Lap of LUXURY

The former home of Lord Beaverbook’s latest plaudit is for its dog-friendly credentials. Rebecca Younger took her pup along to see why

- Rebecca Younger

Ever since Beaverbrook flung open its doors in spring 2017, it’s been praised for being one of the leading country house hotels in the UK. And there’s good reason it’s held in such high esteem. Beaverbrook is a lesson in understated luxury – you could quite easily knock up an extortionate bill here, but any pretentiousness should be left at the door. It’s warm and friendly and open to all. Children and dogs included.

Indeed, it has just been named the Best Luxury Hotel in the UK for dogs by PetsPyjamas.com.

And so, while I have been lucky enough to visit Beaverbrook before, the reason for this visit was to check out the family and dog-friendly rooms in The Coach House – the third and final phase of the multi-million-pound Beaverbrook estate.

The ethos at Beaverbrook is very much that of a home-fromhome (albeit a very luxurious one) and for many, home just wouldn’t be home without their pet dog. With 475 acres of grounds to explore, as well as a luxurious spa, it’s the perfect place to pamper both human and pooch.

The six new pet-friendly family suites attached to The Coach House can accommodate families of four (or more in interconnecting rooms) and feature private terraces. Dog bowls and towels to wipe mucking paws are provided and Milo, our four-month-old miniature Dachshund, soon felt right at home curling up in front of the log burner.

In the Oak Suite where we stayed, there was plenty of space for him to run about at the dreaded ‘witching hour’ too – not that he needed the space indoors with so much parkland and wood to explore outside.