Thinking of taking your furry companion with you for a spooky weekend away? No need to leave fido behind on a magic weekend getaway – head to somewhere atmospheric, gothic and glamourous! Perhaps a dog-friendly historic hotel, castle or even a former jail on the Moors.
Dine in an enchanting candle lit restaurant or cosy up with your four-legged friend beside a roaring fire. Many of our historic hotels have glamorous bars where you can sip a dark and stormy cocktail or spirit or two, your canine companion may also receive a halloween treat. Or enjoy a warming hot chocolate and pumpkin puppuccino after long walks on the moors before heading to the spa for a twilight dip in the pool. The possibilities are endless…
Get your thrills at five of our favourite magical dog-friendly hideaways – all perfect places to take your hound for Halloween!
Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, West Sussex
The trick of this hotel is that it looks just like the real deal – housed in an ancient manor which would have made the perfect hunting lodge for Henry VIII, but rather than being medieval the building dates back to the 1920s. Designed and bought by Walter Guiness, Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa has a wonderful setting near the beach at Climping and has been designed to create an authentic mediaeval home. Once beloved by the 1930s high society set, the hotel possesses real Gothic mullioned windows where you can look out on gorgeous gardens where your dog can play. Super cosy, the hotel has its own moat, open fires, vaulted ceilings, four poster beds and a medieval themed Tapestry restaurant.
Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire
Whether your dog is more like the Hound of the Baskervilles or a smaller model – Thornbury Castle loves dogs. This 16th-century, turreted-towered Tudor castle is truly spectacular and once played host to Henry VIII and his bride Anne Boleyn. It has 14 acres of unspoiled grounds for your pet to explore and hosts activities including archery and croquet. The bedrooms are baronial in style so your pet will truly feel like the Lord of the Manor. You can dine with your hound in the oak-panelled restaurant serving only fresh ingredients sourced from the castle’s own herbs and a number of vegetables in the garden. Its well-stocked cellar also offers an excellent selection of vintage wines.
Ellenborough Park, Gloucestershire
A sumptuous 15th-century manor house hotel set within 90 acres of gorgeous National Trust land, your hound will enjoy bracing walks within the grounds and along the Cotswold Way. As you head towards Ellenborough Park, a series of honey-coloured buildings surround the ancient manor house where you then enter through a historic front door which has musket holes from the Civil War. There’s a Tudor great hall and a fabulous dog-friendly bar, the Horse Box. Steeped in history, the hotel has a wonderfully romantic feel whilst at the same time being super dog friendly. The hotel also hosts a fabulous spa where while you enjoy a relaxing treatment or two, your pup can enjoy a paw spa too. For a spooky day out make sure to visit nearby Batcombe Arboretum.
Glenapp Castle Hotel, Ayrshire
With its turrets, towers and crenulations, Glenapp Castle is a fine example of Scottish fairy-tale baronial style – perfect for a spooky-themed Halloween break. A luxury hound-friendly five-star hotel, it’s Victorian in design with plenty of wood panelling, period features and roaring log fires creating a fabulous atmosphere. Treat you and your best furry friend to fine dining by a Michelin-trained chef where your dog can join you in one of the four sections of the newly built Victorian Glasshouse before retreating back to your spacious dog-friendly suite. Your four-legged friend will definitely feel like a king or queen of the castle here and will enjoy exploring the wonderful grounds, woodlands and breathtaking views out to the sea which include the famous volcanic outcrop of Alisa Craig. Beyond that, you can see the Isle of Arran and Holy Island.
Bodmin Jail Hotel
Super spooky and atmospheric is dog-friendly Bodmin Jail Hotel – a former jail which has been converted into a modern, luxurious, boutique 4-star hotel. Located in the heart of Cornwall, Bodmin Jail Hotel is close to Cornwall’s best beaches, as well as the brooding Bodmin Moor. The dog-friendly rooms have been sympathetically restored with eclectic decor and king-sized beds plus cosy dog beds and treats for your four-legged friend. Enjoy a cocktail or two in the Chapel Champagne Bar and dine with your dog in the jolly Hangman Tavern. If you really feel you want to get into the spirit of things, why not join The Dead Days tour running throughout October and November looking at the rise of spiritualism in the Victorian period?