Wader

Dog-friendly Symonds Yat: which pubs, rooms and attractions let dogs in

Symonds Yat is a dog-walking honeypot, but the venues are split. Some welcome dogs in a few areas or rooms, and some well-known riverside inns don't allow dogs in their bedrooms at all. Self-catering near the Rock is the easiest option.

  • Dogs welcome in some places, not others
  • Not clear: 4
  • Checked 25 October 2026

At a glance

Dog-friendly venues listed
5 (1 pub, 1 hotel, 3 self-catering or cabin operators)
No dogs in bedrooms
Ye Old Ferrie Inn and Saracens Head Inn (both say so on their own sites)
Pet fees stated
Free (Rock Lodge); £15 per pet per night (Forest Holidays); £50 per dog per stay (Old Court self-catering, Aug 2025 rates)
Symonds Yat Rock
Forestry England: dogs allowed; keep them close, in sight and on official trails

Not clear from the source

  • The Royal Lodge says 'additional charges apply' for its dog-friendly room but doesn't give the amount on the room page. It's not clear which other rooms take dogs.
  • The Saracens Head's own site doesn't say whether dogs are allowed in the bar or on the terrace. It only says pets can't stay in the rooms.
  • The Old Court self-catering dog fee comes from an August 2025 rates PDF and may have changed.
  • Rock Lodge says 'Pets stay for free' but doesn't state a maximum number of dogs.

The short version

Bringing a dog to Symonds Yat for a walk and a pint is easy. Bringing one to stay overnight at a riverside inn is harder. Ye Old Ferrie Inn and the Saracens Head both say on their own websites that they don't take pets in their rooms. For overnight stays with a dog, look at the self-catering lodges and cabins up near the Rock and in the forest. They're explicit about pets, and one charges nothing.

Pubs

Ye Old Ferrie Inn, Symonds Yat West (pub and inn)

The inn is split by area. In the Riverside and Oak Floor areas, "dogs are not allowed in this area". Flagstones is "our dog friendly inside area", but its tables don't have a river view. The River Terrace Garden is "all dog friendly". It has no covered areas and the inn says "We do not take bookings" for it. Bedrooms are a firm no: "We don't allow dogs in any of our accommodation." Source: homepage · Source: rooms

Saracens Head Inn, Symonds Yat East (inn) – no dogs in rooms

The rooms page says "Regretfully we do not allow pets to stay" and describes the inn as a "Pet free property". It also can't accommodate children under 14. The official site says nothing about dogs in the bar or garden. Source: Saracens Head rooms

Places to stay

The Royal Lodge, Symonds Yat East (hotel)

At least one room is set aside for dogs: "This room is a dog friendly room, however additional charges apply and bookings for dogs must be made direct with the Lodge". Source: Royal Lodge Room 2

Symonds Yat Rock Lodge, Hillersland near Coleford (self-catering)

This is the most generous policy in the area: "Pets stay for free", and "All our self-catering apartments are dog friendly". It also says "We welcome dogs and many other pets (just get in touch to check)". The laundry keeps towels, blankets, spare bowls, leads and poo bags, and there's a washing area. Source: Rock Lodge pets page

Forest Holidays Forest of Dean (cabins near Christchurch, a short drive from the Rock)

"Up to 4 pets can join you" in the pet-friendly cabins. The pets FAQ adds the fee: £15 per pet, per night. It also sets these rules:

  • pets "must not be left unattended"
  • dogs must be on a lead while walking around the location

Source: location page · Source: pets FAQ

The Old Court Hotel self-catering, Symonds Yat West (cottage and apartments)

The rates sheet for the cottage and the four-poster barn apartments says "Dogs welcome at a cost of £50 per dog per stay". That sheet is dated August 2025, so check with them first. Source: rates PDF

Attractions and walks

  • Symonds Yat Rock (Forestry England): dogs are allowed. "Please keep dogs close by and in sight at all times to make sure they stay on official trails." Source
  • Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo and Visitor Centre, Symonds Yat West: "Please don't bring any pet with you if you can make other arrangements". "Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in our shops, picnic areas and in the Picnic Refuge", but the Butterfly Zoo, the Miniature Golf enclosures and the cafe "are not for pets". Dogs can't be left unattended either. On the plus side, there are water bowls by the zoo reception, emergency poo bags, and a dog-dip by the footbridge. Source: Policy on pets

More detail on the Rock, the forest and the Wye Valley Walk is on Dog rules on Wye Valley walks and attractions.

Wader's tip

If you want a riverside pint at the Ferrie Inn with your dog, head for the River Terrace Garden. It can't be booked and has no cover, so on a wet day the dog-friendly option is Flagstones, which has no river view.