1 / 8The Royal Hotel
Bideford, Devon
Yes. Dogs can stay in most rooms.
A historic riverside hotel in Bideford with direct access to the Tarka Trail, where well behaved dogs can join you in Merchants Brasserie.
Starting life as a colonial house in 1688 and later turned into Bideford's jail, The Royal Hotel still has parts of its prison cells standing, alongside a 335-year-old oak staircase and a lounge with its original pine panelling and ornate ceiling. Views over the River Torridge come with some of the rooms, and as a dog friendly hotel with direct access to the Tarka Trail, it puts the walking right on your dog's doorstep.
Most of the 32 rooms take dogs, and on the hotel's room list the Classic Comforts rooms, which sleep two to four, and the Cosy Rooms both carry the dog friendly label. The hotel pictures a stay here as walks, woodland trails for your dog to sniff out and views of North Devon's beaches. On dog beds or bowls, numbers of dogs and time alone in the room, the hotel's pages don't say, so raise them when you book.
Merchants Brasserie is where you and the dog eat together, since the hotel welcomes well behaved dogs there with their owners for lunch or dinner. The kitchen takes pride in locally sourced produce, from breakfast to an evening meal. Mornings from Monday to Saturday bring the Royal Coffee Club, a dog friendly spot for coffee, cake and breakfast baps.
Room service runs 24 hours. Your dog's longer outings are close by too: Tarka Trail: Fremington Quay to Instow appears on Wildpack 4.9 miles from the hotel, and Westward Ho! Beach, our nearest dog friendly beach to Bideford, sits 2.6 miles away.
Facts checked October 2026 from the hotel's own website. Details can change, so please confirm anything important, especially the dog rules, with the hotel before you book.
At a Glance: Dogs
- Rooms for dogs
- Most rooms
- Dogs per room
- The hotel doesn't say
- Size or breed limits
- The hotel doesn't say
- Dog fee
- £20 per night
- Left alone in the room
- The hotel doesn't say
- In the bar
- The hotel doesn't say
- In the lounge
- The hotel doesn't say
- Eating with your dog
- In the restaurant
- In the grounds
- The hotel doesn't say
- Dog extras
- The hotel doesn't say
- Walks from the door
- Yes
- Nearest dog friendly beach
- Westward Ho! Beach, 2.6 miles
Where the hotel doesn't say, check with the hotel when you book.
Book your stay
The Royal Hotel is booked through Booking.com. Tell the hotel you are bringing your dog when you book.
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For You
- Eating and drinking
- Brasserie and afternoon tea
- Rooms
- Suites
- Views
- River views
- Parking
- Free parking
- Children
- Children welcome
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Royal Hotel dog friendly?
Yes. Dogs can stay in most rooms. This comes from The Royal Hotel's own website. Details can change, so check with the hotel when you book.
How many dogs can I bring to The Royal Hotel?
The hotel doesn't say how many dogs you can bring, so check with the hotel when you book.
Is there a charge for dogs at The Royal Hotel?
£20 per night.
Can I eat with my dog at The Royal Hotel?
You can eat with your dog in the restaurant.
Can I leave my dog in the room at The Royal Hotel?
The hotel doesn't say whether dogs can be left alone in the room, so check with the hotel when you book.
Are there dog walks near The Royal Hotel?
The hotel says there are walks straight from the door. Dog friendly walks on Wildpack within 5 miles include Tarka Trail: Fremington Quay to Instow (4.9 miles).
Is there a dog friendly beach near The Royal Hotel?
The nearest dog friendly beach on Wildpack is Westward Ho! Beach, 2.6 miles away. Check its page for any seasonal dog restrictions before you go.
Check dates and availability for The Royal Hotel
Book now with Booking.comWhat’s Nearby?
Beach2.6 mi awayWestward Ho! Beach
Devon
The north end stays open to dogs year round and backs onto Northam Burrows, giving reliable access even when the main beach is restricted in summer.
Walk4.9 mi awayTarka Trail: Fremington Quay to Instow
Devon
A flat estuary trail along the Taw Estuary with big sky views across the water, excellent for dogs and straightforward year round.
Walk5.1 mi awayTorrington Commons Circular Walk (Great Torrington)
Devon
A commons and riverside walk on the edge of Great Torrington, with views across the Torridge Valley and good off-lead stretches.
Beach6.8 mi awaySaunton Sands
Devon
Over three miles of open sand with no seasonal ban, backed by a UNESCO-listed dune system that makes it one of Devon's most reliable dog friendly beaches.
Walk7.1 mi awaySaunton Sands and Braunton Burrows Walk
Devon
A dog friendly North Devon loop combining the three mile sweep of Saunton Sands with the wild dunes of Braunton Burrows, a UNESCO biosphere reserve where dogs can usually run free.
Beach7.8 mi awayCroyde Beach
Devon
One of the UK's most celebrated surf beaches, Croyde is stunning but off-limits to dogs entirely from May to September -- an autumn and winter destination only for dog owners.
Dog Friendly Hotels Nearby
The closest dog friendly hotels to The Royal Hotel. Every dog fact comes from the hotel's own website.
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All dog friendly hotels in Devon