Dog-Friendly London: Pubs, Walks & Transport Tips
In my experience, London is rather dog-friendly and a great place to visit with a pet. As with most cities, there are limitations on visiting inside tourist attractions. There are lots of options for pubs and restaurants that allow canine guests.
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London is blessed with lots of pleasant parks, which makes walking in the city fun. You can also enjoy sightseeing walks with dogs throughout the capital. Finding a pet-friendly place to stay in London is pretty straightforward on both Booking.com and Airbnb.
Dog-Friendly Pubs & Restaurants in London
My guide features places that welcome dogs for a drink or food in London. I have found that many places don’t advertise whether dogs are welcome on their websites, so it is usually worth asking or checking the about section of Google Maps. Wetherspoons is the main exception, as the chain does not allow pets.
Dog-Friendly Pubs Near Tower Hill and London Bridge
BrewDog Tower Hill
One of my favourite dog-friendly chains of pubs is BrewDog, and they have a big and nice place at Tower Hill. This is handy for dog walks near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. BrewDog in Tower Hill has outside seating with views and a nice big inside area. Dogs are welcome in both.
They have some amazing beer options. My go-to beer at BrewDog is the Lost Lager. BrewDog also serves delicious food, including tasty burger options. BrewDog has many other venues in the city; they have a handy feature to find the closest.
Hung Drawn & Quartered Pub
Near the Tower of London and Tower Bridge is the Hung, Drawn & Quartered. The Hung Drawn & Quartered is a dog-friendly pub that serves beer and food, too. They are an excellent place to stop for a drink while sightseeing in this part of the city or walking along the River Thames.
Beers available, including London Pride, Peroni and some other real ales. Their food menu covers a multitude of dishes, from madras curries to chicken and leek pies.
Traitors Gate Pub & Restaurant
Another pet-friendly place for a beer or food in Tower Hill is Traitor’s Gate Pub & Restaurant. Traitors Gate Pub & Restaurant is near Tower Hill tube station. The ground floor is a traditional pub with at-the-bar service. They have some nice draught beer options, and I enjoyed their Rivertown pilsner. You can also sit outside of the Traitors Gate Pub & Restaurant, which is a good option if it’s busy or hot.
The Barrowboy & Banker
The Barrowboy & Banker is a nice pub near Borough Market. It’s a good place for a beer, with some good options, including craft beers and real ales. The Barrowboy & Banker also serves food, including a wonderful selection of pies. As a bonus, they also serve Sunday roasts, one of Henry’s favourite meals out.
Dog-Friendly Places Near Trafalgar Square, Westminster and Soho
The Sherlock Holmes
A brief walk from Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross station is Sherlock Holmes. It is a traditional English pub with a unique twist. They have lots of Sherlock Holmes-themed memorabilia inside, which is a fun thing to see. The Sherlock Holmes pub also has a restaurant and rooftop garden.
St Stephen’s Tavern
In Parliament Square is St Stephen’s Tavern, a nice place with history and very close to the Houses of Parliament. You have some excellent views from their outside seating area. They have a cosy inside where dogs are allowed in certain areas. They have a good selection of drinks, including a house beer. For food, I recommend their full English, which I enjoyed before visiting the abbey.
Old Shades: Pub in Whitehall
In Whitehall, a short walk from Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey, is Old Shades, a pleasant pub. It has a lovely interior and dates from 1898; it is a Grade II listed building. The decor inside is nice and includes a tiled floor and wood panelling.
This is an archetypal British pub that serves real ale and other drinks. You can also dine out here. The menu includes traditional British food, such as steak and ale pie or fish and chips. They also serve a traditional Sunday roast each week.
The Old Star
Between St James’s Park Station and the park is The Old Star, a pretty cool pub that welcomes canine guests. They have an excellent selection of beers and cocktails. They also serve nice meals, including fish and chips or a hearty pie.
Bag O’Nails Near Buckingham Palace
A pleasant dog-friendly pub a short walk from Buckingham Palace is the Bag O’Nails. This historic pub dates back to 1775 and was famous for being a lively place back then. Dogs are allowed inside or to enjoy the beer garden. The Bag O’Nails has an excellent selection of beers to choose from, including lagers and real ales.
They also serve food. Their menu includes fish & chips, steak and ale pies and other tasty dishes. On Sunday, they also serve roast dinners, including beef, chicken, and a nut roast if you don’t want meat.
Dog-Friendly Pubs Near Temple, Strand and Fleet Street
The George in Temple
Just off the Strand near Temple Church is The George, a nice pub that serves food and welcomes dogs. They have a nice bar area on the ground floor, some outside seats, and a restaurant area upstairs. Their bar is nicely stocked and has some good real ales and pleasant beers.
The Cheshire Cheese
Near Temple Church and the Royal Courts of Justice is The Cheshire Cheese, a dog-friendly pub. They have an excellent selection of beers on tap, including Camden Hells. The Cheshire Cheese also has a selection of real ales, too.
The Old Bank of England
The Old Bank of England is a stunning pub on the Strand. The pub is in the former bank and has very nice decoration inside. They have an excellent drinks menu with cocktails, wines and beers centre stage. The Old Bank of England also serves food, including small plates for sharing and some excellent pies. They also have a beer garden to visit.
Dog-Friendly Places in Chelsea and Paddington
The Phoenix in Chelsea
If you like quirky, dog-friendly pubs, then The Phoenix in Chelsea is a lovely place to visit for a drink. It’s nicely decorated, with plenty to see, and has a comfy bar area to sit in. As a bonus, they also have outdoor seating. The Phoenix has a good range of drinks, including some nice lagers, including Camden Hells. I’ve visited a few times and found it quieter during the afternoon.
Polpo: An Italian Restaurant in Chelsea
In Duke of York Square in Chelsea is Polpo, an Italian restaurant that specialises in Venetian cuisine. They have delightful options on their menu, including pasta and fish dishes. Polpo in Chelsea has outdoor and indoor seating, both of which are dog-friendly.
Lord Wargrave: For barbecue food
The Lord Wargrave is a dog-friendly pub near Edgware Road, Marble Arch, and Baker Street tube stations. The eatery is a stone’s throw from Paddington mainline train station. The bar is popular, has indoor and outdoor seating and is very welcoming.
The Lord Wargrave specialises in slow-cooked barbecue food, including many options for ribs. For drinks, they have good beer and countless whisky options. The food here was a big draw for me. Their baby back pork ribs were very special.
But my top choice is the beef ribs. Their beef ribs were full of flavour and very meaty, heavenly for me. If you have an enormous appetite, they serve a platter of ribs. This is a superb choice. For a light lunch, the barbecue pulled pork or beef buns were very satisfying.
Dog-Friendly Pubs Near Liverpool Street, Spitalfields and Smithfield
Fox & Anchor
In the Farringdon area, near the famous Smithfield Market, is the Fox & Anchor. They are a pet-friendly hotel and pub that serves excellent food. I enjoyed my visit and found the quiet booths rather appealing. They also had some seating by the entrance, which was ideal on a nice day.
The Ten Bells
Opposite Spitalfields Market in East London is The Ten Bells, a pub we learned about at the Jack the Ripper Museum. The Ten Bells is an old-school pub that welcomes dogs. It has a central bar and nice decor, including decorative ceramics. They also serve pub favourites, including burgers, fish and chips, and some vegan options.
Railway Tavern
Just outside Liverpool St station is the Railway Tavern, owned by Greene King, a well-known dog-friendly chain. The Railway Tavern is a perfect place for a beer before and after a train. They have a good selection of beers available and a quiet terrace outside, which we enjoyed.
Dog-Friendly Public Transport in London
Getting around London is pretty straightforward using the underground, trains, walking, or buses. These transport options are dog-friendly, and there are no extra fees for pets. On public transport in the city, you must keep your dog on a lead or in a crate. Apparently, staff can ask you to leave if your dog is causing problems.
On the underground, you are required to carry your dog on escalators for their safety, a common rule throughout Europe. Buses are straightforward; however, I find it can be tricky on the narrow stairs on double-deckers.
Dog Walk Ideas
Some suggestions for sightseeing dog walks in London, including near major sites and in the city’s grand parks.
Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens
Hyde Park is one of the city’s famous parks and a top place for dog walks. The Royal Parks have rules for dogs.
Dogs are welcome in all the Royal Parks, although there are some places where they are not allowed or must be kept on a lead. These are clearly indicated within each park and are usually ecologically sensitive sites, deer parks, children’s play areas, restaurants, cafes and some sports areas.
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I found that the Serpentine is beautiful near the water, but give the birds, especially the swans, a wide berth.
Tower Bridge & Tower of London
The area around the Tower of London and Tower Bridge is excellent for dog walks, especially in the evenings or early mornings when it’s quieter. As a bonus, you can visit Tower Bridge with pets. There are a few pubs near the Tower where you can pop in with a dog, including Brewdog, Hung, Drawn and Quartered, and Traitor’s Gate.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a lovely place for a sightseeing dog walk. While on a walk, you can see lots of attractions and fantastic architecture, like Nelson’s Column.
River Lee Navigation
The River Lee Navigation is an ideal place for dog walks. It’s a scenic place with narrowboats, a canal and the Tottenham Marshes nearby. A few waterside cafes welcome canine guests or have outdoor seating.
Is London Worth Visiting for a Dog-Friendly Break?
London is one of Europe’s most dog-friendly major cities and a fantastic place for a city break. It’s straightforward to find pet-friendly places to stay and eat out. Compared with other cities, dogs can travel on trains and public transport for free.