You can’t beat settling down at a pub with a pint in your hand and your dog at your feet. Complete with idyllic countryside settings and cosy interiors, we pick 16 of the best dog-friendly pubs in Devon.

1. The Cary Arms, Babbacombe Bay

After a bracing stroll along the dog-welcoming sands of Babbacombe Bay beach, The Cary Arms will have a dog bowl and comfy bed ready and waiting for your pooch when you arrive. For humans there is a seasonal menu on offer which makes the most of the resources of the surrounding area, with dishes such as Westcountry beef and Brixham battered fish and chips to choose from.

You'll be able to sit on the outdoor patio area with your four-legged friend, and together you can look out over the stunning coastal views that this fantastically located pub has to offer. If you fancy staying the night, The Cary Arms has special dog-friendly rooms that even come with their own balconies, so you and your canine will feel right at home.

2. The Victoria Inn, Salcombe

Positioned just south of Salcombe Harbour, The Victoria Inn will provide you and your dog with the perfect country-pub experience. Exposed stone walls and wooden beams give this pub a really traditional feel and in the winter months you and your furry friend can curl up side-by-side in front of the log burning fire.

In the summer, find a spot in the spectacular beer garden and sample food from the locally sourced menu - try the crab freshly delivered from the harbour, or the meat that has been reared from cattle grazing in the Devon countryside. There is also an array of board games on offer if you fancy settling down for the afternoon, although these might be restricted to human participation only…

3. The George and Dragon, Dartmouth

Nestled in the beautiful Dart Valley is The George and Dragon; this is the ideal pit-stop after a walk with your canine sidekick. With a pint supplied by the nearby St Austell Brewery, relax in the only beer garden in Dartmouth and indulge with one of the pub's superb cakes or sweet treats.

Sunday roasts are also on offer, the perfect end to a walk in the Devonshire countryside. Your dog won't go hungry or thirsty either as the George and Dragon will provide them with their very own water bowl and biscuit, ensuring that everyone's tails are kept wagging.

4. The Pyne Arms, East Down

Discover the hidden gem The Pyne Arms, tucked away in the hamlet of East Down which sits between Barnstaple and Lynton. You and your pooch can go for a ramble in the acres of rolling land surrounding the area, before taking up a pew in the cosy interior. Alternatively find a picnic table in the garden area, the perfect spot for enjoying a bit of peace and quiet (well, apart from the odd bark or pant…).

The bar is well stocked with local guest ales, while the menu in the restaurant makes the most of Devon's natural pantry with dishes such as Gilt Head Bream on offer. With the beautiful countryside setting, you and your dog will be in your own little haven.

5. The Travellers Rest, Whitestone

Whether you've got two legs or four, you will be met with a warm welcome at The Travellers Rest, conveniently situated close to Exeter. Relax in the beer garden with a glass of wine as the Alphin Brook trickles by, and choose from the traditional pub-grub that is offered by the menu.

Your dog can socialise too, since the pub has its very own resident pooch called Guinness. This black lab loves a good tummy rub, and will welcome visitors to his home with a big wet nose and a waggy tail! The beautiful village of Whitestone is a great place for an after-lunch walk with your pooch, or perhaps you'll both choose to stay tucked up in the comfort of the pub instead.

6. The Castle Inn, Lydford

For a taste of history, head to this traditional 16th century inn resting on the fringes of the stunning Dartmoor National Park. It is set in the shadows of Lydford Castle, a prison during the Medieval times - to work up an appetite, take your four-legged pal for a wander here and do your own bit of exploring, or venture around the nearby Lydford Gorge.

You'll have log fires and a friendly atmosphere awaiting your arrival at the Castle Inn, with hearty favourites such as sausages and mash on offer. Your dog can stay with you overnight in one of the traditional rooms, and if you have your own horse they can come along too and stay in the pub's very own stables! As a result, this truly is a pub for the whole family, with its beautiful settings making it the ideal retreat.

7. The Old Station House Inn, Kentisbury

This converted railway station forming part of the Lynton to Barnstaple line is an ideal spot for enjoying a summer's day with your best friend by your side. Sit in the beer garden with a pint chosen from the extensive drinks menu, and look out over the spectacular views that surround you.

The pub even has its own shop, selling locally produced goods such homemade jam and chutney - your pooch hasn't gone forgotten either, as the shop also sells gourmet dog food. Bordering the Exmoor National Park, there are wonderful walks just on your door step where your dog can roam around to their heart's content.

8. The Devon Arms, Torquay

Dogs, children and pirates alike are invited in to The Devon Arms. This pub's idyllic positioning down a private lane gives it an aura of calm and relaxation, despite the fact it is located just a few minutes away from the bustling town of Torquay.

The pub's home cooked roast dinners are renowned for being some of the favourites in the area, which you can enjoy in the traditional interior with your canine pal at your feet. Afterwards, take the two minute walk down to the picturesque harbour and enjoy the coastal views, where of course your pooch is welcome too.

9. The Grove Exmouth

The Grove boasts to have some of the best seaside views in Exmouth and a trip to the pub's beer garden will explain why. With the stunning panoramic views out to sea, it isn't hard to see why this pub is such a popular sun trap.

Relax with your canine under a parasol as you watch the calming sea nearby and lots of open space in the beer garden means your dog will have plenty of room to play. The pub has lots of tasty food on offer too. We've heard the Exmouth mussels are collected daily from the dockside and taste great with a pint of The Grove's very own Young's beer in hand. As the sun goes down, the pub's garden is lit up with fairy lights, creating a spectacular atmosphere that will make you feel as though you're on holiday.

10. The Cromwell Arms, Bovey Tracey

With its stunning positioning on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, the town of Bovey Tracey is fondly known as the 'Gateway to the Moors'. The Cromwell Arms is a pub making the most of this beautiful setting, and thanks to its location in the heart of the town it is the ideal base for exploring the region with your pooch at your side.

After a walk around the Devonshire countryside, sample one of the cask ales in the beer garden or try a locally brewed cider for a taste of the area. If you can't bear to tear yourself away from this rural retreat, the whole family (dogs included, of course) are welcome to stay in one of the spacious guest rooms.

11. The Royal Oak, Nadderwater

A well-known haven for dog walkers and ramblers, Nadderwater is a beautiful Devonshire hamlet conveniently located just on the outskirts of Exeter. The charming country pub of the Royal Oak has a menu with all of the old favourites on offer, with a particularly tasty looking dessert selection that will be far too good to resist. You can even go for a wander in the stunning countryside to burn it off, so it is a win, win all round.

In the meantime, there is something to keep everyone happy: humans can delve in to the extensive selection of board games, or browse for that perfect read on the bookshelves. For your dog, there is a large beer garden, perfect for sniffing and making friends.

12. The Warren House Inn, Postbridge

In the very centre of Dartmoor National Park, you will find the refuge of the Warren House Inn. Although it may be set in the middle of nowhere, here you'll find a very warm welcome for dogs and their humans alike. Claiming to have a log fire that has been burning since 1845, the pub's traditional interior with original beams will make it a place that you won't want to leave.

Try their famous Warreners Pie which is a rabbit feast cooked to the pub's special secret recipe - the inn's food is well tried and tested, having once filled the tummies of the hungry miners who worked nearby. With breathtaking views out over Dartmoor, this is the perfect spot for whiling away an afternoon with man's best friend.

13. The Fisherman's Arms, Plymouth

Thought to be one of Plymouth's oldest freehouses, the hidden gem of the Fisherman's Arms will provide you and your pooch with a warm welcome. You will literally be sitting in a piece of history, since the pub features part of a wall from the old Plymouth Castle dating well back to the 14th century.

To say that this pub is dog friendly is an understatement, since canines have their very own menu on offer here. They can choose from chicken or sausage with vegetables or biscuits and then wash it all down with a pint of 'Snuffles', a beer specifically for your four-legged friends. Humans won't go hungry either, with a menu serving all the pub classics and a selection of platters that are great for sharing.

14. The Old Inn, Widecombe in the Moor

With spectacular gardens offering views out over the surrounding countryside, the Old Inn is the ideal walking destination for humans and their furry companions. After a ramble across Dartmoor, you'll be greeted with a well earned cream tea, or perhaps you could choose from the Old Inn's fantastic selection of burgers. Eagle eyed pooches will also spot a jar of dog treats on the bar counter, so they will be kept happy too.

While the afternoon away tucked up in one of the pub's cosy nooks; the perfect escape from day to day life. If the sun is shining, sit outside next to the log burning fire as a stream meanders by, and enjoy your own slice of tranquillity. There are even free roaming ducks and chickens for your dog to make friends with, so everyone will be kept happy.

15. The Sloop Inn, Bantham

Just a stone's throw away from the surfing paradise (and dog friendly) beach of Bantham, you will find this charming 14th century pub. Nestled in the South Hams Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The Sloop Inn offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the county. After a bracing stroll along the south west coastal path with your pooch at your side, reward yourself by choosing from the pub's excellent menu.

Although the food on offer changes daily depending on the local fayre available, it is well-known for its wonderful beer battered fish and chips. Afterwards you can venture down to the mouth of the River Avon, with sandy shores that are perfect for both doggy and human paddling.

16. Elizabethan Inn, Newton Abbot

The Elizabethan Inn's beautiful location right in the heart of the farming community of Newton Abbot is reflected in its menus. The chefs strive to use produce from North Devon wherever possible, with all dishes being prepared on the premises using either their own recipes or great classics. Dating back to the 16th century, the pub's history can be felt in its traditional interior, although there is also a modern twist which gives it a contemporary edge.

Pooches are more than welcome to keep their owners company in the bar area or beer gardens, and the surrounding countryside of Luton is the perfect location for you to take an after-lunch stroll together. Moor Brook also flows nearby, where your four legged friends can go for a paddle if they're feeling adventurous!


This article was updated by Martha Griffiths in July 2021.