Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly-cafes-in-essex">Dog friendly cafés in Essex</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-merrymeade-tea-room-brentwood"><a href="https://www.merrymeadetearoom.co.uk/the-doggie-afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Merrymeade Tea Room</a>, Brentwood</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/merrymeade-copy.jpg" alt="Dog eating doggy afternoon tea at Merrymeade Tea Rooms" class="wp-image-28252" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/merrymeade-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/merrymeade-copy-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/merrymeade-copy-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/merrymeade-copy-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/merrymeade-copy-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You can also enjoy afternoon tea when it comes to dog friendly places to eat and drink in Essex. Merrymeade Tea Room&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.merrymeadetearoom.co.uk/the-doggie-afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Doggie Afternoon Tea</a> goodies are all home-baked and have&nbsp;no additives, preservatives, salt or sugar. Merrymeade also donates a percentage from every booking to rescue charity, Wallace Kennels. Expect cheese and bacon bites, peanut butter paws, liver bones, chicken pupcake&nbsp;and&nbsp;puppuchino with dog-approved biscuit. Available Mon-Fri and must be pre-booked.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dash-leigh-on-sea"><a href="https://dashcafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dash!</a>, Leigh-on-Sea</h2>



<p>Combining coffee and canines, pooches are welcomed at this coffee shop. There&#8217;s speciality coffee, artisan food and award-winning gelato for the owners, and the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dashdogclub/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dash Dog Club</a> for the furries. Members can collect a free dog tag and a complimentary Doggy-Dashi. Plus, there are organised dog walks too. It&#8217;s all in aid of Dogs Trust and Acres Way Kennels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parlour-cafe-creeksea-place-barns-burnham-on-crouch"><a href="https://parlour-cafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parlour Café</a>, Creeksea Place Barns, Burnham-on-Crouch</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/creeksea-barns-copy.jpg" alt="Parlour Cafe" class="wp-image-28251" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/creeksea-barns-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/creeksea-barns-copy-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/creeksea-barns-copy-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This café is slightly off the beaten track (making it perfect for long dog walks), but when you get there you can re-fuel with a tasty brunch or lunch and freshly whizzed smoothies. The <a href="https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:7167b165-76bc-4e5e-9530-a97b3279a1ac" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dog House menu</a> will ensure your puppy pals are catered for too. The sound of the Barkuterie Board, All Day Barkfest and Bark Bowl are even making us peckish! There&#8217;s puds and yappy hour tipples too including doggy ice cream and puppaccinos. Located at Creeksea Place Barns –&nbsp;dog-friendly self-catering barns that are available to hire individually or exclusively for larger groups.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paper-mill-lock-tea-rooms-little-baddow"><a href="https://www.papermilllock.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paper Mill Lock Tea Rooms</a>, Little Baddow</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.papermilllock.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This tea room’s the perfect pitstop</a>&nbsp;for a stroll along part of the 14 mile Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation walk. Found between Chelmsford and Heybridge at the seven mile mark, dogs are looked after with water bowls and undercover area for rainy days. They also sell biscuits from Love The Dog, and Marshfield Farm Scoop’s Ice Cream for Dogs. Come on now, if that&#8217;s not a reason for it to be on our dog friendly places to eat and drink in Essex we don&#8217;t know what is.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly-hotels-in-essex">Dog friendly hotels in Essex</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-down-hall-hotel-hatfield-heath"><a href="https://www.downhall.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Down Hall Hotel</a>, Hatfield Heath</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="674" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Down-Hall-copy-1.jpg" alt="Pop &amp; Bark doggy cafe at Down Hall" class="wp-image-28256" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Down-Hall-copy-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Down-Hall-copy-1-800x539.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/Down-Hall-copy-1-768x518.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>At Down Hall there are a small percentage of the rooms that are suitable for pets, all of which have double doors leading out into the grounds. They also get a comfy bed to snuggle in, a water bed a treat box. Four-legged friends are welcomed in the lounges, and the outdoor restaurant terrace. </p>



<p>This spring also sees the return of the <a href="https://www.downhall.co.uk/upcoming-events/doggy-cafe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Doggy Cafe</a> on May bank holiday (<strong>Mon 4 May</strong>). Organised by Pop &amp; Bark, the day is a meet up for Golden Retriever and Cockapoos where they will have loads of space to run around, tumble in the ball pit and chase bubbles. There will be a Pupuccino Bar and Doggy Bakery, plus cute phot opps and complimentary photographer capturing the special day. On <strong>Fri 10 Jul</strong> and <strong>Fri 14 Aug</strong>, the hotel is also hosting a<a href="https://www.downhall.co.uk/offers/doggy-yoga-retreat/51-81/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Doggy Yoga Retreat</a> for some seriously pampered pooches. Expect guided woodland walks, family yoga and dog and owner sounds baths.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-downham-hall-billericay"><a href="https://www.downhamhall.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Downham Hall</a>, Billericay</h2>



<p>Having a night away along with a decent meal when you can’t get a dog-sitter’s a pain in the proverbial. That&#8217;s why first on our dog friendly places to eat and drink in Essex list is <a href="https://www.downhamhall.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Downham Hall</a>. Canines are welcome at this five-bed boutique hotel, costing just a small fee per pet per night. Simply let the team there know you’re bringing them along and they sort the rest. Your dog’s even welcome on the terrace if you&#8217;re eating out there.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly-pubs-in-essex">Dog friendly pubs in Essex</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cricketers-clavering-nr-saffron-walden"><a href="https://www.thecricketers.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cricketers Clavering</a>, Nr Saffron Walden</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/The-Cricketers-clavering-copy.jpg" alt="Dog in front of fire at The Cricketers Ckavering" class="wp-image-28249" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/The-Cricketers-clavering-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/The-Cricketers-clavering-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/The-Cricketers-clavering-copy-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This pub has a great rep for good food, check out the <a href="https://92edc775-d419-4882-a74e-db7154044c9f.filesusr.com/ugd/5b81b4_ef6f3b3ef788424497c760e7cfeb6a7e.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">menu</a>. But it’s the dogs we’re focussing on here, and they too are welcome. So welcome in fact you can book a <a href="https://www.thecricketers.co.uk/muddy-paws-stay" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muddy Paws Stay</a> –&nbsp;with rolling fields and woods to explore, tasty natural treats and a sausage breakfast, pups are sure to feel at home. There’s Posh Pooch (0% alcohol) wine as well. Humans do get to enjoy it too – the package includes a dinner for two, a comfy night&#8217;s stay and breakfast in the morning.  Furry friends are welcome in and out, and if staying, a bed, water bowl and towel’s provided</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cricketers-arms-rickling-green-nr-stansted"><a href="https://thecricketersarmspub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cricketers Arms Rickling Green</a>, Nr Stansted</h2>



<p>Muddy paws (and Muddy Stilettos – see what we did there?) are welcome at&nbsp;<a href="https://thecricketersarmspub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cricketers Arms Rickling Green.</a> There’s a range of dog snacks and we also love the doggy beer barrel outside to quench their thirst. The bar area’s dog friendly, as are some of their hotel rooms. Plus, due to the location overlooking the cricket green, there’s lots of space to run about. Bring their ball!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-jobber-s-rest-upminster"><a href="https://jobbersrestupminster.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Jobber’s Rest</a>, Upminster</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/heartwood-inns-dogs-001-copy.jpg" alt="Dog in pub at Heartwood Inns" class="wp-image-28250" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/heartwood-inns-dogs-001-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/heartwood-inns-dogs-001-copy-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/heartwood-inns-dogs-001-copy-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/heartwood-inns-dogs-001-copy-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/04/heartwood-inns-dogs-001-copy-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Fur babies are also well looked after at&nbsp;<a href="https://jobbersrestupminster.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Jobber’s Rest</a>, with dog biscuits, water and cuddles as standard. They&#8217;ve also partnered up with Sir Woofchester to create a <a href="https://jobbersrestupminster.com/dog-friendly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog menu</a>, including Bark Burger and Bark Banger Treat Pots. Then there&#8217;s the Sunday Roast and Fish &amp; Chips dinner bowls, while drinks come in the form of chicken-flavoured dog &#8216;beer&#8217; and a Paw Star dog ‘Martini’.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">In the mood for more?</h2>



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Paws for thought: Dog friendly places to eat and drink in Essex

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