The George Inn, Norton St Philip

The George Inn sits at the centre of Norton St Philip, a village a few miles south of Bath, and it has been serving travellers for centuries. Beams, uneven floors and low doorways come as standard, and so do dogs: they are a normal part of the scene in the bar and the dining areas rather than something the staff merely tolerate. Guests travelling with dogs come away consistently warm about the welcome.

The practical appeal is that you do not have to split the party up. Dogs are welcome throughout the bar and the outdoor dining areas, so the kitchen and the historic rooms are open to you together rather than leaving the dog upstairs. Water bowls and treats are kept behind the bar. Owners single out the friendliness of the staff and the general ease of the place, and repeat visits are common.

Two things are worth knowing before you commit. The staircase up to the bedrooms is old, steep and slippery underfoot, and feedback from dog owners mentions dogs struggling for grip on the way up. If your dog is elderly, nervous or short-legged, ask about room access when you book. The other point is a consequence of how popular the inn is with dog owners: the bar can hold several dogs at once at busy times, and not everyone enjoys that. It has come up in feedback from guests who were not travelling with a dog themselves. If your dog is reactive, or you want a quiet corner, an off-peak evening is the safer bet.

The setting does a lot of the work. Norton St Philip is a proper village with footpaths running straight out into the fields, and Bath, the Mendips and the Wiltshire border are all a short drive away. The George suits owners who want character and a genuinely dog-welcoming pub over a modern hotel, and who do not mind a historic building's quirks. No pet fee is stated on the property's booking listing, so confirm any charge and room suitability when you book.