What’s St Anne’s House B&B like?
This luxurious B&B is housed in a Georgian building in Sutton Bonington, a pretty village on the borders of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire. With comfy rooms, open fires and fabulous food, you’ll be in for a real treat if you stay here. Nothing is too much trouble for owners Chris and Janine Bone, who have a great surname considering they run a dog-friendly B&B!
How dog-friendly is St Anne’s House B&B?
It’s amazing. Ernie had a welcome pack waiting for him in our room, consisting of a cosy bed, blanket, toy and treats. He also got sausages and bacon for breakfast and was allowed to roam freely around the house – even in the kitchen when Chris was cooking!
There’s a lovely garden at St Anne’s House and, as long as the main gate is closed, it is nice and secure. Chris and Janine made a real fuss of Ernie too, and were keen for him to enjoy his stay as much as we did. It was lovely not to have to keep him on lead all the time and as a result, I think we all relaxed more. It felt like a real home from home.
Tell me more about St Anne’s House B&B
Stay in one of the four beautifully-appointed rooms, all named after plants. We opted for Hollyhock, which had a rustic yet cosy feel. The room, which is one of two en-suites, was also tucked away down a corridor so we felt like we had a little wing of the house to ourselves.
Hollyhock had a traditional metal bedstead flanked by two stylish chairs with views of the churchyard next-door. We had everything we could possibly need to relax too, whether we wanted to listen to the radio, read magazines or work our way through a boxset on Netflix. There was also a handy information folder packed with details of the local pubs and attractions.
The room contained a range of hot drinks and biscuits, as well as fresh flowers and a decanter of port, which was replenished every day. Luxurious The White Company toiletries could be found in the shower room and I loved all the other thoughtful touches too, such as the box of essentials in the hallway, with things like toothbrushes and paracetamol.
What’s the food like at St Anne’s House B&B?
Wonderful. Chris’s breakfasts – served in the orangery – will set you up for the day, and then some. Much of the food is locally sourced, too. Cereal is followed by fruit salad, then doorstep toast made with home-baked bread and Janine’s finest jams and preserves. A range of hot options can also be ordered, from a Full English to a three-egg omelette. I thoroughly recommend the Welsh rarebit!
Chris is more than happy to cook evening meals, too. At the time of writing, three courses cost £20. He whipped up a lovely vegetarian feast for us, with different desserts. And as if that wasn’t impressive enough, he did it while cooking a full roast for four other B&B guests. Somehow, he still found time to come in and chat to us, too. I take my hat off to him!
The food at The Kings Head, at the bottom of the lane, is also excellent. When we visited, the owners made a point of coming over to meet Ernie. They even brought their own three dogs – Autumn the Old English Sheepdog, Bailey the German Shepherd and Piper the black lab – down to say hello. The Anchor Inn, a 10-minute walk away, doesn’t serve food but is worth visiting just for pub dog, Esme the Westie. And don’t miss a visit to Gallery 119 on Main Street, which is locally renowned for its ‘Cruffins’ – a delicious hybrid of croissants and muffins. Dogs aren’t allowed inside, but there is an outdoor seating area.
Are there resident dogs at St Anne’s House B&B?
Yes, the lovely Hamish. He’s a very friendly Westie who enjoys making new doggy pals. He can often be found snoozing on the sofa or keeping an eye on who’s coming up the lane from the top of the garden steps. He’ll also be right by your feet at breakfast time, just in case you need a hand finishing your food!
Where are the best dog walks near St Anne’s House B&B
A stroll through Sutton Bonington is a delight. The village runs for approximately one mile to end-to-end. Alternatively, follow the footpath to West Leake that passes the front gate of St Anne’s House. Simply go through the churchyard, over the railway line and across the open fields.
We spent a lovely morning at Rushcliffe Country Park, a 15-minute drive away. There’s a dog agility area and lots of trails to explore with well-signposted red, amber and green zones. These let you know where dogs can be safely let off lead, which is a really good idea. All-day parking costs £1.
It’s also worth making the effort to visit Wollaton Hall, just outside Nottingham. Dogs aren’t allowed inside this grand Elizabethan house, pictured above, but they can explore the 500 acres of parkland. Here, herds of red and fallow deer roam freely so keep dogs on lead. Pets are also welcome inside both of the onsite cafes. It’s free to enter the grounds but you’ll need to pay £3 for three hours’ parking.
What Ernie loved about St Anne’s House B&B
The fuss from the owners and other guests, getting lots of treats at the breakfast table, having a secure garden to explore
What I loved about St Anne’s House B&B
The wonderful owners, the fantastic food, the fact Ernie could roam freely around the communal areas of the house, making it feel like a real home-from-home
How to book St Anne’s House B&B
Rooms start from £100 per night, including breakfast. For more information or to book, call 07769 748415 or visit the St Anne’s House B&B website.