Top-Rated Dog-Friendly Pubs in Cambridgeshire

From Grantchester Meadows to St Ives’ Great Ouse quay, dog-friendly pubs in Cambridgeshire fit neatly around a walk.

But getting through the door is only half the story: your dog needs somewhere comfortable to settle while you eat. We’ve checked the details that matter, including indoor access, gardens, treats and dog menus. This guide covers Cambridge backstreet pubs, village lunch stops in Elton and Elsworth, and riverside options in St Ives. You’ll find parking information where confirmed, plus booking advice for pubs with designated dog areas. A good Sunday roast is better when nobody’s wondering whether the dog can stay.

Visiting Cambridgeshire with dogs?

For a break combining village lunches with riverside walks, browse our Cambridgeshire dog-friendly accommodation to find a base near the places you fancy.

Cambridgeshire’s Top Pet-Friendly Pubs and Restaurants

01 — The Free Press, Cambridge

The Free Press is tucked away on Prospect Row, making it a handy stop after walking around Cambridge. Dogs are welcome inside, and you can ask for free dog treats at the bar. The pub serves locally sourced food alongside a selection of beers and ales. Open fires and a small snug give it plenty of character, while the courtyard garden offers somewhere to sit outdoors. This is a proper backstreet pub, so expect smaller rooms rather than a large dining space.

02 — The Black Horse, Elton

The Black Horse offers a large garden and patio, with dogs welcome in the bar rather than the restaurant. That distinction matters if you’re booking Sunday lunch: mention the dog so you get a suitable table. Cask ales, open fireplaces and a varied food menu make it an option for more than a quick drink. Outside, the patio overlooks the lawn and village church. It’s a useful village pub for a meal after a walk, with the option to sit indoors with your dog or eat in the garden.

03 — The Blue Ball Inn, Grantchester

The Blue Ball Inn is a small village pub where dogs are welcome and real ale remains a big part of the appeal. Its traditional bar rooms and old pub games give it more character than the usual screens and background music. There’s also a small walled garden with a covered, heated seating area. Grantchester Meadows offers a nearby walk before a drink or something to eat. The pub has changed ownership, so check current food service before planning lunch around it.

04— The Oliver Cromwell, St Ives

The Oliver Cromwell is a dog-friendly town pub near the old quay and medieval bridge over the River Great Ouse. That makes it a useful stop after a riverside walk through St Ives. The bar serves cask ales and craft beers, while the kitchen offers homemade pub food and Sunday roasts. There’s a rear patio if you’d rather sit outside with your dog. Live music and quiz nights are part of the programme, so a quieter visit may suit dogs that struggle with a busy room.

05— The Earl of Beaconsfield, Cambridge

The Earl of Beaconsfield on Mill Road welcomes dogs and has a rear beer garden for an outdoor pint. Inside, cask ales, live music, sports coverage and pub games make this more of a drinking pub than a restaurant stop. It has reopened after a lengthy closure, so the old claims about its food should no longer guide your visit. For dogs comfortable with a lively setting, it’s an option after a walk around the city. Match nights and music events may be less suitable for dogs that prefer a quieter spot.

06— The Poacher, Elsworth

The Poacher offers dogs more than a place under the table: a doggie menu alongside home-cooked food for owners. Dogs can join you in the garden and a designated section of the pub, so mention yours when booking. The kitchen focuses on British produce from local suppliers, and real ale is another reason to stop here. Parking is available at the pub on Brockley Road. It adds a village option for anyone who wants lunch with their dog away from Cambridge’s busier streets.

07— The Boot, Histon

The Boot welcomes dogs in its bar and garden, with complimentary treats available from the bar and a separate dog menu. The bar and snug have a fireplace, plus a terrace and covered outdoor seating. Seasonal food and Sunday roasts make it a great choice for a meal, not just a drink. The pub has its own car park and sits opposite Histon’s village green. Call ahead when bringing a dog so the team can reserve a table in the right area; the main dining room isn’t part of its stated dog-friendly space.

A pub’s atmosphere matters as much as its dog policy. For more, try our dog-friendly pubs in Cambridgeshire, which offer more options for a walk.