Recently we were lucky enough to be invited to stay at The Blakeney Manor Hotel, a luxury coastal hotel situated in the charming village of Blakeney on the gorgeous North Norfolk coast, to see for ourselves what a great place it is to stay with dogs. The dog friendly Blakeney Manor has recently been refurbished and as soon as you walk through the doors you are struck by the calm vibe and understated luxury and also how welcoming it is to those on four paws. The location is also fantastic for a dog friendly holiday in North Norfolk, which in my opinion is one of the best destinations for canines in the UK, , with miles of sandy beaches and lots of attractions that welcome pooches with open arms.
Dogs are welcome all over the Blakeney Manor Hotel except in the restaurant, however you are welcome to dine with your dog in either the bar or the conservatory, so there’s no problem there. There are separate menus for the bar and the restaurant, and they are both superb with lots of choice, even for veggies like me. My partner was impressed that there were oysters on offer, although he did not try them this time.
There are several beautiful spaces to relax and have a drink with your dog outdoors as well. We loved sitting in the courtyard but there is also seating in the gorgeous gardens to the rear of the hotel and at the front, where you can sip a glass of wine and admire the sunset with your pooch at your side. Actually the views are magnificent at any time of day, you really do feel at one with nature.
We were lucky enough to stay in a suite on the top floor, so the dogs had plenty of room to stretch their legs and relax. Most of the dog friendly rooms in the hotel though have the added advantage of direct access to a courtyard, and I personally love that sort of set up when travelling with dogs. All the rooms in the hotel have beautiful views and ours was of the estuary, amazing!
Our suite was luxurious and truly gorgeous, it even had a little kitchenette, complete with fridge, coffee machine and microwave. The spaniels homed straight in on the doggy welcome pack, which much to their delight included tennis balls as well as blankets, towels, treats and the obligatory poop bags. There was also a bit of interest in the ornamental china balls on the table in the lounge, so I put them on the kitchen worktop out of reach, just in case!!
Luxury chocolates and cookies were the highlight for the humans and I also adored the luxury bathroom products and fluffy white robes.
Honestly, throughout this luxury boutique, hotel it’s the attention to detail and little touches of luxury (there is even a stunning flower wall) that really enhance a stay here, and I left the hotel feeling restored and reenergised and so did my dogs!
Blakeney itself exudes old-world charm and natural beauty, with its quaint brick and flint cottages, picturesque harbour, and views to die for it’s easy to see why Blakeney is a popular destination for visitors from all over the world. Blakeney is also renowned for its culinary delights, with numerous restaurants and cafes serving up delicious seafood dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, and there is no better place to eat than Blakeney Manor! The food there is sublime. If you do want to take a wander and have a beer or eat elsewhere we found most places to be dog friendly.
One of the main attractions in Blakeney is its vast and unspoiled marshland, which is home to a variety of bird species, including oystercatchers, curlews, and terns. There are numerous walking trails in the area, allowing visitors to explore the marshes and enjoy the stunning scenery.. Outside of nesting season (1st April to 15th August) you can actually walk to Blakeney Point from the hotel with your dog, but I have never done this myself as our forays to North Norfolk have always coincided with the dog ban.
The good news is though that you don’t have to miss out on seeing the seals, there are a number of boat trips on offer that are dog friendly so it’s all good at whatever time of year you go!
Dog Friendly Attractions in North Norfolk
As a dog owner, I understand the importance of making sure there are dog-friendly places to visit when deciding where to stay, because no matter how welcoming to your pooch your accommodation is, we all know dogs want to explore! Luckily, North Norfolk is a paradise for dog owners, with it’s huge sandy beaches, and numerous pet-friendly attractions so there were lots of adventures to be had for my spaniels.
Here are some of the best things to do with your furry friend within 30 minutes drive of Blakeney, North Norfolk.
- So we all know that the highlight of any holiday for out pooches is a trip to the beach and North Norfolk boasts some of the most dog-friendly beaches in the UK. From the wide-open sands of Holkham Beach and Brancaster to the picturesque pebble beach of Cley and coves of Shreringham, there is something for every type of dog. When we visited there were some seasonal restrictions on parts of these beaches but there were huge swathes of sand where the dogs could bound around and enjoy themselves.
My don’t miss recommendation when it comes to enjoying a day at the beach with your pooch in North Norfolk though is Wells-next-the sea, fringed by pine trees and quirky beach huts it literally has acres of white sand for dogs to run and have fun on, just be mindful that the tide comes in fast here, in summer there is even a siren to alert you! There is also a really dog friendly pub right at the beach car park and you can take a beautifully scenic dog walk to Holkham Beach and back if your dog gets fed up playing on the beach but still has energy.
- Visit Holkham Hall – This magnificent 18th-century mansion is set in over 3,000 acres of beautiful parkland and has numerous dog-friendly walks to enjoy. The cafe is dog-friendly and Maya and Lucia love visiting, especially in the summer months.
- What dog doesn’t love a trip on a steam train? Well OK I don’t think my dogs are really that bothered but I love it and it’s great that the North Norfolk Railway is dog friendly, albeit that the pooches have to pay their own way! ( Dog fare £3.00 ) You can really get a taste of what the North Norfolk Coast has to offer on the journey and it’s a good thing to do if you’re unlucky with the weather or your pooch needs a rest from frolicking on the beach.
- Perhaps the best dog friendly attraction in North Norfolk are the boat trips to see the seals at Blakeney Point as I mentioned earlier. We used Blakeney Point Seal trips and found them to be excellent. Honestly this is an unmissable adventure if you go to this part of the world and my spaniels genuinely enjoy a boat ride.
- There are several country estates managed by the National Trust in the area and all have fabulous dog walks to enjoy. During the bird nesting season dogs have to be kept on leads but for the rest of the year they are allowed their freedom on most walks as long as they are kept under close control. Blicking Estate, Felbrigg Hall and Sheringham Park all have dog friendly cafes and ample bowls of water to make your pooch feel welcome. There is also a lovely Bluebell Woods just round the corner from Blicking, parking is at the Woodgate NT car park so don’t miss that if you visit in late April/May.
6. I know lots of you like to bag a trig point when you are on a dog friendly holiday, and guess what you can even do that! The a short climb to the top of Beeston Bump at Sheringham rewards you with amazing views of the coastline, and a trig point!
7. Cromer Pier is dog friendly and my dogs seem to love a stroll along it, there is also a great beach there, however the beach is subject to a seasonal dog ban from 1st May to 30th September.
We thoroughly enjoyed our dog friendly stay at The Blakeney Manor, and my spaniels had the time of their lives exploring all that North Norfolk has to offer furry guests.
To find out more about the hotel and to book your stay visit the hotels website here
A huge thanks to everyone at the hotel for hosting and inviting us.
Love
Sal, Maya and Lucia xxxx
We received a gifted stay at The Blakeney Manor in exchange for writing this article, but all views are my own