If you’re planning a break in Kent and the dog is coming too, the county is better for it than most places. It has clifftop walks above the Channel, long-distance footpaths through chalk valleys, beaches that open up to dogs once summer is over, and a cathedral that will let them through the door.
Finding a dog friendly hotel in Kent is where it gets harder. Plenty of places call themselves dog-friendly, but that can mean anything from one designated room at the back of the building to a proper welcome for your dog.
At Broome Park, dogs are welcome in both our Mansion House rooms and our woodland lodges, on a Grade I listed country estate near Canterbury. In this guide, we’ll share what we’ve learned from welcoming dogs and their owners over the years, along with the places across Kent we’d recommend.
What Makes a Hotel Dog-Friendly?
A genuinely dog-friendly hotel gives your dog room to settle, somewhere to walk straight from the door, and clear house rules you know before you arrive. The bowl and the welcome biscuit are nice, but they matter less than whether the place actually works for a dog and its owners.
Before you book anywhere in Kent, it’s worth asking:
- Is there a charge for dogs, and is it per night or per stay?
- Are there any breed or size restrictions?
- Which areas can dogs use? Bedrooms only, or the bar, lounge and grounds as well?
- Can you walk straight out of the door? A short stroll first thing and last thing makes a big difference.
- Can dogs be left alone in the room? Many places say no, which affects whether you can go out for dinner.
The answers tell you quickly whether a place welcomes dogs or just tolerates them.
Where to Stay in Kent With Your Dog
For a countryside break close to Canterbury and the coast, a country house estate gives you something a town-centre hotel can’t: space. You can walk from the door, there’s room to roam, and your dog can relax in the bar with you at the end of the day.
Dog-Friendly Hotel Rooms & Lodges at Broome Park
Dogs can stay with you in the Mansion House or in our woodland lodges. It depends on the kind of break you’re after.
The Mansion House suites suit couples who want the history of the house around them. Inside the house, dogs are welcome everywhere except the Restaurant. They’re also welcome to join you in the bar and lounge.
The 14 woodland lodges sit among the trees a short walk from the house. Each has two bedrooms, sleeps up to six and comes with a fully equipped kitchen. They’re a good fit for families or friends travelling together, or for anyone who likes having their own front door for early-morning walks.
A few practical things to know:
- The charge: there’s a charge of £30 per night for your dog.
- Larger breeds: if you have an XL or larger breed, please contact us before booking.
- Damage: we treat dogs as part of the family, but if a room is damaged, the cost will be passed on.
Space to Walk From the Door
Dogs are free to explore the estate grounds. We only ask that they’re kept on a lead on the golf course, unless they have a decent swing.
Beyond the estate, Barham village sits within the Kent Downs National Landscape, some of the best walking country in the south east. The Elham Valley Way runs through Barham on its way from Hythe to Canterbury Cathedral. It follows the Nailbourne stream and stretches of the old Elham Valley Railway, which carried passengers between Folkestone and Canterbury until 1947.
For a longer day out, you can combine it with the North Downs Way to make a circular walk of around ten miles. The route loops through Kingston, Bishopsbourne and Bridge before crossing Barham Downs back to the village. As with any footpath through farmland, keep your dog close when you pass sheep or cattle.
Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Kent
Canterbury Cathedral
Dogs are allowed inside one of England’s oldest and most important cathedrals, which surprises most people. Canterbury Cathedral trialled the policy in 2023 and kept it. Dogs on a short lead can now join you in the grounds and inside the building itself. They can’t come on guided tours or mini talks, and only assistance dogs are allowed at services and special events. You’ll still need an admission ticket for yourselves.
If you stop for lunch, dogs can’t go inside the Lodge Lounge café. In spring and summer, though, they’re welcome in the Refectory garden when it’s open to diners.
The White Cliffs of Dover
The National Trust welcomes dogs across all the outdoor spaces at the White Cliffs and South Foreland Lighthouse, and there’s outdoor seating by the café. Keep your dog on a short lead near unfenced sections of the clifftop and around livestock. Between 1 March and 31 August, the lead rule applies everywhere on the site. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the café, shops and lighthouse.
Dover Castle
Dover Castle’s grounds are huge, and dogs on short leads are welcome to explore them. The castle buildings and wartime tunnels are off-limits to dogs, though. If you want to see everything, one of you will need to wait outside while the other goes in. There’s a dog-friendly area in the Naafi Restaurant for when you stop for lunch.
Blean Woods
Just north of Canterbury, the RSPB’s Blean Woods is one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in England. Dogs are welcome on the white waymarked trail and should stay on a lead to protect the wildlife. It’s an easy morning walk before heading into the city.
Dog-Friendly Beaches Near Canterbury
Many Kent beaches restrict dogs between 1 May and 30 September, so it’s worth checking before you go. On the stretch of coast nearest Broome Park, Dover District Council places no restrictions on Walmer beach or Shakespeare Cliff beach.
At Deal, dogs are excluded from the beach between Deal Castle and Sandown Castle from 9am to 6pm during the summer season. They’re still welcome on a lead on the promenade and pier all year round. St Margaret’s Bay has a similar seasonal restriction on part of the beach.
From October to April, the whole coastline opens up again. That’s one of the best reasons to plan your dog-friendly break in Kent for the quieter months.
A Dog-Friendly Base Between Canterbury and Dover
Broome Park sits between Canterbury and Dover, so the cathedral, the cliffs and the coast are all an easy drive away. A weekend here could start on Saturday morning in the cathedral precincts, followed by an afternoon in Blean Woods. On Sunday, walk along the White Cliffs, then head back for a drink in the bar with the dog stretched out by your feet.
Book Your Dog-Friendly Stay in Kent
If you’d like to bring the dog to Broome Park, take a look at room and lodge availability and book directly through our website. Booking direct means we know your dog is coming. If you have a larger breed or any questions before you book, our reservations team is always happy to help.
FAQs
Are there dog-friendly hotels near Canterbury?
Yes. Broome Park, a Grade I listed country house hotel near Canterbury, welcomes dogs in its Mansion House rooms and woodland lodges. Dogs are allowed in the bar and lounge and can explore the estate grounds.
Does Broome Park allow dogs?
Yes. Dogs can stay in both the Mansion House and the woodland lodges for £30 per night. They’re welcome throughout the house except the restaurant, including in the bar and lounge, and can explore the grounds, on a lead on the golf course. Owners of XL or larger breeds are asked to contact the hotel before booking.
Can you take dogs into Canterbury Cathedral?
Yes. Dogs on a short lead are welcome in the cathedral grounds and inside the building. They aren’t allowed on guided tours, mini talks or at services, apart from assistance dogs.
Are dogs allowed on Kent beaches?
Many Kent beaches restrict dogs from 1 May to 30 September. Near Dover and Deal, Walmer beach and Shakespeare Cliff beach have no restrictions. Always check local signage before letting your dog onto the sand.
Is Dover Castle dog-friendly?
Partly. Dogs on short leads are welcome in the castle grounds but not inside the buildings or tunnels. There’s a dog-friendly area in the Naafi Restaurant.
When is the best time for a dog-friendly break in Kent?
Autumn and winter are ideal, because beach restrictions lift from October and the county’s walking routes are quieter. In spring and summer, expect to keep dogs on shorter leads in some places, including the White Cliffs from 1 March.
