Holidaying with your hound | our pick of dog-friendly hotels in Northumberland

On the northern side of the North Pennines, this Edwardian mansion hotel is set among 1,000 acres of leafy woodland, farmland and vast, open expanses. Slaley Hall is a haven of rural activities, from dining to hiking, with abundant surrounding walks to please active dogs and their owners. With fishing, archery and clay-pigeon shooting offered as part of a stay at Slaley, as well as Derwent reservoir a four-mile hike away, you can spend whole idyllic days in the great outdoors with your bounding four-legged friend in tow.

Settle into a Classic room – specially reserved for canines. Two small dogs or one large one can fit in each room, ideal if you have a duo of dachshunds or a single sheepdog. Rooms have either courtyard or garden views and all come with a seating area to sit, sip tea and relax with your pup and a paper after an adventurous morning of chasing squirrels in the woods. The décor mirrors the rustic aesthetic of the hotel’s interior: think tweed-adorned armchairs, plump scatter cushions, plaid-clad throws and tartan carpets.

Treat your dog to a trek round the shore path at Derwent Reservoir for some splash fun – it’s a satisfying four-mile walk through Slaley Park. Once back, settle your pet for a snooze in your room and finish the afternoon with a quirky tea at the Dukes, an Edwardian style drawing room. The striking surroundings feature velvet wing chairs to sink into as you sample dainty cakes and sandwiches elegantly presented in a birdcage. You can also take afternoon tea as part of an experience package in the deluxe Slaley Hall spa. Take your pick from treatments like a Swedish massage or revitalising facial using all-natural products from premium beauty brand ESPA before a sip of bubbly in a fluffy robe by the pool.

When evening rolls around, start with a real ale in the 19th Bar with your contented companion at your feet – all the hotel’s public areas, excluding the restaurants, welcome pets. Then, let your dog dine in your room while you slip off to one of Slaley Hall’s three restaurants. The Claret Jug restaurant is a favourite with hungry golfers who’ve completed the hall’s 36-hole course. Expect pub favourites like local ham and cheddar sandwiches, beer battered fish and healthy poke bowls. For a formal evening meal, dine on dishes like aged Hereford cattle beef at Hadrian’s Brasserie with wine recommendations from the waiter to match your dish. Whiskey connoisseurs can then sip from the cosy Whisky Snug’s single malt selection as a nightcap while the fireplace crackles in the background. A slow stroll with your dog around the hotel grounds will relax both of you before bedtime – unless, of course, they scent something they simply have to investigate.

The Victorian-era Coquetvale was originally built as a railway hotel by Baron William Armstrong. Nowadays it’s run by a friendly family who welcome nature-loving owners and pooches keen to ramble (just let them know you’re bringing your canine companion when you book). The décor fuses its 19th-century legacy with modern touches, seen in the classically styled armchairs updated with bold upholstery and the understated artworks on the walls. There are 14 uniquely decorated rooms in the four-storey building, spanning the spacious Superior rooms, the comfortable Classic rooms and the cosy Loft rooms with their bird’s eye views of the grounds. Each comes with plumped bedding, luxury toiletries and facilities for making tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

With a picnic lunch from the restaurant in hand, pick up a map from reception, summon your pet and explore the verdant grounds. Stroll past Baron Armstrong’s own famous National Trust property, Cragside (if you visit there, you’ll need to keep your dog on a lead) then have your food al-fresco with your dog among the greenery. A trip to the Secret Kingdom wouldn’t be complete without a roam along one of the famed trails of Northumberland National Park. Your options include the gentle Simonside path through the Harwood forest – a relaxing walk for older pooches who like to take their time – or the exhilarating Rothbury Terraces walk with views of the Coquet Valley and Scottish border, ideal for curious young pups.

After a lengthy stroll, you and your pup need a meal for two. The bar at the hotel is dog-friendly and open from breakfast until dinner. Just ask for a water or treat bowl so your companion can indulge in a culinary experience just as you do. Dogs who attend breakfast are also indulged with a serving of sausages – one of many accommodating touches seen throughout a stay at this accommodation. As for yourself and your human companions, you can sip real ale from one of the deep armchairs, order a freshly made Margherita from the double-deck pizza oven or treat yourself to a hearty steak with a range of accompaniments. Finish the day by taking a seat on the decking outside and watching the sunset; Northumberland is reputed to have the clearest night skies in the country, ideal for an evening of stargazing with your pet.

This family-run, dog-friendly hotel in Northumberland has a nostalgic, home-away-from-home feel that is instantly welcoming – as evinced by your dog’s wagging tale as you step through the doors. With just 18 en-suite rooms, the focus here is on a comfortable stay for owners and pets in a warm atmosphere. The charming single and standard rooms are equipped with essential comforts, like a complimentary drinks tray and walk-in shower, and are well-suited to individual travellers and couples with dogs. Built to entertain larger families and groups, the hotel’s selection of unique cottages feature several reception rooms and bedrooms. Book the barn-converted Rose cottages with a mezzanine, open-plan kitchen and wood-burning fire for a cosy and rustic retreat – your pet curled up by the glowing embers adds the finishing touch to this idyllic picture. Or choose Dune cottage which fuses old-fashioned charm with contemporary touches like under-floor heating, light wood furniture and fresh hues.

Start your stay by easing yourself into one of the Chesterfield armchairs inside the peaceful pet-friendly lounge. You can also dine with your dog here – it’s advisable to book beforehand to reserve a place for your four-legged companion. Dunstanburgh’s appreciation for your faithful friends is seen throughout the art choices, with dog pictures and portraits dotted among other illustrations. You’re welcome to dine outside in the picturesque garden with your dog as the fully enclosed space lets him or her roam freely while you relax with a glass of wine or ale from the well-stocked bar.

The famous Bamburgh Castle is a short drive up the coast. It welcomes dogs to explore the exterior of the fortress and is situated on Bamburgh beach, which they can happily tire themselves out on while splashing in the waves. Pick up some biodegradable dog bags at reception beforehand – they’re available for a small fee that helps fund the local beach-cleaning projects.

Relax in your room after a busy day of discoveries with a glass of bubbly and room service: the full á la carte menu of ethically sourced food from the country’s local larder is available to eat from the comfort of your bed. Local produce dictates the seasonal menus, so expect treats such as salmon and crab from the village of Seahouses as well as prime Northumbrian pork, beef and lamb presented in terrines, rumps and steaks.

The Battlesteads in Northumberland is a dog-friendly hotel, pub and restaurant with a classic yet quirky foundation. You’ll be welcomed by Winston, the resident Labrador who is ready to meet the latest furry guests with a wagging tail. Settle in to one of the ground-floor rooms with homely touches like dog biscuits and a fresh fruit basket. The ground-floor double is a particular novelty with its dog-printed wallpaper, while the family-sized room is ideal for larger canines. You and your pooch can also stay in one of the luxury wooden lodges. With a private balcony, spacious rooms, waterfall showers and rustic farmhouse doors, each has a country cabin design with luxe interiors for a secluded and ultra-comfortable stay.

Hearty meals and sustainability are the main focuses in the eateries at Battlesteads. During summer, herbs, fruit, salad and vegetables are grown in the garden’s own polytunnels for the kitchen to use. Spot seasonal greens in the earth in the morning and then on your plate as you sit down to dinner. The produce that makes up the menu is either home-grown or locally sourced, with Northumberland’s finest livestock, game and fish aplenty from the nearby suppliers.

If your pooch loves to cool off with a splash in a stream, the River North Tyne is a mere four-minute walk from the Battlesteads. For a day of walking and seeing some sites, make your way to Chesters Roman Fort – where dogs are welcome on the grounds – or the famous Hadrian’s Wall trail, which takes you along the line of the historic edifice.

After an afternoon of happy wandering with your dog, take your pick from the lounge, bar and outdoor areas to have some refreshments – each one is dog-friendly and offers local delicacies such as oak-smoked salmon, chicken and duck from nearby Bywell Smokery. A warm log burner awaits in the nook-like bar welcoming you to sit on one of the antique chairs restored with modern fabric. With a snoozing pooch at your feet, you can relax, drink in hand, and admire the heritage here like the oak-beam structure, grandfather clock and painted china ornaments ensconced on shelves inside the exposed stone walls.