springer's welcome - dog friendly places to stay

I am sure we have all struggled to find somewhere that is genuinely Springer friendly, most places that say dog friendly are not well enough equipped for a Springer, and there is nothing better than finding a hotel, a cottage, kennels or dog walker that really understands the breed and is prepared for all the trouble that follows them.

This section of the site will hopefully grow as people discover those little hidden gems that are truly "Springer friendly".

If you would like to make a suggestion please do, and we would love some photo's of your Springer on holiday if you found the perfect spot. Ideally e-mail freya@itsaspringthing.co.uk with as much detail as possible, including websites, and a brief review of what made it so suitable for you Springer.

The Spittal of Glenshee Hotel
Glenshee, A93, Perthshire, PH10 7QF, Scotland, tel: 01250 885215, fax: 01250 885223 www.spittalofglenshee.co.uk . The owners of this hotel have 3 Springer's and does not charge extra for dogs. They have been recommended by a forum member Cynthia who runs NESSR which covers Scotland and Northumberland, she has always had a welcome here no matter how many dogs she takes.

Munro Inn
Strathyre, Perthshire, http://www.munro-inn.com/ (recommended by Dominic, Nikki and ESS Hamish)
"Thought I would let you know about a small, really dog-friendly hotel in the Trossachs that we have stayed at a few times. It is the Munro Inn, Strathyre, Perthshire. Dogs are especially welcome and have the run of the hotel except for the dinning room. They are allowed to sleep in your room and can frequent the bar ? even when food is being served! Really homey with big log fire and they do a mean rum/hot chocolate! The owners have their dogs there as well. Lots of places to walk nearby ? hills, forests, rivers etc. Great for a wee weekend break and not to far to travel from Glasgow or surrounding areas"

Holly House Farm B&B (recommended by Selina with Welshie Rufus and ESS Titchy)
"I just wanted to say what a fantastic welcome we had here, us and the dogs, you can even take your own horses here.
They will let you use a stable to keep your dog in during the day and will keep an eye on them for you if you want to go shopping and not have to worry about your dog.
Plenty of parking, a really nice comfortable en suite double room with a huge bed, nice and clean and a full farmhouse breakfast each morning, the view was gorgeous to.
I don't think we could have stayed in a nicer place and the dogs were made so welcome which makes all the difference to me." http://www.hollyhousefarm.org.uk/

Chapel Barn, Kilburn (recommended by Sue and Springer Finn) - Chapel Barn is situated in one of the beautiful parts of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Kilburn is a small, picturesque village nestling under the Hambleton Hills, it is very dog friendly and they stay with you free of charge, however no children (not such a bad thing for some of us!) To make an enquiry why not contact CLAIRE STRAFFORD, CHAPEL COTTAGE, KILBURN, YORK YO61 4AH , 01347 868383 clairestrafford@aol.com , there are dog friendly pubs nearby and the small garden is enclosed. Prices for 2005 are very reasonable at £220 p/w april - oct and £180 p/w nov - march.

Hallagenna Cottages, Cornwall (recommended by Rob with Springer Kym and Cocker Whizz) - "The cottages are run by Julian and Caroline who made us ever so welcome, with lots of tips and information about things to do etc. The cottage we stayed in was the Old Dairy. There is a main courtyard which, once we got to know the other families staying there, we could let Kym and Whizz out into for general sniffing around, mooching and being with the Kids. For walks - 10 yds from their front gate is the cattle grid onto Bodmin Moor. From there you could walk for miles. The owners were very good at letting the dogs out to run in the farmyard for an hour or so, if we were out for the day and could not take them. So good time had by all!" http://www.hallagennacottages.co.uk/
Fiona "I read this review when I first found this website in the summer and got in touch with Julian. We spent a week in the Old Dairy with Molly and Mabel and they had a great time. I can definitely recommend these cottages"

Grove Cottages (recommended by Katy and Springer Bob)
"Just to let you know - we thoroughly recommend these cottages. It was a real treat. You get a lovely welcome basket with local eggs, bacon, bread, butter, some fruit, milk, tea, coffee, etc - Mark who owns them is very knowledgable about the area and provides maps that he's marked various items of interest on, from the best local foodie pubs that allow dogs - to Constable country - to the old Viking area of Sutton Hoo.
The cottages themselves are surrounded by huge fields - some of which make a great walk to the local pub
We were in 'Dons Barn' which had lovely french doors onto the garden which meant we could have Bob on the long lead so he could potter in and out. We went on some great walks around Kentwell Hall in Long Melford - where Lovejoy was filmed apparently and met some lovely locals in a small pub in Little Waldingfield.
It was just a lovely relaxing place to stay. Great welcome for people with dogs and a great relaxing place to stay."
http://www.grovecottages.co.uk/

Country Ways Cottages, Devon (recommended by Sarah and Holly)
"Having recently returned from a doggy holiday in Devon I thought I ought to mention the great place we stayed at.
It is called Country Ways and is a great places for dogs especially Springers as they have 14 acres of woodland belonging to the farm with a river running through the bottom. Holly absolutely adored the place and loved all the bunny smells and things to run after. It is great for people too as it is rare breed farm and you can help yourself to the meat throughout your stay and pay at the end. This is lethal as you end up eating the gorgeous sausages every morning........
Dogs need to be on a lead in the main farm because of the chickens and cats but there are plenty of places to exercise. They normally have a designated doggy field for exercise that you don't need to clean up in and as long as you pick up they are not worried about dogs toileting around the farm. It is not far from various beaches and they have guides on local pubs that you can take dogs in." http://www.country-ways.net/dogs.html

Blea Ridge Holiday Lodge, Lake District, (recommended by Heather and her 4 Springers)
"I’d like to propose this wonderful lodge as somewhere you would like to take your Springer(s). Blea Ridge Holiday Lodge which is on Lake Windermere in the Lake District. Full details can be found at www.lakelandholidaylodge.co.uk. We’ve been 4 times this year and we love it. The lodge itself is a private lodge on a large park, I think it has one of the best positions in the park as its set back above most of the others. It contains anything you might ever need on holiday (they have literally thought of everything). As far as I know there is no limit to the number of dogs you can take (we took 4 last time) and although the park insists dogs be kept on a lead etc there are purpose built dog walks and of course walking possibilities in the Lake District are endless.
PS – It is also very child friendly" (Heather from South Yorkshire Springer Rescue, SYESSR)

The Old Piggery, Peak District (owned by one of our forum members and K9knitters head knitter, Carrie)
The Old Piggery is located in an elevated position on the edge of Tideswell up a secluded lane and boasts beautiful views across the Peak District countryside. With direct access onto the Limestone Way from your door, the cottage is ideally situated for walkers and those who enjoy the outdoors, yet is only a five minute walk to the village centre. It is also within walking distance of a number of dog-friendly pubs which serve food. An ‘upside down’ cottage, The Old Piggery is perfect for two (plus dogs!). There is a sofa bed in the lounge if required (sleeps two), and a dog bed is provided too! The garden is fenced, and has ample off-street parking. Welcome packs are provided for both humans and dogs. Dogs genuinely welcomed. (No silly rules about keeping them off the sofa!)
http://www.oldpiggery.co.uk/ , contact Carrie Warr, Telephone: 01298 872285

Whitethorn Cottage, County Cork, Ireland
A Springer friendly cottage for those you you wishing to take your Springer across to beautiful Ireland, take your dog in the car on the ferry and have a lovely holiday without the need for pet passports etc
http://www.irishvacationrental.com/index_files/whitethorn.htm

Wear Farm Camping and Caravan Site, Teignmouth, Devon (me and mine)
What a pleasant and unexpected suprise this site was, we had been looking for ages to find a dog friendly site near Teignmouth to visit family and this was suggested. When we went (aug2006) it was only £8 to pitch the tent and no charge for the dogs - owner didn't bat an eyelid at 4!! Beautiful location with acres of space to choose from, hot showers and the usual facilities, plus lots of bunnies to drive the spaniels mad when they are tethered outside the tent. 5 mins drive from Teignmouth and handy for Exeter. Bishopsteignton, Teignmouth, South Devon TQ14 9PT, Telephone 01626 779265

The Moorlands Kennels and Cattery, Condover, Shrewsbury, Shrops, 01743 872395 - One of our forum members, and Springer owner works here and so therefore has Springer experience and they have a number of regular Springer visitors, they are a busy kennels so early booking is essential.

Rose Cottage and Cattery, 26 Mill Lane, Wingrave, Aylesbury, HP22 4PL 01296 681306, large individual accommodation and huge exercise paddocks - as recommended by Springer's Sam and Poppy

Pitstone Pets - based on the borders of Bucks, Beds and Herts, run by one of our forum members and Springer owner, why not have a look at the website http://www.pitstonepets.co.uk/

Busy Paws Dog Walking - based Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire, Aileen is a cocker owner and forum friend so have a look at her website http://www.freewebs.com/busypaws_dogwalking/index.htm

The Pawfect Solution - based in Totton, near Southhampton, dog boarding and APDT trainer
http://www.thepawfectsolution.co.uk/

GROOMER'S - if suggesting a groomer please state if they clip, or if they hand strip.

The Cheshire Dog grooming Studio , 8,Belle Monte Road , Frodsham, Cheshire WA6 6BS As well as a grooming Springers, this grooming studio also runs workshops for Springer owners , helping them to understand the basics of dog grooming and bathing. They have already held a brilliant workshop - lots of Springers brought along their owners , they were helped to use equipment correctly , brushes and combs , scissors where required . Bathing and drying was included ,using safe handling techniques, and a donation was made to NWESSR. Contact BRENDA BASKERVILLE brenda@tcdgs.plus.com

Woof Cuts - Hamilton, Lanarkshire. This is a mobile grooming service run by Mary, one of our forum membrs and a Springer owner. She will come to your home and groom, strip or clip your Springer

DAYS OUT - Places for one or the whole family that don't mind your Springer coming too, it isn't a family outing without a Springer in tow!

The Springer Spaniel Pub and Restaurant - The pub called The Springer Spaniel and is dog friendly, especially to Springer Spaniels!!!
We serve a wide variety of fresh local produce, cooked fresh to order by talented chefs.
We are situated on the A388 just outside of Launceston in a small village called Treburley. Nearly everybody in the vicinity owns a Springer Spaniel, and they often bring them along for an evening drink!
We look forward to hopefully welcoming you one day."
Marie - "we were there in july, its lovely"

The Double Locks Pub, Exeter (recommended by me and my spaniels)
This pub was a real treat for me, forum member Selina and I met up for dinner and walked the dogs to the pub, she had her 2 and I had my 4, we were able to sit outside and enjoy a lovely meal in a fantastic setting, they welcome the dogs indoors also but it was a lovely evening so we sat outside - Willow wanted into the canal but it was a bit late at night for swimming
Double Locks, Canal Banks, Exeter, Devon, EX2 6LT Telephone: 01392 256 947

Malby Photography - great photographer based in the Surrey area, photographing spaniels and other animals.