A Dog-Friendly Stay in Blackheath:
Walks, Pubs and Days Out Near The Clarendon
Taking the dog away should be the easy option. No kennels to arrange, no guilty goodbye at the front door and no wondering what they’re getting up to while you’re away.
The reality can feel rather different. You find somewhere you’d like to stay, then discover dogs aren’t allowed. You plan a day out, only to realise there’s nowhere suitable to stop for lunch. Even a simple walk can involve more research than the rest of the trip put together.
Blackheath makes all of that much easier. There’s open space for the first walk of the morning, Greenwich Park when everyone’s ready to go further and plenty of pubs, cafés and days out where dogs can come along too. Better still, much of it can be reached on foot, so the lead can go on and the day can unfold without too much planning.
Before You Pack the Lead
Dogs are very welcome at The Clarendon, but there are a few practical things to know before you arrive:
Up to two dogs per room: We welcome a maximum of two dogs in each designated dog-friendly room.
A small nightly charge: There’s a fee of £7.50 per dog, per night.
Tell us when you book: Dogs can stay in selected rooms only, so please let our team know they’ll be joining you. That gives us time to allocate the right room and get everything ready for your arrival.
Leads in public areas: Dogs should be well behaved and kept on a lead while they’re moving through the hotel.
A few dog-free spaces: Dogs aren’t permitted in the Meridian Restaurant, but they’re welcome in the lobby, bar areas and outdoor spaces.
Paws off the furniture: We ask that dogs stay off beds, chairs and other furniture during the visit.
Be considerate of other guests: Owners are responsible for any excessive noise, disruption or damage caused during the stay.
Travelling with a cat? Well-behaved cats may also be able to stay by prior arrangement. Speak to our team before booking so we can discuss what you need.
Once that’s sorted, you can move on to more important questions, such as which walk to do first and whether Scoop’s dog-friendly ice cream counts as an acceptable reward before lunch.
Begin with Blackheath
The first walk of the day doesn’t need a route map or a drive to the nearest park. Blackheath sits directly opposite The Clarendon, giving you more than 200 acres of open space as soon as you step outside.
It’s particularly lovely early in the morning, when the village is waking up and the heath still feels quiet. Take a quick loop before breakfast, let your dog investigate every interesting patch of grass or keep going until a ten-minute stroll has quietly turned into an hour.
You can follow the paths towards Hare and Billet Pond, pass All Saints’ Church or simply pick a direction. That’s part of the appeal: a good walk here doesn’t require much organisation.
Keep Going into Greenwich Park
Some mornings, everyone’s clearly in the mood to go further. Carry on across the heath and you’ll reach Greenwich Park, where open grassland gives way to tree-lined avenues, shaded paths and some of the best views in this part of London.
The climb towards the General Wolfe statue is worth it. From the top, you can look across the National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House and the London skyline before making your way down towards Greenwich. By that point, the morning walk has usually become a day out — which is no bad thing.
Let Greenwich Take Care of the Rest of the Day
Once you’ve reached Greenwich, there’s no reason to turn straight around. Dogs can join you for more of the area than you might expect, so you won’t have to choose between seeing the sights and keeping the whole family together.
Browse Greenwich Market: Dogs are welcome on leads, which means you can wander past the independent shops and craft stalls while following whichever street-food stand smells most convincing.
Walk beside the Thames: The riverside is only a few minutes from the market. Wander around the Cutty Sark, follow part of the Thames Path or find a bench and watch the boats go by while everyone catches their breath.
Give tired paws a rest: Dogs are welcome aboard Uber Boat by Thames Clippers services when they’re kept on a lead. It’s an easy way to see more of London without asking anyone to walk all the way there and back.
Catch a dog-friendly film: Greenwich Picturehouse runs selected screenings where dogs can join their owners. Dates vary, so it’s worth checking the current programme before promising your dog a cinema trip.
You might only stay for an hour. You might find yourself lingering until late afternoon. Either way, Greenwich gives you enough to do without forcing you to leave your dog behind.
Where to Stop When Everyone’s Hungry
A long walk tends to produce a tired dog, a hungry owner and at least one person who’s become very particular about what they want for lunch. Fortunately, there are plenty of relaxed local options.
River Gardens Café: This one’s for dogs – and owners – with a little more mileage in them. Continue beyond historic Greenwich towards Greenwich Peninsula and you’ll find a family-run café offering fresh water, biscuits and dog-friendly ice cream.
Greenwich Market: A useful choice when nobody can agree what they’d like to eat. Dogs of all sizes are welcome on leads, and the street-food traders offer everything from a quick snack to a more substantial lunch.
The Hare & Billet: Just across the heath from The Clarendon, this friendly Blackheath pub is an easy place to finish a walk. Dogs are welcome, and the menu covers seasonal pub food, bar snacks and Sunday roasts.
The Spanish Galleon: Close to the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Market, this traditional pub welcomes dogs and serves light bites, burgers and Sunday roasts – handy when you want somewhere easy to sit down without overcomplicating the day.
A Day That Doesn’t Need Much Planning
You don’t need to schedule every hour to make the most of Blackheath and Greenwich. In fact, this is one of those days that’s often better when you leave a little room for detours.
Start with a slow walk across the heath. If everyone’s still keen, carry on through Greenwich Park and pause at the top of the hill for the view. From there, wander down towards Greenwich Market for lunch, allowing time for the usual sniffing stops and changes of direction.
Spend the afternoon by the river, follow a stretch of the Thames Path or take a dog-friendly river boat when paws start to tire. Then make your way back through the park and across the heath, returning to The Clarendon without a complicated journey at the end of the day.
It’s still a proper London day out. It just comes with more fresh air, fewer Tube changes and no awkward moment when the dog has to miss out.
Bring the Dog. We’ll Help with the Rest.
The Clarendon gives you a comfortable base for exploring an unusually dog-friendly corner of London.
Blackheath is outside the front door, Greenwich Park is an easy walk away and there are pubs, cafés, markets and riverside routes nearby where dogs are genuinely welcome. You can fill the day or take it slowly and still feel as though you’ve had a proper change of scene.
Book directly and let us know your dog’s coming so we can allocate one of our designated dog-friendly rooms. You can also ask our team any questions before you travel, which is always useful when the packing list includes leads, bowls and a suspicious number of emergency treats.
Then pack the walking shoes, bring the dog and leave a little space in the plan. Blackheath and Greenwich will give you plenty of ideas once you’re here.