Frequently Asked Questions
It's easy - just use our very helfpul Sniff Out Your Pawfect Place page! You can search with or without dates and you can refine your search in all sorts of ways - numbers of dogs, fence heights, hot tub, near a beach and much more. Or email us - hello@eastrustoncottages.co.uk We know the properties and the area inside out - and have dogs ourselves of course - so we can help you choose.
Absolutely!! All of them very much welcome dogs (or they wouldn't be with East Ruston Cottages!) and all have doggy extras. It varies from property to property but usually you can find dog bowls, dog treats or biscuits in the welcome packs, throws for the sofas, toys, a spare lead or two, a crate, some have dog beds and doggy first aid kits, outside warm dog showers, a doggy toy box - we now loan out buggies if you need them too!! It is down to the owners what they all can and choose to supply but they all LOVE having dogs to stay.
Each property is different but all accept at least 3 and most of them more. Right up to unlimited!! The limits are flexible and based on the size of the accommodation, the type, size and sometimes age of the dogs. After all, 4 Great Danes would be a bit different to 4 Chihuahuas!! Please do ask! We always try to be as flexible as possible.
NO!! We never have and never will charge for dogs; it was our main rule when we started in 2008 and we have no intention of changing it!
Yes! In all the properties dogs are allowed on the sofas (with throws provided in most properties) In many of them they are also very welcome on the beds too, if that is what they are used to at home. All we ask is that you bring your own bed linen with you if you want your dogs to share your bed.
Yes! No breed discrimination here! We are also happy to welcome XL bullies at many of our cottages too - please do just ask us which ones.
You can! (And we are all truly sad that this sorry situation has come about for so many dog owners) XL bully types can't be accepted at every property we are afraid as several of them wouldn't have the most suitable garden set up and some are limited by their insurance. However, we have identified these where the garden is securely fenced (solid) to 5ft+ and there is no way someone can access the garden (or house) without permission ie if there is a gate it is lockable from the inside and the same height as the fencing. These are the properties where they would be most welcome. We do need to have sight of your Exemption Certificate and Insurance too before arrival please.
Farthing Cottage - Sleeps 4 / welcomes unlimited dogs
Swallowdale - Sleeps 4 / welcomes 4 dogs (flexible)
1 Paynes Cottage - Sleeps 4 / welcomes 4 dogs
West Cottage - Sleeps 4 / welcomes 4 dogs (flexible)
East Cottage - Sleeps 4 / welcomes 4 dogs (flexible)
The Crib - Sleeps 5 / welcomes unlimited dogs
White Cottage - Sleeps 5 + trundle bed / welcomes 6 dogs
Woodpecker Lodge - Sleeps 6 / welcomes 4 dogs (flexible)
Wag-tail Cottage - Sleeps up to 6 / welcomes 4 dogs (flexible)
The Farmhouse - Sleeps 8 / welcomes 4 dogs (flexible)
Yes, they all do, varying from a small courtyards to huge grass back garden. Details of the fencing/boundaries are included on the individual property description and we are happy to provide more information and photos if you email your query. None of them will claim to be fully secure for ALL types of dog but they are all enclosed and all the owners have done their best to provide a safe area for the majority of dogs. We understand that different dogs have different requirements and will be happy to talk to you to identify which property would be best for you and your dogs.
Please note that our chalet Skylark (on the Winterton Valley Estate) does not have a specific enclosed area, but the owners provide windbreaks for guests to build a private area outside the chalet.
Yes! Just add them to your booking form or let us know of your requirements before you arrive and we will make sure they are available for your stay. On each respective property page you will be able to see what they have to offer already there, but if you need something more specific we will try our best to accommodate.
Crates are free to borrow. Dog buggies are charged at £10 per booking.
All the Winterton cottages are a short walk to the Fisherman's Return in the village - so that's Hidden Gem, Beachcomber, Ruby Gem and Jack's Shack. Skylark is a little bit further but still a lovely easy walk through the dunes, footpaths or along the beach.
You can walk from Sand Drift and Dormy up the coast to The Hill House or inland to the Lessingham Star! They are an easy 30 mins walk but well worth it and they are, of course, all dog friendly.
The Crib is very close to The Hill House at Happisburgh and White Cottage is a little further but still a very easy walk.
You can walk to the Swan Inn in Stalham along the Weavers Way from The Lodge, Vineyard Cottage, Badger's Retreat and Bristow's Barn.
Red Roofs has The Greyhound Inn and The Pleasure Boat within easy walking distance in the village of Hickling. Both great dog welcoming pubs!
The Star at Lessingham, one of our favourite dog friendly pubs, is a very easy, short walk from Corner Cottage, an easy walk from The Walnut, The Peanut, Bumblebee Cottage and The Farmhouse! Manor Barn can be about a mile from both The Lessingham Star and The Hill House in Happisburgh.
If you stay at The Lookout, Seaview Cottage or Rose Cottage you are very close to the very dog friendly Poachers Pocket and the Lighthouse Inn is a little further along too. Malthouse Farm Barn is spitting distance to The Lighthouse Inn!
Staying at Broad's Cottage in Thurne? The Lion Inn is just a short walk along the quiet road.
If you are staying at Thatched Cottage then both the Kings Head and Hotel Wroxham are a very short walk away, right by the water and very dog friendly!
In Trunch there is The Crown Inn - a very short and easy walk from Farthing Cottage, Swallowdale, Rooster Barn and 1 Paynes Cottage!
If you are not able to make your holiday for any reason, do let us know as soon as possible. We strongly encourage you to have cancellation insurance for this. We do offer a product - XCover (previously called Booking Protect) - which can be taken out at the time of your booking which may enable you to claim a refund. See here for more details. Otherwise our normal Terms and Conditions apply - see here for full details but in brief they are:
Cancel up to 42 days before arrival - we refund any monies paid less the deposit and booking fee.
Cancel between 41 and 7 days before arrival - we refund 50% of the booking price. Booking fee is retained.
Cancel less than 7 days before arrival - full booking price and booking fee is retained.
Should we be able to rebook your cancelled holiday then we will refund any monies you have paid for the booking (less booking fee and cancellation fee) as long as the replacement booking is achieved for the same price.
All of them do and they are sandy and joined up too! From 1 May - 1 October a few of them have restrictions but many of them don't and where there are restricted areas they are small and there is plenty of beach left without restrictions. Full details here.
If you would like to use a secure dog field during your stay, we have a few options:
Martham Paw Ground Norfolk Dog Field of the year, 2023! And our guests can all book with an exclusive 10% discount. Make sure you book well in advance as this is a these are 2 very popular fields. Close to our Winterton, Hickling and Catfield cottages and easily under 25 minutes from all the others.
Home - Winterton Hound Ground is within walking distance of our Winterton properties and a short drive from the Scratby properties too!
Walcott Dog Park located on the beautiful North Norfolk Coast in Walcott and next to The Lighthouse Inn. A 15 drive from our Trunch properties and easy walk/short drive distance from our Happisburgh, Bacton and Walcott properties. Closest to Malthouse Farm Barn. About 15 minutes from Sea Palling and Hickling too.
Happisburgh Dog Park is small but perfectly formed and just as you come out of Happisburgh on the coast road. Your next stop can be the beach at Cart Gap and Smallsticks Cafe for a dog welcome and good food! You can walk here from Corner Cottage, Manor Barn and Dormy within 20 minutes and it is a very short drive from all of our other Happisburgh and Eccles properties and the East Ruston ones too.
K9 Unleashed Dog Field - which can be found in South Walsham, under 30 minutes from many of our cottages.
Yes, Red Roofs is just opposite Hickling Broad - a stunning location! All of the properties are a short drive from the Broads and many of the boat hire companies welcome dogs.
Fenside is so close to the water at Barton Broad that the garden has it's own mooring and boats can be hired and moored there for your holiday!
Broads Cottage is right on the edge of the Broads at Thurne - with the most amazing walks from the door along the waters edge and inland too.
Thatched Cottage is about 5 mins walk to the water, passing all sorts of wonderful dog friendly cafes, shops and more in the popular Broads village of Hoveton/Wroxham
Yes, all of our Winterton cottages - Ruby Gem, Hidden Gem, Jack's Shack and Beachcomber and the chalet, Skylark - are a very short walk to miles of beach!
The Happisburgh cottages are an easy walk to to the beach - White Cottage and The Crib.
East and West Cottages plus Pollywiggle and Bishy Barnaby(statics) all have a private field edge walk directly to the beach - approx 10-15 mins.
Corner Cottage is about a mile away from Cart Gap as The Walnut, The Peanut and Bumblebee Cottage. Manor Barn and Edelweiss are an easy walk to the beach too. Thatch Cottage, is a peaceful mile walk (along a lovely green track) to the beach at Eccles. Our Eccles properties are a stone's throw from the beach - Sand Drift and Dormy.
Seaview Cottage is just about on the beach at Bacton and Rose Cottage is so close you can smell the sea! Malthouse Farm Barn is another one with a very easy walk to the beach at Walcott.
Brig Cottage and Woodpecker Lodge in Scratby are an easy pavement walk to the beach at the end of the road (passing the cafe, bakery and fish and chip shop too!)
Rooster Barn, The Lobster and Dormy have dedicated parking within the enclosed garden boundary. Thatch Cottage and Fenside do too. White Cottage has a well fenced drive with a gate to keep dogs in, as does Bristow's Barn, Manor Barn, Rose Cottage and The Farmhouse.
At Oak Cottage, Lighthouse Cottage, Church Fields Cottage and The Forge there is a shared, gated area for off road parking. You can also find shared and gated parking at Edelweiss. The Walnut, Bumblebee Cottage and The Peanut all share a gated enclosed parking area. All other cottages have dedicated off road parking to make life easier for getting dogs in and out of cars.
We have teamed up with The Raw Dog Food Company in Norwich and you can make an order for your holiday via our website here. Free delivery (Tues - Fri) and a very low minimum order level for ERC holiday customers. There are several other places in the area where you can pick up fresh and frozen supplies and many of the properties have enough freezer and fridge space to help you plan. See the It's A Dog's Life page to find out more.
The Farmhouse has a great, fully enclosed garden - ideal for children to play in and lots of games in the house and TWO amazing games rooms too. (Just as much fun for grown ups!)
White Cottage and The Crib are all a short walk from the children's play area by the cliff top parking - zip wire and climbing frames overlooking the sea!
The Winterton and Scratby properties are a very short drive from Hemsby and Great Yarmouth where you will find everything from cinema, tenpin bowling, crazy golf and arcades. Winterton also has a lovely playground in the centre of the village. This is out of bounds to dogs though I'm afraid.
Red Roofs has an enormous garden to play in and the village hall nearby has a children's play area.
We cannot offer any insurance but STRONGLY recommend that you have your own in case of cancellation. We also have a refund protection option for each booking via XCover - NOT an insurance but a way of reclaiming your payments. See here for more details.
We take 15% of the total as a deposit, payable within 5 days of making the booking. The balance is due 6 weeks before your holiday starts. We do regularly have lower deposit offers in place to help spread the cost of your holiday and you can pay in instalments too. (just tick the box on the booking form or email us)
We do, and debit cards (not Amex). You can pay online at the same time as you make a booking. When you book you will get a link to the secure online payment system that we use and when we send out the balance request there will be another link. This is by far the most secure way of paying by card. PLEASE NOTE that we cannot securely take payments over the phone.
Yes we do.
Short breaks are often available in many of the properties, mostly out of season (Nov - Feb) but some are year round. The usual stay length is 3 nights (Friday to Monday) or 4 nights (Monday to Friday) but we are getting more and more flexible ...! If you look on the availability calendar, short break start dates are marked with a blue circle and you can select the number days there and see the price.
The normal arrival time is 4pm or 5pm (differs between the properties) and departure can be 9am, 10am or 11am but it is sometimes possible to arrive earlier and leave later, particularly when there is nobody in or out on the same day. But this is very much down to the individual owners and cleaners and the people who are in the property before you. We provide the owners' number with your arrival details so feel free to contact them about an earlier arrival and they will be able to advise.
At many of the houses you can arrange for a supermarket delivery to arrive before you do and have it put away but it does vary. Please check the individual property's 'please note' sections for more information.
Celebrations Catering in Happisburgh can deliver some great, well priced dinner party dishes to your holiday cottage door! And do Afternoon Teas too.
Chef Norgate is one we rate for catering at the cottages too.
And for a posh dinner party we can highly recommend The Edge!
Not really as ERC is run from our homes however, we do appreciate phone calls being kept to sort of office hours, 9am to 5pm and preferably not on a Sunday. You can leave a message any time and emails are always welcome (and are the best and most reliable way for enquiries and bookings).
We are very lucky to have lovely guests who regularly give us great reviews - hundreds of people have rated us 5 stars and given some great reviews on our Facebook page and we have even won an award for our great reviews on eDogAdvisor! A great selection of reviews on the The Good Dog Guide website too and now on the Good Vet and Pet Guide. We also have reviews on the independent review site, Up Front Reviews.
We don't belong to any ratings or awards schemes as most of them cost a lot of money to buy into and we would rather spend the money on advertising and the properties themselves.
We hope the bookings speak for themselves as do the comments on the guestbook pages. However we have been awarded the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 AND 2023 Dog Friendly Self Catering award on the Dog Friendly website!! (thrilled about that!)
Yes we do! Take a look at our Special Offers page on the website. Regular special offers, new properties and cancellations are included on the Facebook page and we send out emails too with special discounts for our mailing list subscribers! If you want to be on our mailing list, just join it here - Mailing List.
We have to be quite strict about this one. Charging cars can only be done where there is a designated car charging point installed at a property (we have several with charging points). Electric bikes and wheelchairs cannot be charged without prior consent from the property owners. They may have an outside area that would be suitable but in all cases, fire regulations and insurance have to be complied with.
We do! We regularly run fundraising campaigns and make one off donations to various animals charities - see our Charity page on the website. We donate £4 for each booking to our charity scheme for 3 or 4 charities that we change on a regular basis. We also support our local First Responders group - not a charity but definitely in need of financial help.
We also have discount codes for some charity supporters and when these are used to make a booking, we make a donation to the charity too.
We also try to make sure that all of our owners buy their dog biscuits from Nero's Kitchen in Happisburgh where handmade dog biscuits of all sorts of flavours are sold to raise funds for dog charities.
