Dog-Friendly Oxford: Pubs, Walks & Things to Do

Oxford, the famous city in Oxfordshire, is pretty dog-friendly in terms of pubs, cafes and restaurants. The city is a beautiful place to visit, and there are lots of things to do, including sightseeing walks. My latest visit was for a day trip from Birmingham on the train with a dog. Thus, my trip to Oxford was one long dog walk with a few pubs thrown in to break up the day.

I have been to Oxford a few times before to see the main sights. However, this was my first visit with a dog in tow. The plan was to explore as much of the city as possible and get some photographs on the way.

Is Oxford Dog Friendly?

I found Oxford city to be a great day out with the dog. First, the architecture is striking and fun to explore. There are lots of open spaces to explore within the city limits, which is ideal for dog walking or a picnic.

I found many suitable pubs and bars to get a drink or dine out. These were all welcoming and had friendly vibes. I will return for an overnight stay so Henry can have a rest while I visit some of the beautiful buildings that don’t allow pets.

Dog-Friendly Pubs in Oxford City

These are some of the pubs and bars that I visited while on my visit with Henry. There are also options for pet-friendly restaurants and cafes in the city too.

The Kings Arms

The Kings Arms is a pub near to the Bodleian Library. It is a traditional boozer that also serves food. It is the oldest pub in the city, built in 1609. They have a nice interior that is dog-friendly, and they also have outside seating.

Their beer range was good, which included a refreshing Camden Hells, a perfect drink for a hot day. They also gave the dog some treats, which made his day.

The Cape of Good Hope

Just over Magdalen Bridge, near the Victorian Fountain in The Cape of Good Hope. They describe themselves as a gastropub; this is a great place to eat and drink. This was not on my initial plan.

However, on spotting the sign stating that dogs were welcome, I popped in for a quick cool down. They had a good range of beers to choose from, and the menu looked tasty too. The staff said hi to Henry and brought him a bowl of their finest water.

The Head of River

The Head of River is a pub I had visited before, near Christ Church and Folly Bridge. So, I had it in my mind to return because of its beer garden overlooking the River Thames. They were popular on my previous visit. However, their staff found us an outside table for a quick pint.

They had a comprehensive beer menu and were the only place I visited that served my current favourite wheat beer. I enjoyed my pint of Erdinger and views of the river here, and Henry enjoyed the fuss from the other guests and the water they brought over for him.

St Aldate’s Tavern

Near to Christ Church and the Town Hall is the delightful St Aldate’s Tavern. This is a lovely pub that is also dog-friendly. This is a traditional Victorian-era pub which was popular with people in suits and served great beers.

St Aldate’s Tavern had many options for real ale and many bottles to choose from. However, I enjoyed a refreshing Moretti. They also have a food menu with various homemade dishes, including small plates for sharing. St Aldate’s Tavern also serves Sunday roast each week.

The Royal Blenheim

A short walk from Christ Church is The Royal Blenheim. The Royal Blenheim is a 19th-century pub with an ornate tiled floor. They serve a good range of beers, including locally brewed beer. They also have a decent gin menu too, if that’s your thing. The Royal Blenheim is a dog-friendly place to enjoy some real ale.

The Plough at 38

A famous pub on Cornmarket Street is The Plough at 38. The Plough at 38 serves both drinks and food, including beers they brew. They specialise in local and seasonal food. The Plough at 38 has both indoor and outdoor seating, where dogs are welcome.

The Handle Bar

Another pet-friendly place in the centre is The Handle Bar. The cafe is in the oldest bike shop in the city. They are a top place for a meal out, including brunch and dinner. They serve a range of beers, including some from Oxford Brewery. Their food menu has many tasty options, including steak tacos.

Old Tom Pub

Another pet-friendly pub in the centre is The Old Tom. It’s an old-world English pub that is pleasant to visit. It’s also historic, and they have been serving beer since the 17th century. They have an excellent selection of food and, as a bonus, an interesting menu. They serve Thai food, which is delicious.

Cosy Club

Another pet-friendly option for dining out or drinks is Cosy Club. Their bar is in the city centre on Cornmarket St. Their bar area is the place to be if visiting with a pet; however, pets are not allowed in their restaurant dining room. Cosy Club is a nicely decorated place designed for comfort.

They have lots of drink options, including a good selection of beers. Their food menu is eclectic too, and I’ve enjoyed their steaks, fish and tapas when visiting.

The Big Society A Pub on Cowley Road

Another pet-friendly pub for food and drink in Oxford is The Big Society on Cowley Road. The Big Society is a bar with lots of fun things going on: ping-pong and foosball tables and DJs on the weekend.

They have an excellent selection of beers, cocktails and wines. The Big Society also has some non-alcoholic options too. Their food menu is in the American fast food style, and they serve amazing burgers or fried chicken. They allow dogs inside and outside of the pub, so it is a great option.

The Punter

On the banks of the River Thames is the Punter, a pub and a restaurant. The Punter is a pet-friendly place to visit for drinks or food. They have a nice indoor seating area and a beer garden too; both allow dogs. They have an excellent selection of wines and beers.

The Punter specialises in vegan or vegetarian food, and they have a wonderful menu. Food options include delights such as Cashew & Sweet Potato Massaman Curry or Black Bean & Sweet Potato Burger.

Other Dog-Friendly Pubs

There were also some other bars, pubs, and restaurants that I didn’t visit. These include:

• The Royal Oak
• The Perch
• The Angel & Greyhound
• Turf Tavern
• The Chequers

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Things to Do in Oxford on an Extended Dog Walk

Oxford is a beautiful city to explore without needing to enter any of the tourist attractions. These are the sites that I found to be well worth seeing on a dog walk in the city.

Oxford Punting is based at Magdalen Bridge; you can hire a punt from them for a trip on the river. They are dog-friendly and a fun activity to do with views from the water. Opposite Christ Church is the beautiful St Aldate’s Church. It’s a nice place to look around, and their garden has some shaded areas to sit in to cool down.

Christ Church Meadow is a scenic area of open space for a walk. It has views of the city’s skyline and the neighbouring Christ Church Cathedral. This is an ideal place to walk the dog. Entering from St Aldate’s, there is a pretty ornamental garden with fountains and lots of pretty flowers. You can walk to Boathouse Island, Magdalen Bridge, or Merton College via Christ Church Meadow. We enjoyed a break in the shade while Henry enjoyed his lunch.

The Radcliffe Camera is in a picturesque area of the city, and there are lots of pleasant buildings to see on walkies. This building is absolutely stunning and one of the city’s iconic buildings. Merton College is perfect for a walk around with the dog. They have sports fields to the rear that are adjoining Christ Church Meadow.

Salters Steamers do boat trips along the River Thames from Folly Bridge. These are dog-friendly, and you can enjoy views of the city on their trips. They do a variety of river cruise options, including short trips, picnic cruises and themed tours.

As a former rower, I was interested to see Boathouse Island, the home of the Oxford University colleges’ rowing teams. There were lots of boathouses, all with their logos on display. On the river, there were crews out training. The walk here via Christ Church Meadow was picturesque, and many people were enjoying some alfresco dining on the riverbank.

The University Church of St Mary the Virgin is a splendid building near the Radcliffe Camera and Bodleian Library. It originally opened in 1280 and has a fascinating history. One highlight of the church is visiting the tower for one of the best views of the city; sadly, dogs are not allowed. There were some cafes in the area near the church.

The Carfax Tower is the last remaining part of the 13th-century church of St Martin. You can enter the tower to see views of the city’s skyline, but not with a dog. Another pleasant place to walk is in the courtyard of the Bodleian Library. It’s a stunning building, and there is much to see from the outside. Sadly, the inside is not pet friendly.

If you fancy some retail therapy, FatFace, the fashion retailer, is a good place to visit and is a dog-friendly chain. As a bonus on our visit, they had a bowl of water by the entrance for canine guests.

Dog-Friendly Places To Stay in Oxford?

There are a few hotels and other places to stay in the central areas of the city. I’ve researched a few for an overnight stay that didn’t materialise. The Travelodge is on Abingdon Road on the outskirts of the city. However, they are a good budget chain that is dog-friendly too.

The Malmaison is a centrally located hotel that is also pet-friendly. It is next to the castle in the centre of the city. They have a lovely hotel with a range of room types.

Getting Here

Oxford is on the UK rail network and is easy to get to by train. There are regular trains from major transport hubs like Birmingham and London. You can also catch the National Express coach from some cities if you are looking for a cheaper option to arrive. However, coaches tend not to be pet-friendly, unlike the trains. Travelling with a dog is free on trains to the city from anywhere in the UK.