The Ultimate Guide to Dog-Friendly Pub Walks in Leicestershire
Where Can You Take Your Dog Near Fosse Park and Still Get a Decent Pint?
We have been brewing in Leicestershire since 1849, so we like to think we know a thing or two about a good day out. And if your idea of a good day out involves muddy paws, fresh air, and a well-earned pint at the end of it, then you have come to exactly the right place.
We have seen a fair few wagging tails since we started brewing back in 1849, and it is no secret that a walk just feels right when there is a cold pint waiting at the end. Whether you have a greyhound that loves a sprint or a pug that prefers a slow sniff around the meadows, we have made sure our place is as welcoming for them as it is for you.
Whether you are searching for dog-friendly pubs in Leicester or a proper circular walk through the meadows before a craft beer, this guide is for you.
Why Leicestershire Is One of the Best Counties for a Dog-Friendly Pub Walk
Leicestershire punches well above its weight when it comes to green space, country paths, and welcoming pubs. From the rolling hills around Bradgate Park to the quiet canal towpaths near Fosse Park, there is genuinely something for every dog and every owner here.
The county also has a thriving real ale scene, with award-winning craft beer brewed right here in the heart of the Midlands. Our brewers, like Jon and Darren, are always tinkering. In the last year, we have tapped 120 unique creations from zesty summer pales to rich winter stouts. It is the highest token of our love for the craft. That means there is always something fresh, seasonal, and exciting waiting for you when you and your four-legged friend finish your walk.
Our Favourite Dog-Friendly Walks in Leicestershire
1. Everards Meadows (Fosse Park Area)
Let us start close to home. Everards Meadows is a 70-acre site of beautiful open green space right next to Fosse Park, and it is completely dog-friendly inside and out. The flat, traffic-free paths make it ideal for dogs of all sizes and ages, pushchairs, wheelchairs, and anyone who just wants a relaxed stroll without worrying about traffic.
You can follow the traffic-free paths straight through into Leicester city centre, via the Great Central Way, taking in the scenery along the way, or head in the other direction along the canal towards the Leicestershire countryside. At the end of it, you will find us. Our Beer Hall sits proudly on site, and we genuinely love welcoming four-legged friends.
Walk distance: Flexible, from a gentle stroll to a longer 5km route into the city centre. Dog-friendliness: Fully off-road, flat paths, open green space and woodland.
2. Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood
If you are heading to Bradgate Park, a firm favourite of ours, try the Everards detour. After spotting the deer and taking in those genuinely stunning views across 830 acres of ancient parkland, loop back through Newtown Linford, where you’ll find the recently renovated Bradgate pub waiting to serve you a nice pint of Tiger, so you can keep that Leicestershire heritage going from trail to table.
Walk distance: 5 to 8km, depending on your route.
Dog-friendliness: Mostly open access, leads required in deer zones.
3. Thornton Reservoir
A peaceful three-mile circular walk past wood carvings and local wildlife. Dogs stay on leads throughout, but it is an easy, enjoyable route, particularly good on a quieter weekday morning. You’ll find a handy pit stop along the way in the shape of the Bricklayers, a great pub with a huge pub garden, a great range of beers and always a warm welcome for you and your furry friend.
Walk distance: Approximately 5km circular.
Dog-friendliness: On-lead throughout, accessible and easy-going.
4. The Ashby Canal Towpath
Miles of flat, scenic towpath through the Leicestershire countryside, and dogs absolutely love the stretches near the water. Pack a ball, take a picnic, and if you spot an Everards pub along the way, you know what to do.
Walk distance: As long or short as you like.
Dog-friendliness: Flat, wide towpath, great for all breeds.
Pub Walk Quick Reference Table
Everards Meadows - Flexible Distance - Fully dog-friendly - Best For All ages, families
Bradgate Park - 5 to 8km Distance - Leads near deer - Best For Active dogs, long walks
Thornton Reservoir - 5km Distance - On-lead throughout - Best For Calm, easy days out
Ashby Canal Towpath - Variable Distance - Easy going - Best For Water-loving dogs
What Makes Our Beer Hall the Perfect End to Any Dog Walk Near Fosse Park
Look, Fosse Park is great for a browse, but the Meadows? That is where the real fun starts. Come on in, kick back in your muddy boots, pull up a chair, and let us pour you something proper. Our Beer Hall is not just a pub bolted onto a brewery; it is a destination. You can sit and watch our brewers at work through the glass, enjoy food from our kitchen, and drink craft beer brewed just metres from where you are sitting. There is nowhere quite like it around here.
And yes, we genuinely welcome well-behaved dogs. Here is how it works:
When booking your table, select the Dog Friendly Area. We have got plenty of space for your four-legged friends in our designated dog-friendly zones as well as a gorgeous outside terrace. Look out for our mini beer barrel water stations, a little nod to our brewery roots for thirsty pups. We ask that dogs stay on their leads and off the furniture, which is fair enough, really.
The Everards Beer Hall is one of the few places in Leicestershire where your dog gets their own dedicated menu. While you are enjoying a flight of our small-batch brews, they can tuck into a Pooch Pint or some dog-friendly treats. It is part of why we have been named Best Dog-Friendly Venue at the Tourism and Hospitality Awards. We think about the whole family, paws very much included.
And after a long walk, there is only one proper reward: a pint of Everards Tiger. Our flagship ale, golden, hoppy, and brewed right here on site, has been putting smiles on faces in Leicestershire for decades. If someone asks you what beer to try at a dog-friendly pub in Leicester, now you know the answer.
Throughout the year, we also run charity dog events, so keep an eye on our social channels if you want to get involved in something a bit special.
Beer Hall opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 9 am to 11 pm. Sundays and Bank Holidays: 9 am to 10 pm.
What We Brew: A Quick Guide for Beer Lovers
Our state-of-the-art brewery at Everards Meadows gives us the space and the kit to brew a genuinely exciting range of craft beer. Alongside our core range, our brewers produce seasonal and small-batch beers throughout the year, so the bar area always has something new to try.
We have been recognised as the Pub Company of the Year (Leased and Tenanted under 200 sites) at the Publican Awards a remarkable five times since 2008. That industry-leading recognition is something we are genuinely proud of. It reflects the quality of the people who run our pubs, and the quality of the beer we brew.
If you enjoy what you taste in our Beer Hall, you can also pick up beers in our shop, which is open daily. Limited edition beers, gift sets, and all your Everards favourites are stocked there.
Thinking About Running a Dog-Friendly Pub in Leicestershire?
Ever found yourself sitting in a sun-soaked beer garden, your dog stretched out at your feet, thinking I could do this? You would not be the first. We have helped hundreds of people turn that exact thought into a reality through our Run a Pub programme. It is not a stuffy interview process or a leap into the unknown. It is a hands-on, try-before-you-buy experience where you spend real time in a working pub to see whether it is the right fit for you. If you love people (and dogs) as much as we do, come chat with us.
Tips for a Great Dog-Friendly Pub Walk in Leicestershire
Rather than generic pointers you could find anywhere, here is the Everards-specific checklist for a brilliant day out:
Book the right spot: When reserving your table at the Everards Beer Hall, always select the Dog-Friendly Area. We get busy, and a reservation means you walk straight in rather than hovering in the car park.
Hydration sorted: On the walks themselves, carry water for your dog on longer routes. When you arrive at Everards Meadows, our little beer barrel water stations have your pup covered.
Order from the dog menu: Your four-legged companion has earned a treat just as much as you have. Ask our team about the dedicated dog menu; it is one of the things that makes the Everards Beer Hall genuinely different from anywhere else in Leicester.
End on a Tiger: Finish your walk, settle in, and order a pint of Everards Tiger. There is no better full stop to a day in the Leicestershire countryside.
Come and Find Us
If you are looking for dog-friendly pubs in Leicester or Leicestershire, we think Everards Meadows is a pretty good place to start. Pull up, walk the meadows, enjoy the craft beer, and let your four-legged friend have their moment too.
We are Everards of Leicestershire, Cooper Way, Everards Meadows, Leicestershire, LE19 2AN. Call us on 0116 201 4100 or visit our website: everards.co.uk.
Book a table at our Beer Hall directly at everards.co.uk/beer-hall, or explore our full range of Everards pubs using our pub finder at everards.co.uk/find-your-local. We are opposite Fosse Park. We brew great beer. And your dog is very welcome. Come on in.