Some towns are worth visiting for their history alone – but what if you could enjoy centuries of stories without leaving your dog behind?
That’s exactly what I found in Bury St Edmunds, the UK’s most dog-friendly town.
From Magna Carta connections to the smallest pub in Britain, Bury, as its fondly known, is a place where heritage meets hospitality – and where dogs are part of the adventure, not an afterthought.
In fact, Bury St Edmunds has officially been crowned the most dog-friendly town in the UK — and after visiting with my four-legged companion, I can confirm it certainly lives up to the title.
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Bury St Edmunds: UK’s Most Dog-Friendly Town
From the moment we arrived, Bury St Edmunds felt like the kind of town that understands how much dogs are part of the family.
Water bowls are dotted outside shops, dog biscuits appear on café counters, and just about everywhere we went, staff greeted my dog with as much enthusiasm as they did me.
The town itself is fascinating.
Named after King Edmund – the original patron saint of England – Bury has over 1,000 years of history woven into its streets.
In fact, the Abbey of St Edmund here was once so important, that the barons met here in 1214 to draft the Magna Carta.
For me though, the joy of Bury lies in how easy it is to explore with a dog.
Abbey Gardens is an absolute highlight: acres of manicured lawns, colourful flower beds, the famous rose garden (home to more than 400 varieties), and the atmospheric ruins of the old abbey.
My dog had a wonderful time sniffing around, while I soaked up the beauty and history.
Walks with Stories
One of the best ways to discover Bury St Edmunds is on foot, and I highly recommend joining a tour with Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides.
Many of their tours are dog-friendly, so you don’t have to miss out on the fascinating stories about medieval pilgrims, Georgian architecture, or wartime secrets if you’re visiting with pooch in tow.
Indeed there’s something lovely about wandering the historic streets with a wagging tail at your side, learning about kings, monks, and rebels who once walked the same paths.
Our tour guide John was fantastic at keeping the group of both four-legged and two-legged travellers on track. A passionate local filled with an incredible array of stories and knowledge about the area – this was the perfect introduction to B St E, as I started calling it!
Foodie Finds for You & Your Pup
After a good walk, food was calling – and Bury certainly delivered.
The town has a thriving independent food scene, in fact its known as the foodie capital of Suffolk, and plenty of places welcome dogs too.
My favourite was Damson & Wilde, a stylish yet relaxed spot where I tucked into seasonal dishes packed with local Suffolk flavour in their delightful alfresco dining area.
With dogs allowed, Gibbles could join me too and certainly enjoyed being fussed over by staff and fellow diners alike.
For something quirky, I then couldn’t resist popping into The Nutshell.
Officially recognised as the smallest pub in Britain, it only measures just 15 feet by 7 feet, yet still manages to serve a great pint.
Dogs are welcome here too, though space is obviously at a premium!
From Bury to Lavenham
Just a short drive from Bury St Edmunds, I then find myself in Lavenham, often called England’s best-preserved medieval village – and it’s easy to see why.
Walking around this charming village feels like stepping into a fairytale, with crooked timber-framed houses, and over 300 listed buildings lining the quaint streets.
Lavenham owes its preserved beauty to the historic wool trade.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the village became incredibly wealthy thanks to its entrepreneurial production of a premium cloth known as Lavenham Blue, which was exported across Europe.
That wealth built the impressive church of St Peter and St Paul, the Guildhall, Little Hall and many of the timber-framed houses still standing in the village today.
When the wool industry declined, thanks to Henry VIII’s row with the Catholic Church, Lavenham’s development slowed and the village’s story became one of boom and bust.
While its wealthy heyday ensured very high Tudor building standards across the village, the subsequent impoverished centuries also helped preserved Lavenham’s medieval character too – in short, because no one could afford to tear down the 15th century edifices and replace them.
What that leaves us with today, is an almost film set-like Medieval village, perfect for those looking for a picture-perfect slice of Suffolk.
Exploring Lavenham with Your Dog
There’s plenty to do in Lavenham, and much of it is dog-friendly too.
I loved exploring the National Trust Guildhall, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the village’s history, from its wool-trade heyday to its decline.
While dogs can’t go inside here, the wonderful café and gardens were the perfect excuse to keep the exhibition strolling condescend and the cake munching maximised!
Another quirky find was Little Hall, a beautiful medieval house and museum that shows how life in Lavenham developed over the centuries ago.
My superb tour guide Mike couldn’t have been more helpful and informative, really bringing the story of this house to life.
Walking the forested trails of the Lavenham Woodland Walk afterwards rounded off my wholesome weekend outing perfectly.
And as if things couldn’t get any better for pooch Gibbles, the discovery of Hollibels, Lavenham’s dog-specific shop, meant plenty of treats for him too.
A Stay at The Swan Hotel
But the highlight of my Lavenham experience really had to be my overnight stay at The Swan Hotel.
Quite simply, it’s one of the most unique places I’ve ever stayed in the UK.
Dating back to the 15th century, The Swan is a coaching inn that oozes history, think crooked beams, medieval fireplaces, and centuries-old stonework that give it enormous character.
One quirky detail I loved was in the Airmen’s Bar, where American airmen from WWII carved their names and squadron numbers into the walls. These inscriptions have been carefully preserved and are an incredible reminder of the hotel’s role in the villages history.
But while the past is ever-present, The Swan also delivers modern comforts.
My room was spacious, cosy, and full of charm, with thoughtful dog-friendly touches that made travelling with a pup stress-free, including bed, water bowl, treats and a toy.
Dogs are warmly welcomed in public spaces too, including some of the dining rooms, and mine was treated to fuss, bowls of water and, much to his delight, sausages at breakfast without me ever having to ask.
The hotel also boasts the Weavers’ House Spa, which I couldn’t resist trying. After a day of walking cobbled streets, a relaxing massage was just the thing to recharge.
Speaking of food, The Swan excels here too.
Dinner in the Gallery Restaurant was a highlight of the trip, combining Suffolk produce with elegant presentation under soaring Tudor beams.
Breakfast the next morning in the dog-friendly Mess Call 487 was equally impressive, with both hearty and lighter options on offer.
And then, of course, there’s the location: right in the centre of Lavenham, you can step out the front door at the Swan and straight into the fairytale-like medieval streets, whether that’s for photos or dog walks!
A Suffolk Special
What struck me most about this Suffolk weekend was how seamlessly history, hospitality, and dog-friendliness came together.
Both Bury St Edmunds and Lavenham are rich in stories, architecture, and culture, but they also make it incredibly easy to visit with a dog – which is far from a guarantee everywhere in the UK.
From water bowls in shop doorways to dog-friendly walking tours, restaurants, and pubs, Bury St Edmunds lives up to its reputation as the UK’s most dog-friendly town.
And with Lavenham and the pooch-welcoming Swan Hotel just a short drive away, combining the two makes for the perfect weekend escape.
For me, this trip was more than just a getaway – it was a reminder of how joyful travel can be when you don’t have to compromise on bringing your pup along.
And it was only 2 hours from London!
So if you’re looking for a weekend awat that combines Abbey ruins and Magna Carta history, tiny pubs and stylish eateries, medieval villages and crooked houses, and one of the UK’s most unique hotels, all while welcoming your dog every step of the way, then look no further.
I left Suffolk with tired legs, but a happy dog, and a big smile!
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My trip was gifted by Bury St Edmunds & Beyond, as well as The Swan Hotel, but, as always, all views are my own.
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