To celebrate National Best Friends Day, we thought it’d only be right to honour our best furry friends with the love they all deserve. Dogs love nothing more than a fun day out, so we’ve put together a list of unique and alternative things for you and your pup to do this summer.
From dog-friendly bottomless brunches to doggy paddleboarding, here are a few ideas to inspire your next dog-friendly day out.
Go dog-friendly brunching
We all love a bottomless brunch with friends, so why not take your best furry friend along? There are a whole host of fabulous dog-friendly restaurants and cafes that serve up the most delicious brunch menus.
PetsPyjamas top pick:
One of our PetsPyjamas favourites is Megan’s – a chain of small, independently-owned dog-friendly restaurants that offer an excellent, award-winning, Mediterranean inspired brunch menu, accompanied by a bright and homely feel.
Their chains spread across a number of locations, mainly in London, including Clapham, Balham, Wandsworth, Dulwich, Kingston, Kensington, Chelsea, Wimbledon, Battersea and Islington. You can find your nearest restaurant here.
Other great places for dog-friendly brunches include Bluebird Chelsea, Book Club in Shoreditch, Little Bat Bar in Islington and Lost Society in Putney.
Fancy a dog-friendly gourmet getaway?
Check out our collection of dog-friendly hotels that offer fantastic fine dining for you and your hound…
Take your hound to the pub
Pups and pints – name a better duo! Take your best furry friend to one of the many fantastic dog-welcoming pubs and inns in London and beyond. Some even serve a doggy menu and treats for your hound!
PetsPyjamas top pick:
We recommend BrewDog – a chain of classic, cosy, super dog-friendly pubs renowned for its incredible selection of craft beers, top quality pub grub and superb beer gardens. What’s more, each one of BrewDog’s pubs welcomes dogs with open arms – they even host ‘Dog Pawties’ to celebrate our pups.
You can find BrewDog pubs all throughout London, including Camden, Battersea, Soho, Clapham Junction, Hammersmith, Goodge Street, Farringdon, and Tower Bridge.
For more options, check out our full list of London’s best dog-friendly pubs and restaurants here.
Why not make a weekend of it?
Explore our collection of super charming dog-friendly pubs with rooms, in some of the UK’s most desirable locations.
Find a dog agility course
If your dog’s got a lot of energy to burn and loves the outdoors, why not give them a go at a doggy agility course? It’s a super fun activity for both pups and owners, and it also gives you the opportunity to explore some new places along the way.
PetsPyjamas top picks:
There are several agility courses and trails spread across London parks and recreational areas, so whether you’re based in North, East, South or West London, you’re bound to find one near you. Here are a few of our favourites:
– Lee Valley Park, Cheshunt, North East London
– ‘Bark Park’, Twickenham, West London
– Mile End Park, Mile End, East London\
– Geraldine Harmsworth Park, Lambeth, South London
– Higham Hill Recreation Ground, Higham Hill, East London
– Victoria Park, Windsor
Go one more and make it an active dog-friendly weekend!
If you’re looking for something adventurous, The Fish Hotel in Worcestershire has its very own doggy agility course in the grounds. With plenty to explore in the surrounding countryside too, it’s the perfect place for a dog-friendly getaway for you and your best furry friend!
Catch a movie at a dog-friendly cinema
Go one up from Petflix ‘n’ chill and take your canine companion to a dog-friendly cinema! From rooftop film screenings to drive-in cinemas and dedicated doggy cinema days, there’s plenty of places for you and your pup to watch a movie together this summer.
PetsPyjamas top pick:
Our top pick, however, would be the Rooftop Film Club at Bussey Building in Peckham. Located on the roof of the Bussey Building bar, this dog-friendly film club hosts regular evening screenings (from May to September) where you and your pooch can sink into a deckchair, munch on some popcorn, admire the stunning views of London and enjoy a variety of cult classics and recently released films through a pair of wireless headphones.
Other great dog-friendly cinemas in London include the Picturehouse, Peckham Levels Film Club and Vauxhall Summer Screen Outdoor Cinema.
Take your dog paddleboarding
If your pup likes to doggy paddle, why not go one further and introduce them to doggy paddleboarding? Dog-friendly paddleboarding is the perfect activity for water-loving pups that love new adventures. There are a few places along the Thames that offer stand up doggy paddleboarding sessions that you can book online in advance.
PetsPyjamas top pick
We suggest Wakeup Docklands at Royal Victoria Docks, East London. They hold stand up paddleboarding (SUP) and yoga sessions for humans and furry friends. Certified paddleboarders can hire a board and go for a paddle, but beginners can book a session with an instructor who will teach you everything you need to know about paddleboarding with your pup.
Also, check out Back of Beyond Adventures, which offers dog-friendly SUP sessions starting at Richmond.
Go on a dog-friendly boat trip
Doggy boat trips make for wonderful summer days out, or even holidays if you’re wanting to relax for that little bit longer! You can hire boats of all shapes and sizes to cruise along the Thames, from self-drive electric boats to luxury canal boats – all of which are super dog-friendly and safe for four-legged shipmates.
PetsPyjamas top pick
With our exclusive dog-friendly boating holiday packages, you can combine your doggy boat trip with a boating escape. For Londoners, our suggested route would be the Thames Benson, Oxfordshire. You and your pooch can escape the crowds, sit back, relax and discover the beautiful River Thames from a totally new perspective.
Read more about why we love the Thames Benson route in our recent Pet Inspectors report.
If you’re after a little more inspiration, check out our newly launched collection of doggy boating trips from a variety of different starting locations throughout the UK, Ireland and France. 