What’s The Bear of Rodborough like?
Perched on top of the rolling hills of Rodborough Common, this relaxed hotel makes for a great country getaway. It started life as a coaching inn back in the 17th Century and its original flagstone floor remains. The Bear of Rodborough is part of the Cotswold Inns & Hotels group, which was acquired by Fullers in 2019.
How dog-friendly is The Bear of Rodborough?
Really dog-friendly. When we checked in, there was a doggy welcome pack waiting for Ernie in the room which consisted of a bed, blanket, bowl and food mat. And handily, there are several poo bins dotted around the hotel grounds.
As well as the Pavilion Garden Bar, pets are allowed in the rambling Bear Bar, which is spread across a handful of rooms. Dogs are also welcome in the stylish Common Room and it is here that breakfast is served for dog owners. They are not allowed in the Library Restaurant. There’s an extra charge of £20 per night for dogs to stay, plus £10 per additional pet.
Tell me more about The Bear of Rodborough
There are 46 en-suite rooms at the hotel ranging from Good to Very Good and Excellent. We followed a maze of winding corridors through the main building to find ours – Room 41, an Executive Double in the Country House next-door. As well as being on the ground floor, which was handy for Ernie, it was at the back of the hotel so nice and quiet.
With Shaker-style furniture, the spacious room – which was decorated in pastel shades of green and blue – had a real country vibe to it. This contrasted nicely with the retro fixtures and fittings. Think rotary dial telephones, green velvet chairs and light fittings on pulleys.
The bed, with its colourful feature headboard, was enormous and the same could be said for the shower cubicle in the bathroom, which had a mix of wood panelling and funky tiles on the walls, not to mention luxurious Bramley toiletries.
We visited soon after the first coronavirus lockdown had lifted and a number of measures had been put in place to protect guests and staff. When we checked in, our room key and welcome letter was handed over in a sealed envelope and there were lots of hand sanitisers and a one-way system in place throughout the main building. Guests were also being asked to wear masks in all public areas of the hotel, unless eating or drinking.
What’s the food like at The Bear of Rodborough?
Lovely. The hotel’s seasonal menus celebrate British produce and have everything from corn-fed chicken schnitzel to Cornish mussels on the menu. There are also some more unusual options, such as Courgette Bread and Butter Pudding, and whether you choose to dine in the bar or restaurant, there is a relaxed, informal vibe.
When we visited, the hotel was offering a reduced menu but there were three different versions of it floating around. Not everything was actually available, which was rather confusing, but we really couldn’t fault the food we had. The chef ended up making my husband a special cheese dish for a starter and the vegan burger was delicious.
Are there resident dogs at The Bear of Rodborough?
No, but there will probably be plenty of others staying. We met five on our visit!
Where are the best dog walks near The Bear of Rodborough?
They start right from the front door. The hotel is set within 300 acres of land that is owned and maintained by the National Trust. Rodborough Common leads into Minchinhampton Common, which has a golf course right in the middle. For an easy mile-long walk with great views over the surrounding Stroud valley, click here.
The Common is also home to a herd of Belted Galloway cows so be sure to keep your dog on a lead and take care around the cattle grids. If your dog also likes rolling in cowpats, like Ernie, be on your guard – and watch your step!
What Ernie loved about The Bear of Rodborough
The doggy welcome pack, the sausage for breakfast, the potential to roll in so many cowpats nearby
What I loved about The Bear of Rodborough
The maze-like layout, the stylish rooms, the peaceful location
How to book The Bear of Rodborough
Rooms start from £89 per night, including breakfast. An extra £1 is also added to every bill and donated to a local children’s hospice. For more information or to book, call 01453 878522 or visit The Bear of Rodborough website.