Monday saw the start of the first ever 'London Dog Week' where dog owners are encouraged to celebrate all things dog friendly in the capital. There are numerous exciting pup-centric events being held throughout this week including a fashion show and doggy brunch and you can buy tickets for them all directly on the LDW website.
You may not think it but there are loads of great things to do in London with your dog from visiting tourist attractions to dining out. To celebrate the inaugural 'London Dog Week', we went on a mission to find the best that the capital has to offer in dog friendly (and it's not just standing outside Buckingham Palace)...
1) Book a City Break
First things first, whether you're local to the city or travelling from afar, a hotel break is always needed. After hours of exploring all the city has to offer in dog friendly there's no better feeling than putting your feet up and snuggling up to your favourite TV show. We can think of nowhere more ideal than the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
Just steps away from the central railway terminus, this hotel is perfectly located no matter where you're travelling from. The hotel is just as grand as it looks but don't let that deter you, guests from all walks of life are welcome here - including our pets! Plus, with deluxe rooms and suites available, there's something suitable for everyone.
The Booking Office is located on the ground floor of the hotel and serves modern English cuisine and tasty cocktails. It was actually the original train station ticket hall and makes for the perfect setting for a lovely meal after a busy day. Dogs are allowed inside with you and are provided with water bowls - and as breakfast is served there too they can join you in the morning.
We stayed in a Superior King Bedroom which overlooked the British Library and the station. The room comes with a dressing gown, slippers, TV and an espresso machine. You're also provided with a bowl and a bed for your dog - just what they need after a busy day of exploring...
2) Go for Brunch
Paws for Coffee is known as 'the dog friendly café' and, well, it's exactly that! Almost every customer you see has a dog with them - in fact, it's more unusual if you don't have one with you. Bringing the dog with you is pretty much expected - nay, insisted upon.
Inside there's a little shop with plenty of things for us dog mad people to buy including 'dog mum' jumpers and blankets and bandanas for the pups. The plates and the pillows on the seats are all dog-centric and the staff walk around the café with chopped up sausages to give to each of their waggy tailed customers. We'd go so far as to say this is possibly the most dog friendly café in London!
It isn't just a must-visit for its love of pups though - the food is amazing too! They serve up traditional breakfasts as well as healthy smoothies and salads - all with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. Plus, there's even something for your pup as they have their very own doggy menu! As you enjoy a hearty English breakfast, your pup can gulp down their very own Puppuccino with added chunks of tasty black pudding...
3) Go Shopping
What's a trip to London without doing a spot of shopping? Take the pups for a run in Hyde Park before walking through the aristocratic streets of Belgravia. There's hundreds of niche boutiques to do your shopping in, including Mungo & Maud.
This boutique shop for cats and dogs is packed full with lots of great goodies for your best buddy. They've got everything from Fruit Smoothie treats to leather collars, harnesses and adorable toys - all of the highest quality, of course!
Your pup will be greeted with a biscuit and some fuss while you browse the shop for all of your doggy needs...
4) Visit an Art Gallery
Yes, you read that right! Thanks to The Kennel Club you can now take your dog with you to enjoy some breathtaking artwork of their very own kind. The Art Gallery is located at the Kennel Club headquarters and is home to the largest collection of dog paintings in Europe.
The gallery has regularly changing exhibitions, paintings on loan and also houses the 'Crufts' Best in Show trophy along with a photo of the current proud winner.
It's also home to Europe's biggest dog library with plenty of books, newspapers and journals to read - all about our favourite species! There are even Stud Books and Kennel Club research books to flick through.
The gallery holds regular public tours as well as private ones. Their next public one is in June and you can book on to it here. You do need to let them know in advance that you will be visiting with a dog. The gallery is located right on Green Park so after you've finished browsing, the pups can stretch their legs!
5) Visit Filming Locations
Many big Hollywood blockbusters and popular TV series have been filmed in the capital. Why not step foot (and paw) in the foot prints of famous movie stars and visit some filming locations?
The children's canine classic, 101 Dalmatians was filmed at St James's Park (pictured above). You can enjoy a nice stroll along the lake where Pongo and Perdita met for the first time and fell in love.
Fancy something more Hollywood? Don't worry, there are plenty of places to choose from including Sherlock Holmes's residence of 221B Baker Street which is actually situated on North Gower Street. You can also visit Platform 9 3/4 from the Harry Potter film series at Kings Cross station and go to Regent's Park where The King's Speech was filmed.
If you're a Hitchcock fan like me, there are loads of great filming locations of his to see. Many scenes from his iconic movies were filmed in London, particularly from his penultimate movie, 'Frenzy'.
Like Wilbur, you can stand right outside the house where Brenda Blaney was strangled to death by the necktie murderer. It's situated on the busy streets of Covent Garden market where Bob Rusk worked. Plus, just off the Piazza is the pub where Brenda and her ex-husband worked...
6) Go for Dinner
You've got to go and have a drink at the pub from Hitchcock's 'Frenzy', right?! Since the movie was filmed, the Bow Street Tavern has undergone some refurbishment to ensure that the pub stays in tip top condition but you'll be pleased to know that the original bar is still standing.
So sit at the bar where Frenzy's Richard Blaney got sacked and pick a refreshing gin and tonic from their gin menu or a beer from some of London's best brewers. Then perhaps grab a bite to eat...
There's lots of mouthwatering meals to choose from including burgers, classic dishes and sandwiches. There's also plenty of vegan and veggie options - including battered tofu!
The pub has just been taken over by new management who are in the process of implementing some new things. This includes a doggy bar which they hope to have set up soon. For now though, a big bowl of water and lots of fuss will suffice...
7) Go for a Drink
There are lots of great places to enjoy a refreshing pint across the city. If you're in central London then the Bow Street Tavern is the perfect place to stop for a drink in between exploring. If you're in East London, then the People's Park Tavern is definitely worth a visit...
The pub backs on to Victoria Park (perfect for a post-drink run for the pups) and it is actually the inspiration for the pub. There's a brewery inside and they have their very own beer on tap as well as lots of other local ones.
They're not just a drinking hole though - they also do food, have a games room and they even have mini golf! You're spoilt for choice here. Plus, if you're lucky, you'll get to meet their resident kitty...
If you're visiting somewhere else in the city, then don't worry! Why not check if there's a BrewDog nearby? You can check their nearest locations here. With plenty of BrewDog locations across the country and more opening each day, there's bound to be one near you.
Our favourite is the Seven Dials which is close to Charing Cross and from where we get our train home. The pups are always welcomed with open arms and a bowl of water. As we were nearby, we also went to visit the newly opened pub in Paddington. Located on the waterside, this pub is bound to become a new favourite. It has a K9 Hydration Station and a Paws of Fame Wall - Wilbur and Paisley were added, of course...
We hope you enjoyed reading our blog all about dog friendly London and discovered some new places to go with your pup in the big city. Why not celebrate 'London Dog Week' this weekend and take a trip there? If you're lucky, you may tire them out so much that they fall asleep sitting up...
Don't forget to share some of your pictures with us - we'd love to see them! You can send them here.
We'll be back soon with another blog all about our stay in Suffolk. Until then... Love, nose licks & waggy tails,
From the WildPaws team x