The Oak House Hotel team is full of dog lovers, so it’s important to us that your four-legged friends can join you on your holiday. We know just how hard it can be to find a dog-friendly hotel – which is why dogs are as welcome as you are at The Oak House Hotel!
We understand the joys which come with bringing your pet on holiday – after all, they’re part of the family. Whether you’re visiting us in January or July, rain or sun, there’s a place for all of you here.
Your pup (or pups!) will feel pampered in their very own comfy bed in your hotel room. We’ll also provide biscuits and a bowl for them, and we even have dog-friendly ice cream available from Marshfield Farm for your beloved pooch to enjoy whilst you enjoy your own human-friendly ice cream!
We charge just £15 per dog per stay, so it won’t cost the earth to bring your furry pal along on your next holiday.
Source: Marshfield Farm
Our Location: Dog-friendly Hotel Near Cheddar
We’re lucky to be located at the foot of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, just a few miles northwest of Cheddar village. Our gorgeous little town goes by the name of Axbridge and is packed full of history. Parts of the Oak House Hotel date back to the 11th century – we predict your dog will particularly enjoy our large inglenook fireplace…
As well as beautiful walks through Axbridge’s narrow, medieval streets, there’s plenty to do in the surrounding area to tire out those legs before you head back to the hotel. Explore Cheddar’s prehistoric caves, hike up Black Down or enjoy some of the area’s beautiful National Trust sites – with your dogs!
Check out our other blog to discover 12 Things To Do in Cheddar, Somerset.
Dog-friendly Things to Do in Somerset
Cheddar Gorge
Cheddar Gorge is a natural limestone gorge located just a stone’s throw away from our dog-friendly hotel in Axbridge. It is famous for its dramatic landscapes which range from towering limestone cliffs to deep ravines, plus natural caves home to centuries of history and fascinating geology. These caves include Gough’s Cave, where the iconic Cheddar Man was discovered, and Cox’s Cave, which offers an immersive historic storytelling experience. And the best part? Your dogs can join you in all of Cheddar Gorge’s attractions (as long as they’re kept on a lead and are well-behaved).
Cheddar Gorge also offers various hiking trails that you can explore with your dog, just make sure to keep your dog on a lead throughout the area. After you’ve exhausted yourselves with a hike up Jacob’s Ladder and a few hours of exploring the rich variety of flora and fauna along the cliff tops, you can enjoy a picnic or grab a bite to eat at the café near Gough’s Cave.
Read more about the area’s attractions in our blog, Things To Do in Somerset: Cheddar Gorge and Caves.
West Somerset Railway
The West Somerset Railway is a heritage railway running between Minehead and Taunton, about a 45 minute drive from our dog-friendly hotel near Cheddar. The historic steam locomotives, coaches and wagons will take you on a scenic journey through the gorgeous countryside at the foot of the Quantock Hills AONB. Your four-legged friends are welcome to join you on your journey for just £3 per dog as long as they are well behaved!
There’s the opportunity to hop off at any of the stations along the way to take your dog on scenic walks in the surrounding areas. Many of the stations are situated in picturesque villages such as Bishops Lydeard, Crowcombe Heathfield, Stogumber and Williton.
The West Somerset Railway often hosts special events and themed train rides throughout the year. These events can be fun for the whole family, including your dog, so check their schedule for any upcoming dog-friendly events.
The Strawberry Line
The Mendip Hills, located just a few minutes’ walk from our dog-friendly accommodation in Somerset, are a fantastic place to explore with your dog. The hills feature diverse flora and fauna, dramatic gorges and lush woodlands: the Strawberry Line, a traffic-free walking and cycling path, connects Yatton to Cheddar, offering a range of experiences for nature enthusiasts, geology aficionados, and history buffs. We’re lucky enough to be situated right on the line, making our hotel the perfect base to enjoy all the Strawberry Line walk has to offer.
The trail is accessible to all, including families, wheelchair users, and cyclists, as it is mostly flat. It passes through charming villages with unique attractions and offers a chance to explore the surrounding hills, gorges, and woodlands. The northern part of the Strawberry Line passes through Yatton, where you can explore the Biddle Street Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to a diverse ecosystem with various wildlife. You can also walk through the 165-metre tunnel beneath Shute Shelve Hill for a unique experience for geology and biology enthusiasts, with the possibility of spotting various bat species and rare cave spiders.
Glastonbury
Source: Bristol Barkers
Glastonbury is a charming village about half an hour from our dog-friendly accommodation near Cheddar. Glastonbury is of course first and foremost known for the iconic music festival, but there is so much more to the village than that. When visiting Glastonbury village with your dog, you’ll find there’s plenty to do, including touring the beautiful gardens of historic sites like Glastonbury Abbey and Chalice Well. The latter is at the foot of the famous Glastonbury Tor, a hill with a medieval tower perched on its summit – another great place to explore with your dog. In fact, the village is surrounded by countryside full of various walking trails and hiking routes including the Glastonbury Circular Walk and the West Mendip Way.
National Trust Sites
When you visit Somerset, you’ll find you can barely move without running into a gorgeous National Trust site, most of which are dog-friendly. The National Trust has recently added a new pawprint rating system to help dog owners understand how dog-friendly each place is. The following National Trust sites are rated two pawprints, which means they have water bowls, dog bins and dog-friendly walks. Generally, your dog will need to stay on a lead, and you may not be able to bring them inside – but check the specific rules of each site before you visit.
- Horner Wood, Exmoor – one of the biggest ancient oak woods in Britain
- Fyne Court, Bridgwater – historic wild garden hidden in the Quantock Hills
- Barrington Court, near Ilminster – Tudor manor house with beautiful garden rooms, avenues and orchards to explore
- Dunster Castle, Exmoor – ancient castle overlooking a riverside wooded garden and watermill
- Lytes Cary Manor, Somerton – intimate manor house with an arts and crafts-style garden
- Montacute House, near Yeovil – stunning mansion from the Elizabethan renaissance
Dog-friendly Wedding Venue
We’re not just a dog-friendly hotel – we’re also a dog-friendly wedding venue in Somerset! We believe your furry pals should be part of as much of your special day as you want – just check out our blog on dog-friendly weddings.
At The Oak House, we pride ourselves on providing a comfortable, relaxed and personal wedding day without compromising on our exceptional service standards. Our team of highly skilled chefs will create a delicious wedding menu tailored to your tastes and budget, with our friendly front of house staff there to look after you for the day.
Our beautifully restored 17th century building offers a unique wedding ceremony and reception experience for up to 120 guests in a breathtaking location. We’re an exclusive-use venue, with our 10 luxury bedrooms all yours for the day.
Our all-inclusive wedding packages are designed to keep your special day as stress-free as possible, and include the support of our experienced wedding coordinator throughout the planning process. If you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for in our packages, get in touch with us to discuss your vision!
Are you looking for dog-friendly accommodation in Somerset?
We offer 5-star accommodation in Axbridge, just 3 miles north-west of Cheddar. We also have beautiful spaces available for private hire events including weddings.
For more information or to book your stay with us, take a look at our availability calendar and get in touch!