What’s The Tower Hotel like?
This independent boutique hotel is located in the historic Bailgate area of Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter. It has a moderate Art Deco vibe and the water tower that inspired its name is just across the street. Lincoln Castle is opposite the hotel, too.
How dog-friendly is The Tower Hotel?
Good, although no provisions are provided for pets so you’ll need to bring your own beds, bowls and food. Dogs are not allowed in No.THIRTY8 – the main hotel restaurant – but they are welcome in the courtyard garden and lovely bar area, where you’ll find a big jar of gravy bones. There is an extra charge of £15 per pet per night.
Tell me more about The Tower Hotel
There are 15 rooms at the hotel and many of them have recently been given a stylish makeover with feature wallpaper and panelled walls – but sadly, ours wasn’t one of them! Saying that though, it had everything we needed for our one-night stay and was lovely and spacious. We stayed in Room 14, which was on the first floor of the hotel and overlooked the courtyard garden. It was decorated in shades of cream and purple and had a comfy kingsize bed. There was also a feature fireplace with Art Deco tiles and stylish light fittings that evoked the era.
Our room had plenty of storage as well as tea and coffee-making facilities and complimentary biscuits. The en-suite shower room also came complete with Duck Island toiletries. The hotel does not have a car park but it does have a limited number of permits for the street outside, where you can usually park for an hour for free. Alternatively, there are two large car parks opposite the hotel, in the shadow of Lincoln Castle. At the time of writing, these cost £9 for 24 hours.
What’s the food like at The Tower Hotel?
Award-winning. The No.THIRTY8 restaurant serves everything from fish and chips to burgers and pork belly – with a lot more inventive options in between. I particularly liked the sound of the broccoli and blue cheese arancini on the All Day Menu, as well as the sticky toffee and stout pudding. We only got to sample the hotel breakfast during our stay but that was certainly delicious with plenty of cooked and continental options to suit all tastes.
If you don’t fancy dining in, try the Wig & Mitre on Steep Hill – an atmospheric pub that welcomes dogs. The wonderful Ole Ole Tapas Bar is also close by and has a couple of pet-friendly tables inside the restaurant as well as a lovely outdoor area. Fans of craft beer should also make time to visit The Strugglers Inn, just metres from the hotel. Be aware that the pub doesn’t serve food though.
Are there resident dogs at The Tower Hotel?
No, but you’re sure to meet plenty of pooches when out and about. There’s a reason Lincoln has been named one of the UK’s most dog-friendly cities, after all!
Where are the best dog walks near The Tower Hotel?
The small but perfectly formed Wickham Gardens is just over the road from the hotel. The park wraps around the imposing 1911 water tower, which – as we learned from the information boards – still provides Lincoln with water today. From the hotel, it’s also easy to walk to the city’s main attractions, such as Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Castle and the Steep Hill shopping street. Dogs are welcome inside the cathedral, and the castle hosts regular dog-friendly days.
Lincoln also has some great open spaces where pets can let off some steam. There are three commons in the city and West Common, approximately a 10-minute walk from the hotel, is the best. This enormous green space covers more than 100 hectares and was once home to Lincoln Racecourse. Be aware that horses still graze on the land though, so be sure to keep your dog under control. For more fantastic walk suggestions, click here.
What Ernie and Stan loved about The Tower Hotel
Being opposite a park, the sausage for breakfast, the city walks
What I loved about The Tower Hotel
The great location, the lovely food, the good night’s sleep
How to book The Tower Hotel
Rooms start from £100, including breakfast. For more information or to book, call 01522 529999 or visit The Tower Hotel website.