THE Maltings in Old Hall Warrington has been crowned the best dog-friendly pub in the North West, with the Pickering Arms at Thelwall also ranking highly.
That’s according to Rover.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care and its expert Tavern Testers, who have meticulously inspected over 110 pubs up and down the country.
Leading the pack among pubs in its region, The Maltings stands out as a canine haven, with every detail designed with dog lovers in mind. From plush dog beds and cushions piled high to a thoughtfully designed ‘a la bark menu’, and even organised dog walks twice a week. The Maltings is ‘raising the bar-k’ for dog-friendly hospitality in the UK, making it one of the nation’s ulti-mutt destinations for pups and their people alike.
The Maltings
Address: Bewsey Farm Close, Warrington, WA5 9PB
Telephone: 0192 565 8952
Nearest train station: Warrington Bank Quay
Nearest bus stop: Sankey Way
Reservations needed: Recommended
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Live music: Occasionally
Price range: £20-£25
Good for: Vegetarian and gluten-free options
Recommended dish for humans: Moo pie (British beef and craft ale pie) served with your choice of mash or chips, plus mushy peas and gravy.
Hours of operation:
Sunday and Monday: 9.30am-10pm
Tuesday to Saturday: 9.30am-11pm
The Maltings is more than your average dog-friendly pub. The team is passionate about celebrating the bond between humans and their dogs. If your dog is thirsty, you’ll find water bowls inside and a water dispenser outside. Plus, there are dog beds available and even an extensive dog menu, including a Doggy Afternoon Tea. This features sausages, chicken, and veggies, as well as homemade dog-friendly biscuits. Dogs can also enjoy a doggy cocktail or beer, and twice a week, you can join a guided dog walk around the local park.
This pub stood out due to its welcoming atmosphere, evident from the dog-themed signage and abundance of spaces for dogs to roam freely. Staff went out of their way to greet and pamper dogs, offering treats and ensuring their comfort with large beds and a thoughtfully designed “a la bark” menu, offering everything from ‘pawtisers’ to ‘canine coolers’. The pub also features unique touches like a stick library, toy baskets, and dedicated events for dogs (e.g, dog walks and Santa Paws visit).
Another Warrington pub to rank highly is:
The Little Manor at Thelwall, Warrington.
Address: Bell Lane, Thelwall, Warrington, WA4 2SX
Telephone: 0192 521 2070
Nearest train station: Warrington Central
Nearest bus stop: Thelwall Lane
Reservations needed: Recommended
Indoor or outdoor seating: Both available
Live music: Regularly
Price range: £20-£25
Good for: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
Recommended dish for humans: Steak burger served with beer onions, grilled pancetta, Monterey Jack cheese, spiced tomato mayonnaise, and fries.
Hours of operation:
Monday to Saturday: 10.30am-11pm
Sunday: 10.30am-10.30pmLexie in the Little Manor
The Little Manor offers a cozy, dog-friendly atmosphere with spacious gardens. The hard floor areas of the pub as well as outside sections are open to dogs, with water refill stations dotted around. On the last Saturday of each month, join their guided dog walk, with complimentary bacon butties (up to you whether you share this with your dog!). Whenever you visit, there’ll always be plenty of free dog treats on offer.
Rover’s Tavern Tester’s in-depth reviews judged pubs on a range of factors including their booking systems, pup accessibility, welcoming atmosphere, staff communication, doggie facilities, pet safety, dog behaviour policies and overall experience.
Rover’s Dog-Friendly Pub Awards celebrate the establishments that truly go above and beyond in creating a welcoming and homely environment for four-legged friends. The awards come as new research from Rover reveals that dogs aren’t just welcome in pubs – they’re becoming an essential part of pub culture. In fact, 43% of Brits believe dogs are integral to the pub experience, with more than half (59%) even saying they’d prefer being around canines than kids when enjoying their local!
Taking it a step further, an impressive 62% of the nation wishes all pubs were ‘dog-friendly’ while others advocate for designated areas for children, allowing dogs to roam freely in other parts of the pub (31%).
With pubs at the centre of Brit’s social scenes, it’s no surprise that almost 3 out of 4 (71%) Brits see dogs as great icebreakers. According to Rover, 41% of dog owners even bring their furry companions along on pub dates, and for many, it’s puppy love with more than a quarter (28%) of pub-goers having met their partners through their dogs. For those still searching for their special someone, 53% have used their dog as an excuse to strike up a conversation with a stranger, and 40% have made lifelong friends, all thanks to a canine connection.
Adem Fehmi, Canine Behaviourist at Rover comments: “Our 11 tavern-testing pet owners have been busy surveying pubs across the nation to find the most dog-friendly pubs. Scoring extremely highly on factors such as doggy amenities, hospitality, and dog-friendly policies, we’re delighted that The Maltings has been recognised for their efforts in making their pub a wonderfully welcome place for canine friends to visit.”
North West testers Laura and Lexie
For pet parents taking their dogs to the pub for the first time, Adem Fehmi, Rover’s Canine Behaviourist and Tavern Tester selector for the Dog-Friendly Pub Awards advises on how to help socialise your dog in a new environment:
1.Be-gin at home
Create a cosy setup at home or in the garden with a table, chairs, and some drinks. Keep your dog on a lead and offer them a long-lasting chew or a food-dispensing toy to help them relax. Start with brief, positive training sessions and gradually increase the duration. This will help to alleviate some of the unfamiliarity of the pub environment when you finally head out.
2.Pup-pare
Before stepping into the pub, give your dog a chance to take in the new surroundings from a safe distance. Reward their calm and curious behaviour with treats, toys, and plenty of praise. Ensure you move at a pace that’s comfortable for your pooch, allowing them the time they need to feel at ease in this new environment.
3.Bar-king indoors
If your usually quiet dog starts barking indoors, try to decipher why your dog is barking, whether they appear to be overwhelmed, looking for attention, or are simply feeling excitable. Observe their body language and relocate your dog to a quieter, more secluded area of the pub to help them feel calmer. Once they’ve relaxed, reward them with praise and a tasty treat to reinforce the quiet behaviour.
4.Pawsitively essential
In addition to a lead, poo bags, and toys, consider bringing a portable bed, mat, or settle pad to the pub. Introduce these comfort items to your dog at home first, so they associate them with relaxation. This will help give your pup a familiar and cosy spot to settle down at the pub.
