A Warm Welcome For You & Your Dog
A stay at The Farmhouse at Polehanger wouldn’t be complete without your four-legged friend by your side. Luckily, the surrounding Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire countryside is home to plenty of welcoming pubs where dogs are not just allowed, but truly celebrated.
From cosy bar areas with water bowls and treats, to spacious beer gardens perfect after a long walk, these spots make it easy to enjoy a pint or a hearty meal without leaving your furry friend behind. Here’s our guide to the best dog-friendly pubs near Meppershall, Bedfordshire.
Close to Home: Dog-Friendly Pubs Near Meppershall
Dogs are welcome on the heated outdoor terrace, making it perfect for a drink after a countryside walk. Millennium Meadows and the paths along Henlow Lakes in the pretty village of Henlow are ideal for short dog walks to end at this pub.
Distance – 5 min drive
A welcoming countryside dog-friendly pub with stylish interiors and a large outdoor space. Dogs are allowed throughout, and it’s perfectly placed for exploring nearby Clophill Lakes & Nature Reserve or Rowney Warren at Chicksands Woods.
Distance – 9 min drive
Surrounded by countryside walks this characterful pub is very dog-friendly with water bowls and plenty of garden space. A classic country pub on the Shuttleworth Estate. Dogs are welcome in the lounge bar and garden, making it a peaceful spot for walkers.
Distance – 10 min drive
Countryside Gems: Dog Friendly Pubs In Bedfordshire
A traditional village pub with roaring fires in winter and a large garden for summer. Dogs are welcome throughout. Surrounded by woodland walks near Maulden Wood, ideal for a countryside ramble followed by a pint.
Distance – 13 min drive
This historic coaching inn is ideal for dog owners. Dogs can join you in the bar areas and garden, where they serve their full menu but not in the restaurant. After a stroll around Ampthill Great Park, this is a top choice for a relaxing meal or drink with your pup.
Distance – 16 min drive
Further Afield: A Worthwhile Trip
A gem for dog walkers, this dog-friendly pub is set in beautiful countryside and offers a dog-friendly bar, beer garden with lots of outdoor space, and plenty of bowls for thirsty pups.
Distance – 21 min drive
Make a Day of It: Walks & Adventures Nearby
Many of these pubs are close to fantastic dog walks. Try Ampthill Park for wide open space perfect for dogs, Barton Hills for chalk downland walks, or the lakeside country paths at Henlow. If you’re heading towards Hitchin, the Chiltern Hills are within easy reach, offering scenic routes that both you and your dog will love.
Here are some well trodden walks to lead to or from our pick of the best dog-friendly pubs in the local area:
Walks to Pair with Your Pub Visits
- Maulden Woods Loop – Woodland paths near Maulden Wood, perfect before a stop at The George Inn.
- Ampthill – Maulden Circular – A longer countryside ramble, ideal before relaxing at The White Hart, Ampthill
- Clophill Lakes – Nature reserve and wetlands, best combined with The Flying Horse, Clophill
- Henlow Lakes & River Hiz Circular – A popular 6km trail for walking, open all year round and beautiful to visit,perfect before a Sunday roast at The Crown, Henlow.
Explore Dog-Friendly Pubs & Walks from The Farmhouse at Polehanger
Whether you’re after a quick pint close to home, a countryside walk with a pub lunch, or a scenic drive to discover new spots, these pubs ensure your dog is part of the experience. Staying at The Farmhouse at Polehanger means you’re never far from a warm welcome, good food, and a refreshing drink — all with your four-legged friend by your side.
A favourite combination is a family walk at the historic Ampthill Park to wear you and your dog out, followed by food at The Flying Horse on the way home, and don’t forget you also have the Polehanger River Woodland and 7km of countryside walks right on your doorstep.
