There are loads of dog friendly places to hang out in Tunbridge Wells. This town is obsessed with our four-legged friends. As dog owners and canine fans ourselves, we’ve put together the definitive guide to the best cafes, restaurants and pubs to take your dogs in and around Tunbridge Wells.
Loads of our fab readers gave us some brilliant tips on where to take dogs when Clare, My Tunbridge Wells founder, got her dog. We decided they were too good to gatekeep, so we’re sharing the intel with you. Let us know if there’s anywhere we’ve missed – your tips are always fantastic!
Cafes, restaurants and pubs that welcome dogs…
♥ Sip & Slide on Camden Road is a brilliant new addition to Tunbridge Wells, serving up big-flavour burgers, wings and craft beers alongside cocktails and wines. The vibe is warm, relaxed and easygoing – the kind of place you can pop into and end up staying a while. Even better, they’re dog friendly (with treats on hand!), making it a great casual stop-off with your pup.
♥ TN1, also on Monson Road, gets rave reviews for cocktails, food and live music. And dog owners love it too, as they allow canine companions.
♥ The Daily Bread serves the best bacon sandwiches in Tunbridge Wells, as well as fresh bread (clue is in the name) and lots of yummy lunch, brunch and breakfast items. They also welcome dogs and it’s close to Rusthall Common for a run around before or afterwards.
♥ Dogs are welcome at Trinity Theatre Cafe, a hub for the community with some gorgeous looking homemade sweetness, great coffee and lunch options. I have spent many hours here with friends when my kids were younger and love that I can now bring my pooch too.
♥ The Compasses in the centre of Tunbridge Wells in “The Village” area is one of the best pubs in Tunbridge Wells. It’s got a warm friendly atmosphere, often shows live sport and they welcome dogs.
♥ The Salehurst Halt is a family-run pub in Salehurst, near Robertsbridge. Their seasonal menu focuses on local producers and is really varied. They also serve cask real ale and even their own homemade lemonade. Plus, of course, they’re dog friendly. A good choice if you’re on way to or from Rye and Camber, perhaps?
♥ The Ragged Trousers on The Pantiles is a My Tunbridge Wells favourite. It’s got a fab range of beers, wine, cocktails and food – and they also welcome dogs too.
♥ The Star, Matfield is a traditional English village pub on the green in Matfield. As well as a nice little play ground outside for kids, they welcome dogs too.
♥ The Grove Tavern in the village area of Tunbridge Wells has very loyal clientele. It’s so tucked away you might miss it, but a good one for a quiet drink for you and your dog. Their website could do with an update though… probably best to check them out on Facebook.
♥ The Hub, Bodiam welcome well-behaved dogs on leads in their cafe. This is a great spot for lunch for adults and kids. There’s also a nice playground outside, and you can even go boating and paddleboarding here. Plus there’s a campsite.
♥ The Old Auction House on the Pantiles Tunbridge Wells is another popular place with dog walkers. There’s plenty of space, it’s in a lovely part of Tunbridge Wells and they have dog treats too!
♥ Corkk is the perfect stop for both you and your dog! This cosy wine store and bar offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere for everyone, including pups. While you indulge in exploring over 120 handpicked wines from English vineyards and beyond, your dog can relax by your side.
♥ The George & Dragon, Speldhurst is a wonderful and welcoming pub. It’s cosy and traditional outside, with a nice modern garden to sit in if the weather is good. Dogs and human alike are welcomed with open arms.
♥ Freestyle Cafe serves up a range of hearty breakfasts, brunches and light bites, and is very dog friendly. Their cakes look amazing! This could be the perfect pitstop after a dog walk around Bewl Water.
♥ The Black Sheep is a new and welcome addition to Mount Pleasant Road in Tunbridge Wells and word on the street is that they serve Puppuccinos! We can’t wait to take our cuddly friends in there with us.
♥ Grey’s Cafe, Brenchley is super child friendly, and apparently welcomes dogs too! Their menu is great for veggies, vegans and gluten-free folks.
♥ The Carpenter’s Arms is a great little pub in Tonbridge, with a fab garden. They also welcome dogs here, so great for a pint with your pooch.
Plenty more places to take your dog in Tunbridge Wells coming up
♥ Ruby’s the vegan cafe and bakery on Monson Road in Tunbridge Wells is more than happy to see dogs popping by for a flat white ‘n’ cupcake.
♥ Caffe Nero by Five Ways and on the High Street in Tunbridge Wells allow dogs. Treat yourself to a speedy coffee and muffin with your dog in tow.
♥ The Greyhound Charcott is an award-winning country pub in Leigh, near Tonbridge. It’s actually really easy to get there by train, if you get off at Penshurst (change at Tonbridge if you’re coming from Tunbridge Wells). They welcome four-legged friends.
♥ Kingdom in Penshurst is a fabulous place to take your dog. Enjoy a quick walk around the grounds first, help yourself to a dog treat when you venture into the cafe and soak but the ‘ski chalet’ style atmosphere!
♥ The Little Brown Jug is such a fab pub, with a huge garden, great food menu and a playground for the kids. They also accommodate dogs. Check it out!
♥ The Rock Inn in Chiddingstone serves delicious local produce on their menu, and is a really sweet pub with some nice outdoor space. Dogs are welcome, of course!
♥ The Castle Inn is fab for Sunday lunch and evening meals – their steaks look unmatched. They also are a pub in Chiddingstone that allows dogs.
We’ve got loads more dog-friendly places in Tunbridge Wells… keep reading…
♥ Halfway House, Brenchley is great for real ale and has a huge garden outside that’s great for kids and dogs alike.
♥ The Chequers, Lamberhurst has been recently renovated but still retains its village-pub charm. Expect modern pub fare on the menu, and a warm welcome for dogs and their owners (and everyone else too!)
♥ The White Hart, Sevenoaks is a pretty pub that does live music, a great menu (including a kids’ menu) and they’re dog friendly too!
♥ The Earl Grey Tearooms is a cute cafe in Southborough. Their afternoon teas, cakes and hot chocolates are all perfection. This is a great spot for families and those who want to bring their dogs with them.
♥ The Hand & Sceptre also in Southborough overlooking The Common and cricket club, has just undergone a refurbishment. It’s great for families, is a nice large pub if you’re having a big gathering and they are dog friendly, of course.
♥ The Imperial is another Southborough pub, loved by locals who live in Southborough. The chef there used to be head chef at The Ivy, and he serves up traditional Italian food. Dogs are welcome in the bar area.
Keep reading for more dog-friendly pubs and cafes in Tunbridge Wells
♥ The Mount Edgcumbe in the heart of Tunbridge Wells Common is the perfect place to grab lunch or a drink after a dog walk – your dog is welcome too, obviously.
♥ The Hare, Langton Green is situated on the corner of the village green, and is a firm favourite pub locally in Tunbridge Wells. There’s an outside patio, a bar area and a dining room. Dogs are welcome!
♥ The Claremont is a buzzy little pub on Grove Hill Road near Tunbridge Wells train station. There’s a courtyard garden out the back, with a garden bar. They welcome canine companions.
♥ The Shuffle House is fab for a fun afternoon or evening out. They serve tapas and pizza, as well as some crazy cocktails. There’s shuffleboards upstairs you can book too. Apparently they welcome dogs.
♥ The Buzz is a relatively recent opening on The Pantiles. They take over most of the courtyard by the Spring, and apparently they’re doggy friendly.
♥ The Vineyard is fantastic as a crowd pleaser pub. It’s got a huge garden with playground and table tennis tables, a outdoor bar and a fantastic long food menu, including a great kids’ menu. Dog friendly too, we hear and they event have a ‘pooch of the month’ over on Instagram!
♥ Fine Grind is an indy coffee shop in Tunbridge Wells. It’s at the end of the high street, so a great location if you’re starting or ending a walk on The Common. They welcome dogs and their owners.
♥ Fenwicks Cafe was an unexpected one of this list, but yes indeed, apparently Fenwicks Cafe welcome dogs. This big cafe on the top level of Fenwicks is a favourite for new parents with plenty of buggy space – and for dog owners, too apparently.
♥ Basil in St John’s and on Lime Hill Road serves delicious cakes, salads, breakfasts and lunches, and are only to see dogs around the cafe.
♥ The Tiger Tavern also in St John’s always gets a shout out when we ask people for pub recommendations. Apparently it’s not just humans who love this pub – dogs are often seen in there too.
There are some dog-friendly places a little outside of Tunbridge Wells too!
♥ Lime Wharf Cafe out near Bodiam is a really lovely cafe with excellent cakes and delicious light lunches. Here you can camp outside the back, launch kayaks and paddleboards from their launch jetty – and you can doggos along for the ride, too.
♥ Tonbridge Old Fire Station is tucked slightly back from the High Street in Tonbridge. It’s a fun little bar by night and cafe during the day. We heard they are very dog friendly.
♥ Eggs Eleven is fab for hearty breakfasts on The Pantiles. Their eggs royale and pancakes are some of the best in Tunbridge Wells. Happily they also let you take your dog for breakfast too.
♥ Sweet Fifteen is the sister of Eggs Eleven and is a cafe and ice cream parlour on The Pantiles. They also welcome pooches.
♥ Hattons is also on The Pantiles and is fab for light lunches, brunches, cake and all the rest you’d hope from a cafe. You can sit here on a sunny morning watching the world go by on The Pantiles – and so can your dog.
♥ The Spotted Dog over in Smarts Hill near Penshurst is a real gem of a pub. There’s some great terraces to sit and admire the bucolic view, and as the name might suggest, dogs are very much part of the DNA at this pub.
♥ Nevill Crest & Gun has the perfect location on the Eridge Road, just near the Eridge Rocks Nature Reserve and Broadwater Warren – the ideal place for dog walks. Top off your dog walk with a trip to this fab pub, who will welcome you and your pup with a smile.
Is Tunbridge Wells the most dog-friendly place in the UK?!
♥ The White Bear on the High Street in Tunbridge Wells is a firm favourite with dog owners. The friendly staff treat pups like kings/queens, and it’s a really comfy pub with a good wine list. No better way to spend a Sunday.
♥ Charlie’s Angels Kitchens is fabulous addition to Camden Road in Tunbridge Wells. This one is a few doors down from The World of Sewing. The community cafe has a firm focus on banishing food waste, has a pay-what-you-think policy and they are dog friendly. What’s not to like?
♥ The Guinea on Calverley Road is a really friendly pub, with a great courtyard out back, a good cocktail menu, an open fire and a dog-friendly door policy.
♥ Allkin Tap & Bottle is just a few doors up from The Guinea, and is a bijou tap room that serves some great craft beer and natural wine. They also let you BYO dog.
♥ The Bottle House enjoys the status of being a firm favourite countryside pub near Tunbridge Wells. It’s also in the Smarts Hill/Penshurst area, is well known for its outstanding menu and is also pooch approved.
♥ Abergavenny Arms in Frant is famed for its excellent Sunday roasts and a pretty decent wine list too. But did you know they also welcome pups? Well you do now.
♥ The Sussex is tucked just behind The Pantiles, and is a well-loved live-music venue and pub with plenty of regulars. Some of those regulars might just be of the canine variety – they love dogs here.
♥ The Beau Nash up tucked behind Mount Ephraim is a really lovely old pub, with a little outdoor space and the staff are always pleased to see you and your doggy friend.
♥ The Allotment near St James in Tunbridge Wells is a favourite with many locals who live near it. It’s also a fave of dog owners, as they’re always friendly to dogs.
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