The Bellflower in Preston offers dogs two menus and sticks

The Bellflower in Preston won the award of the official best pub for dogs in the UK.

The ‘A La Barke’ menu at the pub includes sausages, burgers and even shrimp and dogs of all sizes are invited to enjoy the experience with portions ranging from ‘Teacup’ to ‘Great Dane’.

Two dog bars at the pub allow owners to pour their pooches a dog-friendly beer, wine or gin and there’s a stick library where dogs can find big sticks to play with.

The pub in Preston offers dogs both food and drinks including dog-friendly beer, wine and gin (Image: SWNS)

Dogs can also eat their own Sunday lunch while their owners tuck into theirs but if your dog just wants a bar snack, they can visit the bar and grab chicken feet and pig stouts.

In 2022, the pub was named the best for dogs by the Great British Pub Awards and it’s been nominated in the same category again this year, the third time in a row.

Heather Porter-Brandwood, 35, general manager, said: “To be recognised and make it to the finalist stage again is just brilliant.

"We have worked really hard to make sure we are inclusive for everybody including dogs.

“I always joke saying the dogs offer a little bit of staff therapy.

“When you have had a long day, you can spend a little bit of time talking to the owners and getting some cuddles from the dogs. It is lovely.

“It is great to see lots of wagging tails. We do loads to make dogs feel at home at the Bellflower.

“We have the ‘A La Barke’ menu for our dog customers alongside a Sunday special menu for those who have been good.

“Two dog-friendly bars which include dog-friendly gin, wine, ale and lager.

“We also have ‘dog doo-dah’ all-natural treats from chickens’ feet to pig stouts, and dog stick library and a muddy paws station in the beer garden too; these are just some of the things we do for dogs here.”

The Bellflower pub is nominated for the award again this year (Image: SWNS)

Heather, who also lives in Garstang, Preston, said: “The smallest we do is the ‘teacup canine’ which is a small meal of a burger, sausage, and gravy, all the way up to the ‘Great Dane’ containing multiple sausages, burgers, mash - all the good stuff dogs like.

“The pub is really popular with dog lovers. We have people who travel from across the nation to visit.

“We get lots of reviews on Tripadvisor or Facebook sharing how much they love the place and what we do which is always fantastic.”

The pub has two separate dog-friendly areas so people who want to visit the pub but not sit next to dogs can enjoy their food elsewhere.

The large green area in the pub’s garden can seat up to 150 guests at its tables and kids can enjoy the climbing frames.

The area can also be rented out in the morning to give your dog some exercise.

Winners will be chosen at a ceremony at Victoria Warehouse, Manchester on September 19, 2023.