The Oakhill Inn

The Oakhill Inn is the sort of Somerset village pub that takes dogs as a matter of course, and it is one of the few that will do so in numbers. Guests have arrived with three dogs and been charged nothing extra for them, which is a genuine rarity and the single most useful fact about the place for anyone travelling with more than one. The welcome extends beyond the bedrooms into the bar and dining room, where the regulars seem as unbothered by a dog under the table as the staff are.

Food is what the inn is known for. Guests travelling with dogs single out the roasts, the breakfasts and the evening menu with unusual consistency, and the general verdict is that the cooking is a level above what the setting suggests. Rooms are comfortable and quiet - even directly above a working pub, guests report sleeping well - and the staff draw warm praise from British and overseas visitors alike.

The one practical wrinkle is parking. There is none directly on site, though there is space a few yards up the road. Most guests find it works out fine, but it is worth knowing before you arrive with a car full of dogs and luggage in the rain.

Oakhill sits on the southern edge of the Mendips between Shepton Mallet and Radstock, which puts Wells, Glastonbury and Bath all within easy reach for a day out. The lanes and footpaths around the village give you somewhere to take a dog before dinner without driving anywhere first.

Nothing is published about a weight limit, a breed restriction or a maximum number of dogs, so if you are bringing a pack it is worth a call - though past guests suggest you will get a yes. With a 4.5/5 paw rating, The Oakhill Inn suits dog owners who want a proper pub stay in rural Somerset, with good food, an unfussy welcome and no pet supplement reported by guests.