Things To Do In Warwick With a Dog Including Pet-Friendly Pubs
Warwick is a picturesque and dog-friendly market town in Warwickshire in the West Midlands of England. It is best known for its castle, which is visible throughout the town centre. There are many dog-friendly places to eat out while visiting Warwick, including pubs, cafes and restaurants.
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On my visit, it was great to see all the historic buildings, gardens and pretty streets.
Is Warwick dog friendly?
Warwick town is a dog-friendly place to visit; however, the principal attraction, Warwick Castle, is not. There are parks with lots of people exercising their dogs. Quite a few pubs advertise as pet-friendly; thus, you have options for food or drinks out.
I visited the Chip Shack for a chippy lunch, and they advertised that they welcomed dogs in their courtyard. I noticed that Rowley’s Butcher’s shop had a water bowl for dogs.
Things to do In Warwick
Around the town, they have a handy map to help you find all the popular places of interest. You can book local tours and attractions on the Viator website.
See or Visit Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle is the town’s premier tourist attraction and very popular with visitors. The castle has over 1,000 years of history, dating back to the Norman Conquest. William the Conqueror originally built a wooden fort here in 1068, and over the years it grew into the magnificent stone building that is here today.
Warwick Castle is great to admire as you walk through the town. You can buy day tickets, tours and special events via GetYourGuide.
Sadly, pets are not permitted to visit Warwick Castle. However, many nearby hotels are dog-friendly, so you can visit while your dog sleeps.
Warwick Visitor Centre & Garden
On Jury Street is the Warwick Visitor Centre. This is the best place to visit for information and to find out more about the town. Visitors can pick up a map of the town here, which can prove valuable when exploring. The Visitor Information Centre calls a former courthouse home. They built this building in 1725, and it has some interesting features.
The Warwick Visitor Centre Garden is located at the rear of the building, accessible via an archway. There are flowerbeds and lots of benches to sit on, and you can see a turret of the castle from here.
The East Gate & St Peter’s Chapel
The East Gate is on the east of the town at the end of Jury Street. It is a medieval gate that was built in the 15th century. It is a unique gate because it has a chapel atop the archway.
They built St Peter’s Chapel here in the 15th century. Right next to it is a distinctive red phone box and pillbox. Also on the building is a granite water fountain.
St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church is a historical landmark, parish church and tourist attraction. Worship has been held on the site for over 1,000 years. It is one of the biggest churches in Britain. Roger de Newburgh, the Earl of Warwick, founded and built St Mary’s Church on its present site in 1123.
Walk The River Avon
You can walk either upstream or downstream on the River Avon and see a whole host of wildlife on the way. Walking upstream takes you towards Leamington Spa, a beautiful town. Heading downstream along the river eventually leads to the iconic town of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Kingfisher Pool is a fishing lake on the far bank of the Avon, with options for fishing in the well-stocked waters. Fish include skimmer bream, roach, and pike. The point where the River Leam and River Avon meet is quite picturesque. This is a short walk upstream from the castle.
Warwick Boats
Warwick Boats is a boat hire company on the River Avon accessible via St Nicholas Park. They have a range of boats for hire, from pedalos and electric motorboats to canoes and traditional rowing boats. They also offer courses in canoeing and kayaking. These boats are an excellent option to see the castle from the river. As a bonus, their electric boats are dog-friendly; however, your pet must sit on a blanket while onboard.
St Nicholas Park
The park is between the banks of the River Avon and St Nicholas’s Church. It offers fun things to do, as well as stunning views of the castle. It’s an open space for a dog walk; the only rule is no dogs in the play area.
There is an amusement park where children can enjoy small fairground rides or play mini golf. The park has a picnic area with several picnic tables.
St Nicholas Church
St Nicholas Church is a splendid building with an equally nice churchyard near the park. They rebuilt the current building in the 18th century on the site of a medieval church.
St John’s House
St John’s House Museum is a historic Jacobean mansion to the east of the town centre. The house is a museum and has had a history spanning almost 900 years.
Lord Leycester’s House
Lord Leycester House is one of my favourite buildings in the town. Over the centuries, famous visitors have admired the ancient buildings. This includes Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde and kings and queens.
Lord Leycester Hospital has over 700 years of history for visitors to experience and learn. They have a 500-year-old garden and a dog-friendly cafe inside; however, the museum isn’t.
West Gate
Next to Lord Leycester Hospital is the town’s Westgate, a rather interesting building. This is one of three main gates to Warwick, and it dates back to 1129. This gate has the chapel of St James above it and is very similar to the Eastgate at the far end of Jury Street.
Warwick Racecourse
The town has a big racecourse for horse racing. It is a popular spot for dog walking around the edges of the racetrack. They do not permit dogs in the Main Enclosure or Course Enclosure during events. That is, except for when they host a dog-friendly fixture.
The Randolph Turpin Statue
This is a statue to honour Randolph Adolphus Turpin, a local sporting legend. He was the Middleweight Boxing Champion of the World in 1951.
Market Hall Museum
The Market Hall Museum showcases the history of Warwickshire inside. However, the 17th-century building is also fascinating to look at from the outside while on a dog walk. In addition to a museum, it has a gift shop and a cafe.
Priory Park
Priory Park, near the train station, is a lovely place to wander or walk the dog; it features wildlife and views of Warwick. There are trail options in the park for walkies.
The Mill Garden
Mill Garden on Mill Street is a private garden next to Warwick Castle and the bank of the River Avon. The road leading to the garden is very fascinating, with historical timber-framed buildings and views of the castle.
The Old Shire Hall
Another thing to see is the Old Shire Hall on a street with other Georgian buildings. The Old Shire Hall is a Grade I-listed complex of buildings and is beautiful to see as you pass. It dates from 1758, when they constructed.
National Cycle Route 41
Route 41 is a long-distance cycle path that runs from Bristol to Rugby via Gloucester. In Warwick, you can join the route with shorter local bike rides to either Leamington Spa or Stratford-upon-Avon. The path through the town looks well maintained and clearly marked.
Walk along the Grand Union Canal
Exploring the Grand Union Canal in Warwick is an excellent activity with a dog. The Grand Union Canal connects Birmingham and London, passing through the town. One of the interesting features is the canal’s aqueduct over the River Avon, upstream of the town. The canal, as with most canals, is great for walking.
Visit Antique Shops
The town centre has a noticeable abundance of antique shops; thus, this is a great place for those who enjoy shopping for antiques.
Dog-Friendly Pubs, Cafes & Restaurants in Warwick
The Chip Shed
The Chip Shed was a great place for a takeaway chippy lunch. They are a chip shop that does takeaway, or they have a courtyard for diners to enjoy a meal. The courtyard area is dog-friendly too. I enjoyed a portion of battered sausage and chips, which was delicious.
The Castle Inn
A dog-friendly pub near the castle is the aptly named Castle Inn. This is a traditional British pub housed in a Tudor building with many original features. This includes Tudor beams and internal stained glass windows. In addition to the historic interior, they have a pleasant beer garden. The Castle Inn serves food and real ales.
The Old Post Office
Near Warwick Castle is The Old Post Office, which serves a variety of real ales and craft beers for you to enjoy. The Old Post Office is a dog-friendly place to visit for a drink or two. They have a nicely decorated, rather eclectic interior and some outdoor seating.
The Roebuck Inn
The Roebuck Inn dates from 1470, when it was a hostelry. Its exterior is beautiful, with black beams and white walls. They serve good food and drinks inside. Their bar area is dog-friendly; however, their restaurant area isn’t. The highlights of their menu are a sharing board, burgers and their Sunday roast.
The Old Coffee Tavern
The Old Coffee Tavern welcomes dogs in their bar area. They have a good selection of real ales and craft beers. Their food menu is fantastic, including their Sunday roasts.
Rose & Crown
The Rose & Crown is a dog-friendly place to stay, eat, or drink. They are in the market square, a short walk from the castle. You can find out about their pet-friendly rooms on Booking.com.
They have a good selection of drinks, including some good beer options. The Rose & Crown serves food all day, from breakfast to evening meals. They serve a hearty full English breakfast with black pudding and sourdough. Their main menu has some great options, including vegan burgers and posh steaks.
Places To Stay That Welcome Dogs, Including Hotels?
Warwick Castle is the centrepiece of the town. They have a glamping site in the castle grounds called Knight’s Village. Sadly, they are not dog-friendly. However, there are lots of options for places to stay nearby that welcome pets. This includes hotels, guest houses and holiday apartments. You can find these using the ‘pets allowed’ filter on Booking.com.
Travel To Warwick
I got to Warwick by train from Birmingham on a day trip while seeing a client for a quick work meeting. This is on the train line that joins Birmingham with London; thus, it is easy to reach by rail. You could also arrive by car; Warwick is near Junction 15 of the M40 motorway.
Is Warwick Worth Visiting With a Dog
Warwick is a nice place to visit, with plenty to see and do. The castle backdrop and historic buildings make it a lovely place to explore with a dog. Unfortunately, the main thing to do in Warwick, the castle, doesn’t allow dogs; however, there are plenty of things to see. There are lots of gardens around the town, most of which are immaculate. As a bonus, most local pubs and restaurants are dog-friendly.