The Boat Inn, Hayton

The Boat Inn is a country pub with rooms in the village of Hayton, just outside Retford in north Nottinghamshire, sitting close to the Chesterfield Canal. It is first and foremost a proper local pub with a well-regarded kitchen, and it happily takes dogs - which makes it a useful, characterful overnight stop for owners exploring the area or breaking a longer journey.

What guests travelling with dogs enjoy most is the pub itself and the walks around it. The food comes in for consistent praise (the pizzas get a special mention), the bar is welcoming, and the staff and regulars are friendly to visitors and their dogs alike. Dogs are genuinely welcome, and the canal towpath right by the inn gives easy access to good walks and even a swim, so a pet can be properly exercised before settling in for the evening. There is a garden and decent parking too.

It is only fair to be candid about the rooms, because they are the recurring weak point in guest feedback. Several visitors describe their room as small and, in a number of cases, not clean enough - reports of dust, cobwebs and tired decor come up more than once, and a few found the heating needed requesting on arrival. Experiences do vary, and some guests were perfectly comfortable, but the pattern is clear enough that it is worth coming for the pub, the welcome and the walks rather than expecting a polished hotel room. There is also no breakfast offered, and guests consistently mention a dog charge of around twenty-five pounds, added for extra cleaning.

The Boat Inn suits dog owners who want a friendly, genuinely dog-welcoming country pub with excellent food and canal-side walks on the doorstep, and who value character and location over a spotless room. Confirm the current dog fee and room details with the inn directly when you book.