The woof guide to Lancaster

Why didn’t the humans ever bring me here before? In fact, they themselves are wondering why they left it so long to visit Lancaster.

For a start, it has a really cool, youthful vibe as it has a huge university campus a few miles out of the centre as well as lots of very lovely historic-looking buildings. It feels a lot like York minus the Minster and the crazy tourism. It is also the paw-fect base for exploring the coast and countryside.

Our first stop on a bright warm day was Williamson Park, which is about a 30mi nute walk from the city centre. I dragged the humans huffing and puffing up a hilly road until we came to an opening into woodland and a stunning country park. There’s a huge building called the Ashton Memorial, which would be impres sive anywhere in the world, but it is here and if you climb up to its viewing point, you can see for miles and miles over

There’s a butterfly house, a play area and a cafe and 53.6 acres for me to run around. I did try to cover a lot of ground as this is one great place for dogs, but after a while, the humans got tired, so we walked back into the city centre and the humans went for a coffee in Priory Hall, run by Lancaster tea and coffee importers Atkinsons, who have a stunning shop next door. There was another young Pom in the cafe with his owners who was trying to attract my at tention and I let him hang around me for about five seconds, then told him I’d had enough. I didn’t want him cramping my style! They love having dogs in here though and I received lots of attention from everyone. It was the same in lots of places. I had lots of cuddles and treats from dog-friendly shop owners and when we got to the hotel, I had even more!

We were staying at the Lancaster House Hotel, which is not in the city but very close to the university campus. Lucky us, we had a beautiful and very relaxing suite. If you love a bath, you would not be disappointed with the one in the bathroom. It was huge. There was a little sitting room with a sofa, TV, fridge, in fact, everything you need, and a large comfy bed. The room was a big hit with us all.

We went for dinner in the bar, although we could have eaten in the lounge area – dogs are forbidden in the restaurant, but that’s OK. It looked very nice though.

Fish and chips and a chickpea curry were followed by something called Lancaster Courting Cake – a sponge filled with cream and topped with strawberries for the humans, while I was happy with treats and people-watching.

Next morning, we left early to have breakfast at the Tollhouse Inn, a vast, airy building with 28 bedrooms, bar, brasserie, courtyard and period features – a haven in the heart of Lancaster. I helped the humans eat a full English breakfast of top-quality bacon, eggs, sausage, hash browns, mushrooms and black pudding. It was the perfect start to another day of gazing at the historic buildings and encountering the friendly faces of lovely Lancaster.

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