GBPA Best for Dogs: The Flying Childers Inn

This untouched gem of a pub, which is neatly tucked into the quintessential Peak District village of Stanton, has been named the best place to take your dog to in the biggest and best pub honours competition – the Great British Pub Awards.

What makes a pub dog friendly, I hear you ask? Convenient water bowl frequently topped up? Perhaps some dog biscuits freely given by the friendly proprietor when a dog is led in? Or the said treats stylishly displayed in a Kilner jar, neatly stashed on the bar that displays, to all, the grateful acceptance of canines? Well, the answer is none of these, yet all of these. Any pub worth its pet-friendly credentials is expected, nay, required, to offer these. That’s not to say these should be dismissed as mere empty gestures from a landlord to lure any dog owner and his furry friend in. They go a long way to make a pub a more comfortable environment to get a dog to relax, lie down and allow the humans to enjoy their pint in relative peace.

But, these creature comforts can be experienced at many locals up and down the country. Any one of the hundreds of entrants in this category while all the finalists tick these boxes and then some. But, what makes it the best? You will have to head to the Peak District and seek out the Flying Childers to really understand why, but, as judge of this category, I will try and put into words what it has created.

Great for all

The Flying Childers has a good selection of ales and its cocktails and spirits selection are on-point, as would be expected with the licensee’s previous experience with mixing drinks. So, the Flying Childers has a great looking pub and a varied drink selection – it’s not all about the dogs after all.

But on walking in, guests and dogs are greeted by a small village shop-esque offer. There are some essentials naturally but a major part of this offer is the great selection of bagged pet snacks, poo bags and dog beer to buy. There are also well-stocked homemade peanut butter dog treats available – it’s worth noting these are not simply shop-bought, generic snacks. 

The pub is cosy, and uses all of its original, untouched charm to create a place to relax post-walk and make this a destination pub to melt into. There may be a growl or two over the well-used, wool-lined dog bed situated next to the fire, however, but doesn’t every pub have its own ‘best seat’?

With its location and hidden garden, dog walkers have a multitude of outdoor options. Frankly, the competition faced a stiff task when considering the location the Flying Childers occupies with beautiful English countryside in every direction. Add to this the untouched, quintessential British country pub interior, including dog bed by the fire, the Flying Childers is every part what one might dream to find at the end of a long walk.