A pleasant dog walk and a cosy pub in which to relax...does life get any better? Howard Bradbury chooses some favourite walkies involving a pub which will welcome both you and your four-legged friend, time after time.

Great British Life: Couple walking on Offa's Dyke Path. The Druid Inn is on this routeCouple walking on Offa's Dyke Path. The Druid Inn is on this route (Image: © Crown copyright (2013) Visit Wales, all rights reserved)

Llanferres

The pub: The Druid Inn, Ruthin Road, Llanferres, Denbighshire CH7 5SN. It’s a cosy olde worlde pub and restaurant (steaks, hearty pub grub staples) with rooms, set in lovely countryside between Mold and Ruthin.

The walk: There is a four-mile appetite-sharpening stroll to be had from Llanferres to Maeshafn and back, taking in woodland and fields. Helpfully, there is a map and full directions, produced by the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB. If you have more time and energy, though, there are much longer walks nearby, including the 122-mile Clwydian Way footpath and the mighty Offa’s Dyke path - a 177-mile, 12-day hike.

Rover says: Lots of lovely countryside to explore and trees to sniff. At the Druid Inn, I’m allowed in the bar and even in the room if we’re staying over. And I’m not the only hound at this hostelry; word has spread about its dog-friendliness.

Great British Life: Pont Y Pair Inn, Betws-y-Coed. Photo by Mike Smith (CC BY-SA 2.0)Pont Y Pair Inn, Betws-y-Coed. Photo by Mike Smith (CC BY-SA 2.0) (Image: not Archant)

Betws-y-Coed

The pub: The Pont Y Pair Inn, Holyhead Rd, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0BN. It’s a traditional inn, close to the centre of this popular hub in Snowdonia, with rooms, a beer garden and restaurant serving local fare, home-made pies a speciality.

The walk: You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to walks in this area. One moderate walk takes you over the Pont Y Pair Bridge, on to a woodland path beside the River Llugwy until you reach a vantage point with a view of Swallow Falls. You continue beside the river to the famous Ugly House (it’s a tea room now, but the origins of this roughly-built stone structure are shrouded in mystery). There and back is a five-mile walk. For full directions, go to www.snowdon-walks.co.uk.

Rover says: Usually I like nothing better than gallumphing into a river in pursuit of a stick, but this river looks a bit fierce. Still, it’s a nice walk, and the pub is happy to have me in the bar area and even the rooms.

Great British Life: The King's Head, Llandudno,will welcome you and your dogThe King's Head, Llandudno,will welcome you and your dog (Image: not Archant)

Llandudno

The pub: The Kings Head, Old Rd, Llandudno, LL30 2NB. Reputedly the oldest pub in Llandudno, dating back to the late 18th century, it is said that Lord Mostyn planned the building of the resort as we now know it while dining here. The food is hearty fare such as sausage and mash, steaks, burgers and fish and chips.

The walk: The King’s Head is right beside the Great Orme Tramway, and, let’s face it, there is only one walk in Llandudno that really matters...the one which takes you to the top of the mountain. Visit Llandudno has several suggested walks with downloadable maps and information. If you have a particularly lazy pooch, you could take the tramway, saving your energy for exploring the summit and the walk back down.

Rover says: It’s bracing up there, but there are sheep, and even wild Kashmiri goats, so I can’t run wild. Back at the King’s Head, I’m welcome in the stone-floored part of the pub.

Great British Life: The White Eagle in RhoscolynThe White Eagle in Rhoscolyn (Image: not Archant)

Rhoscolyn

The pub: The White Eagle, Rhoscolyn, Isle of Anglesey, LL65 2NJ. Swish-looking pub-restaurant on a narrow, twisty lane to Rhoscolyn beach, acquired last year by 16 Hospitality, owners of The Swan, Tarporley. Expect superior gastropub dishes and fresh local seafood.

The walk: Keep heading down that twisty lane past the pub until you reach a car park. Walk down the right hand edge of Rhoscolyn beach, up a slipway and then take footpath signs to your right. You soon find yourself on headland leading up to a coastguard station with spectacular views . Continue on the coastal path and you reach a sea arch which you can walk over...while keeping a firm hold on any pets or children, of course!

Rover says: It’s good to feel the wind in my fur on that walk along the cliffs, but with lots of tempting sheep to chase, I’ve got to stay on a lead. At the White Eagle, I’m welcome on the massive decking area, the garden and inside, but only in the back room.

Great British Life: St Tudwal's Inn, AbersochSt Tudwal's Inn, Abersoch (Image: not Archant)

Abersoch

The pub: St Tudwal’s Inn, Stryd Fawr, Abersoch, Gwynedd LL53 7DS. It’s a pub with four rooms to let, Robinsons cask ales on offer, an outdoor play area for the kids and a menu featuring best of British.

The walk: The Cim Farm circular walk is an apt choice here. Why? Because it affords you views of St Tudwal’s Islands (adventurer Bear Grylls owns one of the islands) before you repair to the St Tudwal’s Inn for refreshment. The walk is only 3.2miles and takes you along a section of the All Wales Coastal Footpath. Go to abersoch.co.uk, click on ‘activities’ and ‘walking’ and you will find a link not only to a good map and directions for the Cim Farm walk, but also a PDF of several other walks.

Rover says: We are walking through farm land with livestock, so I can’t rampage off the leash. Perhaps I can have a run along the beach before we go to St Tudwal’s Inn, where I am very welcome providing I am well-behaved, which I am...most of the time.

Great British Life: Groes Inn, ConwyGroes Inn, Conwy (Image: not Archant)

Conwy

The Pub: The Groes Inn, Tyn y Groes,Conwy LL32 8TN. When it first refreshed weary travellers in 1573, this coaching inn was the first licensed house in Wales. Fabulous views over the Conwy valley, hearty and superior pub grub. Expect lots of local produce on the menu and their ‘Groesmade’ ice creams in ‘wonderful and weird flavours’. It has 14 guest bedrooms, including ‘possibly the best log cabin in Britain’.

The walk: You can’t go too far wrong in this area as long as you stick to the footpaths. As a starting point, go to tyn-y-groes.org, click on the ‘walks’ tab and you will find a downloadable PDF with a map and routes marked for several walks from one mile up to nine miles long. Look out for buzzards and possibly a red kite.

Rover says: I can stay in some of the rooms at The Groes Inn, and I am welcome in some parts of the bar. There are lots of interesting sights and smells in the countryside here.

5 dog friendly pub walks in Cheshire

Walking and dining along the Anglesey Coastal Path