The Old Tea House

The Old Tea House is a genuinely special place to stay with a dog: a bed and breakfast suite inside one of Dorchester's oldest buildings, dating back to 1635, above a traditional tea room in the heart of the county town. Dogs aren't just accepted here, they're made a fuss of, and guests travelling with dogs come away talking as much about the welcome as the history.

The characterful suite has a four-poster bed, its own private living room and bathroom, and the sort of period charm you'd expect from a building this old. Breakfast is a highlight - a proper full cooked breakfast - and dog owners delight in the little touches, like a sausage appearing for the dog each morning. The host is warm and full of stories about the house, and there's a walled tea garden to enjoy.

Up to three dogs are welcome, which is generous for a suite of this size, and the central Dorchester location means everything is on the doorstep: independent shops, the town's museums, and easy access to the wider Dorset countryside and the Jurassic Coast for longer walks. It's a town-centre base rather than a rural cottage, so walks start with a short stroll through Dorchester rather than straight onto open fields, but there's plenty of green space within easy reach.

The Old Tea House suits owners who love character, history and a warm personal welcome, and who want a dog-friendly bolthole right in the middle of a classic Dorset market town. Any pet charge isn't published, so it's worth confirming when you book. For a characterful town-centre stay where your dog will be thoroughly spoiled, it earns a 4.5/5 paw rating.