It's the weekend - and an extra long one at that - which means it's the ideal time to spend a relaxing afternoon at the pub.

And, for many of us, that's even more enjoyable when we can take our pet pooches with us.

You could even combine it with a walk in the lovely Leicestershire countryside.

Here in Leicestershire, there’s plenty of pubs that provide a warm welcome to dogs, so here's a selection to try.......

Foxton Locks Inn, Foxton

Based at the bottom locks, the Inn offers a great location for a bit of canal boat-spotting from its terrace.

The pub is dog-friendly and allows dogs on all of the hard surfaced areas (the bar and terrace).

Foxton Locks
Foxton Locks

Water bowls are available for four-legged friends, as well as free dog treats!

The Inn has a wide range of real ales and home-made food. Booking is advised, particularly on a Sunday.

The Curzon Arms, Woodhouse Eaves

The Curzon Arms is an old fashioned village pub with a contemporary feel.

You can enjoy real ales and seasonal British food in this pub, which has a traditional bar area, lounge bar and restaurant, and a large terrace and grass beer garden.

Dogs are welcome in the bar area of the pub, where owners can eat if they wish.

Water bowls are provided and there’s dog treats available to buy.  

The Bradgate - Newtown Linford

This country pub is situated close to beautiful Bradgate Park, so it’s an ideal place to pop into before or after a stroll around the park.

There is a specific area of the pub where dogs are allowed inside and there is a lovely garden. Water bowls are provided.

The pub serves food - including pub classics, sandwiches and pizzas, cooked on the pub’s open plan stone bake oven - seven days a week.

Booking is advised for those wanting to dine. 

The White Hart, Loughborough

In the centre of Loughborough, The White Hart is a traditional British pub with a passion for real ales and an appetite for great food.

All food is freshly prepared using local produce when possible.

Canine companions are made very welcome with fresh water, biscuits, treats and occasionally even bones, provided free of charge.

Dogs are welcome until 9pm, but must be kept on leads. Dogs aren’t allowed on the lawned area of the beer garden.

The Old Horse, Leicester

The Old Horse is a 19th Century coaching inn on London Road, which has recently undergone a refurbishment.

It offers traditional ales and home-cooked food, including a daily changing hot plate menu and a la carte menu served Monday to Saturday. On Sundays you can enjoy a traditional carvery.

The Old Horse
The Old Horse

The Old Horse is very dog friendly and dogs are allowed in all areas of the pub including the large garden, as long as they are kept on a lead. Dog bowls are available.  Plus, there's even doggy Sunday dinners for them to enjoy!

The Parcel Yard

Next door to Leicester Railway Station, this pub's name takes inspiration from the building’s original purpose as a sorting office and parcel yard for British rail.

There's a great selection of real ales, fine wines, craft beers and a menu featuring all day brunch, lunch and evening meals.

Dogs are welcome in the bar and garden areas, and water bowls are provided.

The Crown Inn, Old Dalby

This village pub is a great spot to enjoy a cosy drink by the log fire in the winter or drink in the garden in the summer. It offers  ‘proper grub’ available seven days a week.

Dogs are welcome at The Crown Inn
Dogs are welcome at The Crown Inn

Dogs are welcome in the bar area of the pub. Water bowls are provided and you can also purchase dog treats. 

The Windmill, Wymeswold

A hidden gem in the village of Wymeswold, The Windmill offers real ales and seasonal British food. There’s a traditional bar area, lounge bar and restaurant, while outside there’s a terrace and beer garden.

A warm welcome is given to four-legged friends, who are able to join you in The Windmill’s bar area. Water bowls are provided.

The Blue Bell Inn, Rothley

In the Charnwood village of Rothley, this lovely pub boasts a great bar and restaurant, and a large terrace and garden.

There’s even a wood-fired oven, which is used to cook delicious-looking pizzas.

Staffy Major at The Blue Bell Inn
Staffy Major at The Blue Bell Inn

Dogs are welcome in The Blue Bell’s bar area. Water bowls are provided and treats can be purchased. 

The Dog and Gun, Syston

The Dog and Gun is a real ale and drinks emporium offering four hand pulled real ales, traditional scrumpy ciders, draught fruit beers, draught and bottled craft beer and a good wine and spirit selection.

Dogs are welcome in the bar and garden areas, and water bowls are provided.

The Cow and Plough, Oadby

Housed in old farm buildings at Stoughton Park, The Cow and Plough offers an array of real ales and wines, and has an a la carte restaurant. Sunday lunch, served in the restaurant and conservatory, is a popular draw.

The Cow & Plough is one of the Steamin' Billy pubs
The Cow & Plough is one of the Steamin' Billy pubs

Well behaved dogs are welcome at The Cow and Plough, in the bar areas and in the garden. Water bowls are available, and you can even buy homemade dog treats from Little Barker Bakery.

The Railway, Hinckley

Close to Hinckley town centre, The Railway offers drinks including seven hand pulled real ales and a traditional Scrumpy Cider on draught. There’s also a range of traditional food available.The Railway has an outdoor seating area and rear beer garden.

Well behaved dogs are welcome in the bar areas and garden, and water bowls are provided.