What’s Galtres Lodge like?
This independent hotel, spanning two Georgian townhouses, is packed full of personality and charm. It is located in the very heart of York and all of the city’s main attractions – such as York Minster and The Shambles – are within easy walking distance. The hotel, which has a number of historic features, has a classic yet quirky vibe. It is gradually being refurbished throughout.
How dog-friendly is Galtres Lodge?
It’s excellent. Dogs are welcome in most rooms and will have a bed, blanket, bowl and treat waiting for them upon arrival. Dog towels are also available at reception for muddy paws. There is a big jar of treats on the bar and dogs can join their owners for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the back half of the restaurant. They’re also welcome in the Secret Garden – a pretty little courtyard tucked away at the back of the hotel. There is an additional charge of £15 per dog per stay and while there are no limits on the number of pets per room, the hotel recommends a maximum of two.
Tell me more about Galtres Lodge
There are 12 rooms at the hotel, which is named after the ancient Royal Forest of Galtres. We stayed in No.9 on the second floor which had two big windows overlooking Lower Petergate. The spacious room was decorated in soothing shades of duck-egg blue and cream and had a four-poster style bed with a huge footboard. There was lots of storage and space for Ernie and Stan, as well as an original fireplace, flatscreen TV and bedside lamps with built-in USB charging points. There was also a tea and coffee-making tray complete with shortbread biscuits and a great welcome pack with lots of local information.
A panelled wall cleverly disguised the quirky bathroom, which housed a small but powerful shower. We also had complimentary Cole & Lewis toiletries, which were lovely. For us, the only negatives were the lack of blackout curtains and the noise from delivery vans outside in the mornings – but that can’t really be helped because much of York city centre is pedestrianised between 10.30am and 5pm. It didn’t spoil our enjoyment of the stay at all but if you are a light sleeper, it might be worth asking for a room away from the main road. If you’re travelling by car, off-site parking can also be arranged for an additional fee.
What’s the food like at Galtres Lodge?
Excellent. The hotel’s rustic Forest restaurant was revamped during lockdown and is now an Instagrammer’s dream with lots of greenery, exposed brickwork and retro metal signs. The food served is just as dreamy too, with delicious dishes such as Rump Steak, Sea Bass and Crab Thermidor. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for and the dessert menu is excellent, too. There is a great selection of Yorkshire cheeses, for example, and I loved the traditional Back to School Tasters, which consisted of mini portions of Spotted Dick, Sticky Toffee Pudding and Treacle Sponge.
There’s a real emphasis on fresh, local produce at Forest with much of the food coming from the nearby markets. And if you don’t have time to stay for dinner then the quirky afternoon tea is a must. The finale is the amazing ‘Forest Floor’, which has edible soil, pistachio moss, chocolate pebbles and meringue toadstools. Breakfast is well worth getting out of bed for, too. There are lots of options to suit all tastes and appetites but if you have a sweet tooth, try the Treat Yourself Porridge with Salted Caramel York Fudge. It’s delicious!
Are there resident dogs at Galtres Lodge?
Yes, Toby the Lhasapoo can often be found checking in guests or snoozing behind the reception desk. That’s him, pictured below, in York Museum Gardens.
Where are the best dog walks near Galtres Lodge?
The York Museum Gardens, near the station, are a great place to visit with dogs. The botanical gardens, which surround the Yorkshire Museum, span more than 10 acres and stand on the site of the former St Mary’s Abbey. You can still see the abbey ruins today, as well as an observatory, edible wood and more. The gardens are free to visit all year round but dogs must be kept on a lead.
The River Ouse – the sixth largest river in the UK – also flows right through York so there are plenty of options for waterside strolls. A two-mile circular walk will allow you to see the 20-acre Rowntree Park, the Millennium Bridge, Tower Gardens and York Castle. To read more about the route and find out how to extend it, click here. You will also pass some of the city’s medieval walls as you walk – which are free to visit and well worth checking out – but unfortunately dogs are not allowed. For more suggestions when it comes to dog-friendly things to see and do, check out our Ruff Guide to York.
What Ernie and Stan loved about Galtres Lodge
The welcome pack, having so many great walks nearby, being allowed in the restaurant
What I loved about Galtres Lodge
The fantastic refurb so far, the delicious food, the friendly staff
How to book Galtres Lodge
Rooms start from £90, including breakfast. You can save up to 15% by booking direct, too. For more information, call 01904 622478 or visit the Galtres Lodge website.