It may be on the very edge of London, but get into the wide open countryside to the south and west and you’d never know it. Forget commuter country or urban sprawl and think unspoiled landscapes which feel untouched by the modern world – and loads of space. The perfect place then, for the owner of a boisterous dog to escape to the country for fresh air, exercise and hopefully, good food in relaxing surroundings.
So on my never ending mission to find the perfect dog-friendly getaway, within easy reach of Oxfordshire, I found myself on a summer Sunday in the lovely town of Farnham, checking into a ridiculously historic inn called simply, The Bush. This ivy-covered independent hotel opened its doors to guests in 1618, so has had plenty of experience of accommodating dogs and their owners. Driving into the pretty market town after some twisty forested roads made us forget about the worries of the week, and even the the stress of delays caused by a broken down lorry on the A34, instantly vanished.
Everything was starting to look good – not least the old quirky pubs we passed on our way to The Bush. Having an energetic dog, we were relieved to find a good sized car park, but had an even better surprise when we parked up and wandered round to find the front of the hotel. The front is very impressive with a huge-lawned front garden.
Inside was an interesting mix of old world and new. It is beautifully designed with lots of wood, big open fireplaces, pillars and narrow corridors.