Dog Friendly Norwich: Walks, Places to Eat, and Where to Stay
Norwich is an all-around fab place to get out and about with your pooch. It boasts a variety of options for dog owners. There are paths, walks, lanes and trails ranging from heathland to riverside, offering some great circular dog walks in the city centre and beyond. Popular routes include:
Dog-Friendly Walks in Norwich
Mousehold Heath & Kett’s Heights: A favourite north of the city, Mousehold Heath has free parking on Britannia Road opposite the old Britannia Barracks buildings. From here, many trails wind up or down across scenic heathland, which is ideal in any season. Our suggestion is a saunter down through heath and woodland to Kett’s Heights, which itself offers pathways and sweeping city views from its summit. Dogs are explicitly welcome at the viewpoint, making it ideal for pets under control.
Riverside Walk (Cow Tower to Norwich Playhouse): Not far from the Kett’s Heights is the location of our next walk. Start at the medieval English Heritage maintained Cow Tower and follow the River Wensum west along the northern edge of the city walls. This scenic riverside route is quiet and reflective with swans, canoes and paddle boards gliding by on summer days. It passes historic sites like the iconic St James’ Mill and continues along the Quayside, passing the Ribs of Beef pub and cutting through the cloister of The Halls and Norwich University of the Arts. The walk can continue as far as you like out to Hellesdon, but we’re specifically stopping at the Norwich Playhouse bar due to its canine inclusivity. The Playhouse Bar welcomes dogs on leads, so you can reward your pup with water and a treat while you enjoy the music, vibes and a great beer garden out back.
Horsford & Felthorpe Woods (Broadland Country Park): A little north of Norwich this one – but well worth a mention. Broadland Country Park is a 140-acre mosaic of heath, woodland and marsh between Horsford and Felthorpe. Its network of paths (including St Faith’s Common and Horsford Woods) gives miles of peaceful off-road walking for dogs and owners. There are numerous free car parking spaces out this way and picnic spots among the trees, perfect for a longer hike. If you have a family that enjoys walking the dog and engaging in outdoor adventure, there are plenty of geocaches hidden in the woods and some of the best examples of redwoods in the country.
Eaton Park and Riverside Paths: The suburb of Eaton (off Newmarket Road) connects to Eaton Park by flat riverside paths, so our next walk incorporates the two. Eaton Park itself is an 80-acre Victorian park (with open lawns and woodland) that features a friendly on-site café, openly welcoming to responsible dog owners. Eaton Park Café explicitly allows well-behaved dogs on lead and provides water bowls, so it’s a convenient rest stop before or after a riverside stroll or a game of ball on the grass. To extend a visit to Eaton Park with dogs, we suggest sauntering across to Bluebell Road where a footpath then access walks either to the UEA lake Earlham Park or Bowthorpe Marsh. Alternatively, there are trails from the UEA lake that head south along the Yare Valley beside the river, ending at the scenic St Andrew’s Church in Eaton. Top Tip – Check out The Cellar House in Eaton. Under extremely experienced new stewardship, the pub welcomes dogs and has great food offers – on Tuesdays in particular!
GoGo Safari Trail 2025: During summer 2025, Norwich will host the GoGoSafari sculpture trail, with 50 artist-decorated animal statues (lions, gorillas, giraffes, elephants and rhinos) dotted across the city. Chasing these colourful sculptures with your dog and family is a fun way to explore new neighbourhoods on your walks. (There’s a trail app with rewards for finding each GoGo sculpture.)
For more Norfolk-wide outings, check our Dog-Friendly Circular Walks guide for dozens of other routes with nearby cafes and pubs suitable for dogs.
Dog-Friendly Places to Eat and Drink in Norwich
Norwich city centre offers plenty of spots where dogs are not just accepted but truly welcomed. Here are four of the best for a relaxed bite with your pup:
Red Lion Bishopgate (RLB): A riverside favourite near Cow Tower (so ideal to combine with our above walks), the Red Lion is a go-to for dog walkers finishing a trek along the Wensum. The large beer garden overlooks the river and is dog-friendly, with plenty of shady spots for water bowls. Inside, well-behaved dogs are welcome in the bar area too, making it a year-round option after a riverside stroll or paddleboard session nearby.
The Ber Street Kitchen: A place we wish we strolled past more often, as their setup on Ber Street serves up a top-notch brunch, hearty sandwiches, bakes, and wonderful coffee. Dogs are greeted with a smile, and the atmosphere is warm and relaxed. For those wishing to sit outside with their dogs, they also have three or four tables out front on the pavement. It’s a great stop for pups and their humans, especially if you fancy a 10-minute trot down to Whitlingham Broad or Trowse for more four-legged fun.
Gonzo’s Tea Room: Possibly Norwich’s most iconic dog-loving venue. Gonzo’s welcomes dogs indoors and out, named after the infamous pug who was known to greet guests at the bar. Come for the towering burgers and rooftop suntrap (sadly no doggos on the roof), then stay for the relaxed, quirky interior and live music. Staff are well-versed in making canine companions feel at home.
Slice & Dice (St Benedict’s): This board game café and vegan diner is proudly dog-friendly and always buzzing with friendly faces. The team welcomes dogs of all sizes with fuss, and there’s plenty of space to settle down under your table while you grab a bite and pick a board game to play. It’s a fun, inclusive venue that regularly hosts meet-ups, quizzes and games nights — all paw-approved.
The Garden Café (Cathedral of St John): Located in the Narthex at the Roman Catholic Cathedral, this cafe welcomes customers of all faiths, religions, beliefs and yes, even those with four legs. Dogs can go everywhere (even in their beautiful courtyard garden). The menu features home-baked cakes and seasonal meals, and the cafe sells dog treats too. There is plenty of outdoor seating where you and your dog can enjoy tea or lunch among the flowers. Top nearby tip – The Narthex is near Unthank Road, where you’ll find another great pub, The Unthank Arms, which is equally dog-inclusive.
Many other city-centre spots with outside seating will also generally allow dogs at pavement tables, just ask. Norwich, in our experience, is very accommodating. Speaking of accommodation, we’ve got a few top spots to consider if you’re looking for places to stay in Norwich with a dog.
Dog-Friendly Places to Stay in Norwich
Several Norwich hotels in and around the centre officially allow dogs, often for a small extra fee. Top dog accommodation tip – Book direct or contact the hotel to check pet-friendly room allocations, as booking via hotel agents and third parties often means that allocations and specific room requests can get overlooked.
The George Hotel (Magdalen Street): A historic inn sandwiched between Unthank Road and Newmarket Road, they offer a few dedicated pet-friendly rooms (in separate cottage-style units) for an additional £10 per night. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the lounge and bar areas too, and water bowls are provided in the rooms. Great buffet brekkies here too!
The Maids Head Hotel (Tombland): Norwich’s oldest hotel, centrally located near Elm Hill and many of the walks along the Wensum mentioned above, The Maids Head designates some rooms as dog-friendly (up to two dogs per room at £20 per stay). They supply dog beds and water bowls in pet rooms and while the main hotel is off limits, your dog can join you in the courtyard.
Travelodge Norwich Central (or Central Riverside): This budget hotel chain offers “pet-friendly rooms” that are simple, yet clean and tidy. You simply add your pet when booking (a small one-time cleaning charge applies). It’s a straightforward no-frills option for dog owners, especially as the two central sites give easy access to either the nearby train station and Riverside complex or the main shopping areas like Chantry Place (Chapelfield), Castle Mall and the Forum.
Each of these hotels will provide dog bowls and bedding if requested. Always mention your pet at booking to ensure you get one of the designated pet rooms. With its central location, the Travelodge puts you near many cafes and pubs that allow dogs in Norwich; likewise, the George and Maids Head place you within easy walking distance of Norwich’s best parks and walks for dogs.
