Our Favourite Dog Friendly pubs and cafes in East Norfolk
If there's one thing many of us love to indulge in it's good food and drink! And lucky for you Norfolk is packed with a variety of pubs and cafes, many of them very dog friendly. We asked our guests where they and their dogs loved to go during their stay at our cottages, here's their top suggestions for the best dog-friendly pubs and cafes in our patch of East Norfolk.
Within Walking Distance
Hill House, The Hill, Happisburgh, NR12 0PW
Walk here from: The Crib and White Cottage - a short walk. Manor Barn, The Walnut, The Peanut and Bumblebee Cottage are a little bit further.
Literally up the street from most of our Happisburgh Cottages, Hill House is a cosy, welcoming pub, dating back to 1550. Packed with period features, the pub features a central bar, dining room and a large beer garden. The kitchen serves up tasty home-cooked pub cuisine using seasonal ingredients, locally sourced produce and meats. At the bar there's a large selection of soft drinks and spirits to choose from, as well as wine, beer, cider and ales, some brewed by the on-site brewery!
"The Hill House staff were welcoming enough to allow our six dogs in and kind enough to let us take our meals back to The Crib when they started to play up! We returned the plates the next day." - Sal Hickinson
The Star, School Road, Lessingham, NR12 ODN
Walk here from: Thatch Cottage, Corner Cottage, The Walnut, Bumblebee Cottage and The Peanut. A longer stroll from Sand Drift, The Farmhouse and Dormy but well worth it.
The Star is one of those wonderful places that everyone knows about... but no-one tells you about (probably because we like to keep this gem of a place all to
ourselves!) Situated on a quiet country road, this pub won Rural Pub of the Year in the CAMRA 2017 awards. There's a bar and lounge area, both with big
tables and comfy seats and a great selection of drinks including a regular selection of local and guest ales. Food-wise, choose from traditional pub grub,
daily specials and a yummy Sunday roast! There are lots of vegetarian options to choose from too.
"The Star in Lessingham has great food and beer and always a great welcome for the dogs!" - Graham Farrow
The Fisherman's Return, The Lane, Winterton-on-Sea, NR29 4BN
Walk here from: Hidden Gem, Skylark, Ruby Gem, Beachcomber and Jack's Shack.
The Fisherman's Return is a picturesque 300 year old brick and flint Freehouse, just a few minutes walk from the dunes and long sandy beaches of Winterton. The bar serves up to five real ales as well as Westons Old Rosie Cider, plus soft drinks, on-tap beers, wine and spirits. Cosy up next to the wood burning stove
and order a delicious freshly prepared meal made from locally sourced ingredients. Being close to the sea, fish naturally features prominently on the
specials board.
Visit The Fisherman's Return website
Poppy's, Beach Road, Winterton-on-sea, NR29 4AJ
Walk here from: Hidden Gem, Skylark, Ruby Gem, Jack's Shack and Beachcomber.
This bustling little café offers a range of delicious homemade cakes and drinks, along with full English breakfasts, sandwiches and
seaside specials. Vegetarian, gluten-free, vegetarian and children's options are all available.
Dogs are welcome inside and out on the patio There's also water bowls on-hand for that post-beach walk and treat bags for sale inside.
Just down the road...
Poppylands, Delph Farm Waxham Rd, Horsey, NR29 4EQ
Get ready to step back in time! Poppylands Café is a 1940's haven of cosiness and nostalgia. From spot-on décor, to the 'ration book' menu
and themed dishes such as the 'Dambusters' breakfast bap this place is a real treat for the senses and the tummy. There's even Spam on the menu, Spam! Don't
miss the delicious afternoon tea or the substantial Sunday lunch - certainly not a rationed portion! Dogs aren't allowed in the main café area but they are welcomed in the upstairs area which is just as much themed fun as the ground floor! There's also a pretty courtyard outside.
"Poppylands in Horsey has to be one of our favourites." - Jordan Wardle
Visit the Poppylands Facebook Page
Smallsticks Café, Cart Gap, Happisburgh, NR12 0QL
Walk here from: Dormy, Sea Urchin, Sand Drift, White Cottage and The Crib.
Hidden away along a quiet country lane and just 200m from sandy Cart Gap beach, Smallsticks is a delightful, dog-friendly café that serves up cooked
breakfasts, yummy lunches, delicious cakes, moreish ice cream and an epic fish and chips straight off the boat and farm next door! Dogs are welcome in the
fully enclosed courtyard garden and in the specially made beach huts with tables and chairs - ideal for the colder weather. Enjoy a a view of famous Happisburgh Lighthouse in the distance.
The Kingfisher Café, Coast Rd, Walcott, Norwich NR12 0AP
Walk here from: Stones Throw and Seaview Cottage and along the cliff top from White Cottage and The Crib.
If you're on the hunt for a traditional English caff, then the Kingfisher is the place for you. It's literally right opposite the beach at Walcott so you can
enjoy your food with the sound of the sea in the background! Packed out during the summer months, this little café comes into its own in winter, when it's much quieter and you can hang out with the friendly locals. As you might imagine the cooked breakfasts are super popular!
"We love the Kingfisher cafe in Walcott! Four of us stayed locally with eight Labradors and we were made very welcome to the cafe! Their full breakfasts are the best!" - Karen Minn
Visit the Kingfisher Café Facebook page
Watsons, Coast Road, Bacton, NR12 0EU
Walk here from: Stones Throw and Seaview Cottage
Cooked breakfasts that feel like they're trying to escape your plate, breakfast baps stacked higher than Norwich Cathedral, boulder-sized scones and cake slices
that are literally as big as your dog's head, Watson's doesn't scrimp when it comes to serving up delicious food. Dogs are made very welcome in the
café, in fact on some days they outnumber the amount of humans in there. The café has free parking at the front and sells a range of pretty makes from local crafters and artists.
"Watsons at Bacton has great all day breakfasts plus lots more. Plus it's super dog friendly. In fact, we've found Norfolk to be extremely dog friendly." - Wendy Garrard
Visit the Watsons Facebook page
The Lion, The Street, Thurne, NR29 3AP
Walk here from: Broads Cottage
Winner of the East Norfolk CAMRA Pub of the Year Award for 2019 The Lion loves dogs and even lists local walks on its website! Your fur babies are allowed in all
sections of the bar area, where you can choose from a wide selection of wines, beers, ciders, gins (there's a whole gin menu so try and get out driving if you
can!) and real ales, there's also lots soft drinks to chose from. The food here is delish, with traditional fayre such as sausage and mash, fish and chips, pie
and mash and steak all present and correct on the menu! There's also pizza, burgers, sandwiches and lots of vegetarian and vegan options.
"I can highly recommend The Lion at Thurne, dogs welcome and a lovely garden too! Opposite the river Thurne so a good walk is essential too! Lots of vegan, vegetarian and GF meals! We love it!" - Laura Jane Doree
