What’s The Three Hills like?
This charming country pub is located in the Cambridgeshire village of Bartlow and dates back to the 17th Century. It is renowned for its fine food, holding 2 AA Rosettes and a Michelin Plate. In 2021, it was also named one of the top 50 gastropubs in the UK. The pub takes its name from an ancient burial site nearby.
How dog-friendly is The Three Hills?
Really good. Pets are welcome in all of the rooms at The Three Hills and beds, bowls and towels are provided. There’s also a jar of dog treats on the bar which they can help themselves to. Dogs are not allowed in the Orangery – which is the main restaurant area – but can dine with their owners in either the bar, snug or covered patio area. There is additional charge of £12.50 per dog per night for overnight stays.
Tell me more about The Three Hills
The characterful pub has six stylish en-suite bedrooms and a two-bedroom flat, spread across both the main building and an annexe. Our beautiful room – Folland – was located above the pub and decorated in soothing shades of blue and white with Victorian-style radiators. Although it was quite compact, the room – accessed via the snug – had been designed to maximise every inch of space and had calming horticultural prints on the wall. The comfy kingsize bed was the main focus but there was also a flatscreen TV and radio, which was playing softly when we arrived, creating a lovely ambience.
The room had a coffee machine, mini-fridge containing fresh milk, water, a selection of tea and biscuits and a handy storage area. This had enough room to hang clothes and tuck away luggage and came complete with a mini ironing board and iron. The modern en-suite shower room was also lovely and had a powerful rainforest shower, fluffy towels and The White Company toiletries. Everything was spotlessly clean, too. As you might expect from an old building, the floors were pretty creaky. There were also feature wooden beams in both the bedroom and the bathroom so anyone over 6ft tall might need to mind their head!
What’s the food like at The Three Hills?
Delicious. As mentioned earlier, the pub has 2 AA Rosettes and a Michelin Plate so you can expect good things. It describes its style of food as ‘modern British’ and dishes such as corn-fed chicken and wild boar and apple sausages can often be found on the menu. Vegetarians and vegans are also catered for, although there’s not a great deal of choice. Mains – many of which are locally sourced – generally cost between £18 and £28.
We visited on a Sunday so tucked in to tasty nut roasts and enormous Yorkshire puddings on the patio, pictured above, followed by a divine chocolate brownie and cheese board for dessert. We didn’t have breakfast as our stay was booked on a room-only basis but it could be added at an extra cost. Be aware that the pub is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays though so only a continental option is available then. Staff are happy to suggest other options for evening meals, too.
Are there resident dogs at The Three Hills?
No, but you will probably meet other dogs who have popped in for drinks, dinner or to stay the night.
Where are the best dog walks near The Three Hills?
Don’t miss a visit to the Roman burial site which inspired the pub’s name. Bartlow Hills, pictured above, is approximately a 10-minute walk from the pub via a footpath that runs alongside the local church. There were originally seven hills at the site – which is the highest burial mound in Britain – and a set of steps takes you to the top of the largest one, which is 13m tall. Although the tumuli are on the border of Essex and Cambridgeshire, the hills are affectionately known as the ‘Essex Pyramids’ and are well worth visiting.
For a longer walk, try the Bartlow to Ashdon loop, which also takes in the Bartlow Hills and the Ashdon windmill. This five-mile circular walk starts and finishes at the pub so is ideal for guests to do – especially those with dogs. As well as the two main sights mentioned above, it also takes in a disused railway line and several fields and meadows. For more information about the route, visit the walks page on The Three Hills’ website.
What Ernie and Stan loved about The Three Hills
The doggy welcome pack, the fuss from staff, the great walks nearby
What I loved about The Three Hills
The stylish rooms, the friendly service, the delicious food
How to book The Three Hills
Overnight stays start from £90 per night. For more information or to book, call 01223 890500 or visit The Three Hills website.