maldon. Sit back and take in the vistas whilst enjoying delicious fresh food, all cooked to order with your choice of local ale such as Adnams, Maldon Brewing Company and Darkstar.
6. The Olde Dog Inn, Brentwood
The Olde Dog in Herongate Tye, Brentwood is said to date back all the way to the 16th century and the evidence of this can be seen all over the inn from the low beamed ceilings to the rustic exposed fire places. As a family owned and run freehouse, The Olde Dog offers a huge variety of different beers and an ale collection that changes frequently. They even serve their very own “Olde Dog IPA”. Dogs are always welcome in the pub but must be kept to a special section that is known affectionately as the ‘The Dog House’.
7. The Owl, Loughton
The Owl in High Beech, Loughton is the perfect destination for foodies. The food served caters to all tastes, featuring fresh baked pizza, juicy steaks, and mouth watering, traditional Sunday roasts. All of this delicious food can, and should be, washed down with a pint of the pub’s many traditional ales. Not only is The Owl ideal for families, the dog will love it there too. The huge beer garden with its incredible views gives them plenty of space to roam and they even have their very own doggy menu that’s full of delicious doggy treats they’ll love.
8. The Alma Inn, Harwich
Proudly serving the people of Harwich since the 1850s The Alma Inn offers contemporary British food often with an Iberian twist. Tuck into fresh lobster, locally caught fish, oysters, crab and even a Spanish platter. Wine plays an important role at The Alma Inn and their selection on offer is extensive and picked to complement the food on the menu. They also have a large variety of craft beers, real ales and ciders to choose from all sourced from local areas.
9. The Anchor, Danbury
The Anchor in Danbury is a quintessential English countryside pub. Its rustic décor and low hanging, traditional wooden ceiling beams create a cosy, relaxing atmosphere perfect for a quiet drink in the evening. Outside, the spacious garden area is great for the kids to play and the abundance of flowers and greenery make it a wonderful spot to sit back in the sunshine. The food served is traditional pub fare, comforting classics that we all know and love – they even offer a delightful Afternoon Tea every Friday and Saturday.
10. The White Hart Inn, Margaretting Tye
If you’re searching for somewhere to sit back and soak up the sun with a pint of real ale in hand, then look no further then The White Hart Inn in Margaretting Tye. The menu is mostly traditional pub grub but also features a lot of seasonal dishes too making use of the wealth of incredible produce that is available locally. For beer lovers there is even a summer beer festival with over 80 real ales, beers and ciders as well as gin, champagne and a hog roast.
11. The Old Windmill, South Hanningfield
It’s said that The Old Windmill in South Hanningfield has been serving food since 1799 and the current owners who purchased it in 2011 have gone to great lengths to preserve its historical character and charm. Ancient wooden beams, authentic wood burning fires and solid flagstone floors make for a wonderful atmosphere. In contrast to the historical setting is the food; modern and fresh, the menu is comprised of both British classics and more exotic flavours that you might be surprised to find in a countryside pub.
12. The Hoop, Stock
The Hoop dates back to around 1460 when it was originally used as three weavers’ cottages and it was converted into an ale house roughly 100 years after that. Today, the pub is a handsome, traditional gastro pub with timber frames throughout and charming brick fireplaces that are lit during winter months. The food at The Hoop is fresh and homecooked such as battered cod, toad in the hole or pie and mash.
13. Lobster Smack, Canvey Island
This classic seaside pub on Canvey Island is great whatever the weather. Guests can take in the sea air on a sunny day or escape the chill by the fireside in the “Drifter Bar” upstairs. The Lobster Smack is teeming with history; literature fans may even recognise that it gets a mention in the Charles Dickens classic Great Expectations. With a variety of foodie themed nights there’s plenty of reason to eat there with, burger nights every Wednesday, senior discounts on Tuesdays, ‘Fizz Friday’s’ and of course the roast dinners on Sunday.
(Bonus) 14. The Bull, Lower Langley Green
First established in 1780, The Bull in Langley is a charming country house with a warm and welcoming locals pub atmosphere. The food on offer is traditional home cooked classics such as jacket potatoes, scampi and slow roasted gammon ham. They also serve mouth watering wood fired sourdough pizzas from the Bonne Fire Box Van that’s parked on site, perfect for dinner on Friday with a cold pint of ale!
