Warwickshire has a good spread of pubs carrying CAMRA’s “Dog Friendly” tag, plus a few cafés where the landowner states dogs are welcome. The tag rarely says which rooms dogs can use, and we only sampled CAMRA’s listings rather than sweeping every pub, so a quick call is sensible before you go.
Leamington Spa and Warwick
In Leamington, the Greyhound (Kennedy Square), Micro Pug (Clemens Street) and the pub listed as Bedford Street (4 Bedford Street, so confirm its trading name) carry the tag. In Warwick, the New Bowling Green on St Nicholas Church Street is tagged, though the listing didn’t show whether it is currently open. Several other Warwick pubs that once appeared in listings, including the Punch Bowl, Avon Tavern, Jolly Miller and Dun Cow, have closed.
Stratford-upon-Avon, Rugby and Kenilworth
In Stratford, the Dirty Duck on Waterside, the Coach House on Rother Street (dogs under control and on a lead in designated areas) and the Red Lion on Warwick Road (CAMRA notes dog-friendly areas and a dedicated dog menu) are tagged. In Rugby, the Bull, the Rugby Hotel and the Rugby Tap micropub are tagged, along with the Stag & Pheasant at Hillmorton. In Kenilworth, the Lion, Royal Oak, Clarendon Arms and Green Man all carry the tag. The Hare & Hounds Inn is listed under Nuneaton with a CV10 postcode; check the address before you go. The Town Talk in Nuneaton is tagged but has closed.
Cafés, estates and castles
At Ryton Pools Country Park, Warwickshire County Council says well-behaved dogs are welcome inside the Farmers Fayre café. It is right next to Coventry. At Charlecote Park (National Trust), well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome indoors in the Wood Yard Café and Orangery. At Packwood House, dogs on leads can use the café terrace, but the gardens and house are assistance dogs only. At Kenilworth Castle (English Heritage), dogs on leads are allowed, but the page is silent on the tearoom. Warwick Castle says it doesn’t allow pets at the castle or grounds, and Baddesley Clinton allows only assistance dogs in its garden, house and restaurant.
Leads and gaps
A 2017 Leamington Observer article described Chiens et Café in Warwick as a dog café, but it is nearly ten years old, so confirm it still trades. OpenTable and other aggregator lists name Fleur de Lys in Henley-in-Arden and Herd at Todenham Manor Farm, with no stated dog policy. We couldn’t confirm Coughton Court (now run by the Throckmorton family rather than the National Trust), Stratford canal-side cafés, or any pub in Bedworth, Atherstone, Alcester, Shipston, Southam or Coleshill. That is a limit of our sample, not proof.
Busy pubs can overwhelm a nervier dog. A calming bite before you set off can help take the edge off, and if the nerves run deeper, that is a conversation for your vet. For everything else, see our Warwickshire dog services hub, and for somewhere to walk before lunch, our best local dog walks in Warwickshire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Stratford-upon-Avon pubs allow dogs?
CAMRA tags the Dirty Duck, the Coach House and the Red Lion as dog friendly. Ring ahead to check which areas dogs can use.
Can I take my dog to Warwick Castle?
Warwick Castle’s help centre says it does not allow pets at the castle or grounds. Assistance dogs are the exception.
Are dogs allowed in the café at Charlecote Park?
Yes. The National Trust says well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome indoors in the Wood Yard Café and the Orangery.
Written by Georgiana & Figo, who has opinions on every pub’s dog bowl.
