Dog Friendly
"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." — Roger Caras
At Hop Pickers Rural Retreats, we understand that your canine companions are cherished members of your family, and they deserve a delightful holiday experience just as much as you do. To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay for both you and your dogs, we offer the following amenities:
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Enclosed Gardens: Each of our properties features a secure, enclosed garden, providing a safe space for your dog to explore and play freely.
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Dog Welcome Pack: Upon arrival, you'll find a thoughtfully prepared welcome pack for your dog, including essentials such as a comfortable dog bed, food and water bowls, a towel for drying off after adventures, and some tasty treats to make them feel right at home.
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Local Dog-Friendly Information: We provide comprehensive guides and recommendations on local dog-friendly walks, parks, pubs, and attractions, ensuring you have all the information needed for a memorable outing with your furry friend.
To help you plan exciting days out with your dog, here are some of our top recommendations
1. Eastnor Castle
A magnificent historic estate nestled in the Malvern Hills, Eastnor Castle welcomes dogs on leads throughout its expansive grounds. Proud to be a Dogs Welcome attraction, one of the few historic houses where dogs are welcome in the grounds and house. There is also a dedicated 'Dogs off lead area'
Dog facitities: Dog refreshment stops, waste bins, off lead area, dog wash and waggy doggy icecream.
Plan your day trip and find out more at eastnorcastle.com
2. Walking the Malverns
The Malvern Hills offer a range of scenic walking routes suitable for all abilities. With breathtaking views and diverse landscapes, it's a paradise for nature lovers and their dogs. Many trails are dog-friendly, providing ample opportunities for on and off-lead exploration, but please keep them under close control near livestock and follow the Trust’s dog-walking code of conduct - bag waste and stick to established paths to protect wildlife and grazing animals.
There are options for:
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Gentle strolls on Easier Access paths
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Summit walks, like Worcestershire Beacon or British Camp loops
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Ridge walks for more ambitious outings
There is a handy route finder on Visit The Malverns or for those more experienced walkers you can walk to the hills from Hop Pickers and only cross 1 main road - laminated A5 map and directions in welcome book.
3. Walks from our doorstep
Hop Pickers is tucked away at the end of a quiet no-through road, with the added bonus of a public footpath running directly through the farm. This means you can step straight out of your door and into the countryside, without needing to drive anywhere.
We provide a selection of local walking routes in the welcome book, all clearly marked on handy laminated maps. Choose from gentle woodland strolls to longer, more adventurous walks leading towards the hills. These include our family favourite, Hayley Dingle, as well as routes that take in dog-friendly, walkable pubs along the way.
For those who like to explore independently, Ordnance Survey maps are also available, making it easy to plan your own countryside ramble at your own pace. If you have the OS app we have walks saved at our location too!
4. Local National Trust Properties
You are spoilt for choice with lots of National Trust properties for you to explore. Here are some favourite ones to take the dog and explore the parkland.
Brockhampton Estate (approx 20min drive)
Croome Court (approx 30min drive)
Croft Castle and Parkland (approx 50min drive)
Hanbury Hall (approx 40min drive)
5. Dog Friendly Places to Eat
Both Worcester and Malvern are very dog friendly with most shops and cafes in town allowing dogs.
- Paw & Co Dog Cafe and Shop, Worcester - find special treats just for dogs
- Waylands Yard, Worcester - great breakfast and dogs will be welcomed
- The Nags Head, Malvern - Great pub after a walk, dog friendly bar and restaurant
- Plough and Harrow, Malvern - Monthly pub walks and treats and blankets available
Meet the Animals at Hop Pickers
Life here is shaped by the animals that share the land, ponds and paddocks. For many of our guests, meeting them becomes a memorable part of their stay. Each has their own personality and background, here is an introduction to the animals you may see during your visit.