The Gin Trap Inn

The Gin Trap Inn is a characterful pub with rooms in the village of Ringstead, a few miles inland from Hunstanton on the north Norfolk coast, and it is one of the easier places along this stretch to bring a dog. Dog-friendly accommodation is spread across the double and courtyard king rooms above the inn, the executive king rooms and the self-catering cottages, so there is usually something to suit whether you want to be in the thick of it or slightly apart.

What guests travelling with dogs mention most is the staff. Dogs are treated as expected guests rather than tolerated ones, with treats appearing on arrival and no fuss about a dog joining you for dinner or breakfast. There is a covered outdoor area that earns repeated praise, which matters more than it sounds on a wet Norfolk weekend. Food is the other draw: this is a food-led inn, and the kitchen gets consistently strong write-ups from the same guests who came for the dog welcome.

The setting does the rest. Ringstead sits on the edge of big walking country, with the north Norfolk coast path and its beaches a short drive away, the Peddars Way running close by, and open ground straight from the village.

A few honest caveats. The dog-friendly room in the main inn is up in the attic rather than on the ground floor with garden access, and guests have said they would rather it were the other way round, so ask which room or cottage you are being given if easy outdoor access matters. In the more heavily used rooms, a faint doggy smell and stray dog hairs have both been reported, a common trade-off at a genuinely dog-friendly inn but worth knowing. The annual gin festival also brings a band playing in the garden until late, so check your dates if you or your dog are light sleepers. No pet charge or dog limit is published, so confirm both when you book.

Best suited to couples and small groups who want a food-led base with proper coast and countryside walking on the doorstep. It earns a 4.7/5 paw rating.