West Sussex has plenty of dog-friendly pub gardens, especially around Chichester Harbour and the Downs, but we could verify only a handful from the pub’s own page or a CAMRA tag. A longer list from a tourism guide is below, clearly marked as secondary. Our sweep wasn’t exhaustive, so ring ahead if you’re making a special trip.
Pubs we could verify
In Bosham, the Berkeley Arms carries CAMRA’s Dog Friendly tag and is described as dog friendly inside and out, while the Anchor Bleu is tagged too but not on the rear patio or upstairs. The Black Rabbit at Offham, near Arundel, lists “Dog Friendly” among its facilities on the Hall & Woodhouse site, which has separate dog terms. The Black Jug in Horsham (Brunning & Price) welcomes well-behaved dogs on a lead away from the dining areas. The Hollist Arms at Lodsworth says “dogs welcome” on its homepage without detail.
More pubs from a tourism guide
The Great Sussex Way’s pub garden article (February 2026) answers “yes” to dogs for The Fox Goes Free at Charlton, the Crown & Anchor at Dell Quay, the Duke of Cumberland Arms at Henley, the Horse Guards Inn at Tillington, the Three Horseshoes at Elsted (on leads), the Royal Oak at Hooksway, the White Horse at Chilgrove, the Unicorn Inn at Heyshott, the Royal Oak in Midhurst, the Welldiggers Arms in Petworth and Langham Brewery Taproom at Lodsworth. It gives no detail on bar or garden, so treat these as strong leads and check the pub. Note the several Royal Oaks, and that the Horse Guards is in Tillington, not Petworth.
Cafés and gardens
At Wakehurst, Kew says dogs are welcome inside Seeds Café and in the outdoor seating at the Stables Pantry, while the Stables Kitchen is dog-free. At Nymans (National Trust), dogs can use the Welcome Café’s outdoor seating, up to two per adult, but the garden itself is closed to pet dogs in spring and summer and opens to them in winter at set times, so check the dates before visiting. At Knepp, dogs are welcome in the Wilding Kitchen, restaurant and shop.
Where dogs can’t go, and what we couldn’t confirm
Petworth House café allows only assistance dogs, indoors and out, and Leonardslee’s Clocktower Kitchen is guide dogs only. The Gribble Inn at Oving has closed. We couldn’t confirm the policy at Arundel Wetland Centre’s café or the West Wittering beach cafés, and we didn’t check Goodwood’s eateries, Worthing, Bognor or Climping beach cafés, Crawley, Burgess Hill or Steyning. A Worthing “dog-friendly eco café” mentioned in the Sussex Express and Horsham pubs such as the Dog & Bacon, Sussex Barn and Sussex Oak are unconfirmed leads. 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 West Sussex dog services hub, and for somewhere to walk before lunch, our best local dog walks in West Sussex.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed in the café at Petworth House?
No. The National Trust says only assistance dogs are allowed in the café, indoors or out. Dogs are welcome in the park.
Which Bosham pubs allow dogs?
CAMRA tags the Berkeley Arms and the Anchor Bleu as dog friendly, though the Anchor Bleu doesn’t allow dogs on the rear patio or upstairs.
Can dogs go in the café at Wakehurst?
Kew says dogs are welcome inside Seeds Café and in the Stables Pantry outdoor seating, but not in the Stables Kitchen.
Written by Georgiana & Figo, who has a soft spot for a pub garden with a harbour view.
