A pub in Warrington has been named the best dog-friendly pub in the north west at the Rover's Dog-Friendly Pub Awards.

The awards celebrate the establishments that truly go above and beyond in creating a welcoming and homely environment for our canine companions.

Rover’s new research reveals that dogs aren't just welcome in pubs but that they’re becoming an essential part of pub culture.

It showed that 43% of Brits believe dogs are integral to the pub experience with more than half (59%) even saying they’d prefer being around canines than kids when enjoying their local.

Taking it a step further, 62% of the nation wishes all pubs were ‘dog-friendly’ while others advocate for designated areas for children, allowing dogs to roam freely in other parts of the pub (31%).

With pubs at the centre of Brit's social scenes, almost 3 out of 4 (71%) Brits see dogs as great icebreakers, Rover says.

According to Rover, 41% of dog owners even bring their furry companions along on pub dates, and for many, it’s puppy love with more than a quarter (28%) of pub-goers having met their partners through their dogs.

For those still searching for their special someone, 53% have used their dog as an excuse to strike up a conversation with a stranger and 40% have made lifelong friends, all thanks to a canine connection.

Rover's survey was completed in August 2024 via Pollfish, comprising of 500 dog parents and 500 non-dog owners. 

Warrington pub named best for dogs in the north west

The Maltings in Warrington was named the best dog-friendly pub in the north west of England as a result of Rover’s research.

Rover’s Tavern Tester’s in-depth reviews judged pubs on a range of factors including their booking systems, pup accessibility, welcoming atmosphere, staff communication, doggie facilities, pet safety, dog behaviour policies and overall experience.

The Maltings isn’t just great for dogs though as visitors have praised it on Tripadvisor after their visits.

The pub has a 4.5-star rating from 298 reviews on the review site.

One visitor said: “Excellent value for money. Decent choice for vegetarians. Dog friendly. Dogs catered for. Outside there is ample seating on 3 sides, some under cover for all weathers.”

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Another shared their experience: “Lovely atmosphere staff very pleasant really lovely service food was lovely nice area interior was clean well set out quite busy but nice”.

Adem Fehmi, Canine Behaviourist at Rover, comments: “Our 11 tavern-testing pet owners have been busy surveying pubs across the nation to find the most dog-friendly pubs.

“Scoring extremely highly on factors such as doggy amenities, hospitality, and dog-friendly policies, we’re delighted that The Lion at Basford has been recognised for their efforts in making their pub a wonderfully welcome place for canine friends to visit.”