I have mentioned before (in May 2017) my disappointment & annoyance at the 'dog-friendly cafe' on the National Trust's Lanhydrock Estate in Cornwall, when I found that if you have a dog, you can't enter the cafe; you can only eat at the outside tables on the verandah. But if you aren't allowed inside, how do you buy food or drink?
Then recently I visited The Lost Gardens of Heligan, where dogs are welcome. I made my way to the outside tables of the Tearoom - and once again found that I couldn't take my dog inside to get lunch or a drink.
Tying him up or even leaving him with someone willing to look after him would have resulted in blind panic from my little rescue dog who has Separation Anxiety - and frantic yapping and howling once I was out of sight.
Heligan is not a National Trust property, so I have now written to both places and asked if there are any solutions to this problem, pointing out that the UK has thousands of people who live alone with a dog as a companion. Their strict rules prevent us from enjoying their wonderful estates and gardens.
Incidentally, I also used the lovely little National Trust cafe above Bedruthan Steps, where I was welcomed in to buy my breakfast bacon roll and pot of tea, then after walking the coastal path, returned and enjoyed a Cornish Cream Tea with my little dog alongside, both at the counter and at the tables, inside or out.
If only we could be sure of a welcome in all similar properties.
They obviously havent thought it through properly. What a shame.
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to see their response!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Mary; I hope it might bring a change in policy.
DeleteFingers crossed that a change in policy will be forthcoming.
ReplyDeleteSeems odd that they haven't figured out this glitch! I hope your communication to them results in a solution.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel as I've come across this problem more than once - and even in so-called 'dog friendly' places, assuming that someone's dog would be fine tied to a railing while the owner went to order some food and drink, who wants to eat outside when the weather is cold, wet or windy?
ReplyDeleteI've been an NT member for several years and love visiting their properties when I can but often find their policies on dogs in their gardens are very off-putting. And it's not just dogs who come in for this 'discrimination' either. I have friends who would love to visit a little coastal village in North Wales owned by the NT but there is no vehicle access for the public and the only way to get there is by either a mile walk along the beach or the same distance along a rough path through a golf course - there's actually a sign on the gate to the golf course saying 'Strictly no public vehicle access so please don't ask'! One of my friends is registered disabled and can't walk too far so because of this they can never get to see this beautiful little village - and the stupid thing is, if they could get there they would probably spend a fair amount of money on food and drinks at the pub there!
I'm sure that would leave a lot of people disappointed, Eunice; we're not all young and active.
DeleteHow ridiculous - I do hope that the powers that be can sort it out.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a dog and have (most likely) given up on the idea of getting one when I retire shortly BUT here in France it seems to me that they routinely allow well behaved dogs into restaurants. I was shocked when I first realized this many years ago but a well behaved dog sitting under the table shouldn't bother anyone should it. Good luck. Anna
ReplyDeleteAnd that is exactly what my dog would do - sit quietly at my feet. Many a time I have got up to leave and people have remarked that they didn't realise a dog was there. He's far better behaved than many children I've seen in restaurants.
DeleteWe have a Bichon Frise and live in Cornwall. Recently our vets - 'Monument Vets', Redruth - put a list on their Facebook page of dog-friendly cafes in Cornwall. It would be worth you looking up this list.
ReplyDelete(Our Archie suffers from separation anxiety too.)
Kay
Oh dear, I don't think that list is available any longer, but it prompted me to look online for dog-friendly places in Hayle, where I shall be spending a week later this year.
DeleteSeparation Anxiety is a tough illness to cope with, isn't it, particularly when there's just one human with the dog! Does your dog panic when left in home and in the car, even for a short time? I wish there was a cure.
The bloomin' irritating thing is that legally it is OK for dogs to be in restaurants, cafe's, etc. Where they are NOT allowed is places were food is prepared - but that is clearly the kitchen, not the public seating areas. However, far too many business owners don't bother with facts and just put a blanket ban on our four-legged companions. Yet they still allow screaming out of control kids . . .
ReplyDeleteLike you, very irritated with places that insist my dog and I sit outside in the cold, and as I have an elderly rescue who doesn't want me out of her sight then going inside to place an order is stressful for both of us.
I have an easy solution to the problem, don't spend any money in these places AND write them a snot-o-gram once home explaining (a) how much revenue they just lost and (b) the fact they are discriminatory against single travellers is going on social media (c) what the law really is.
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ReplyDeleteThe third place you describe that welcomed you and your dog sounds delightful. I too wonder about our local coffee shops where dogs are welcome on the patio but they don't let you bring your dog in to order food and coffee. I haven't dared to leave my dog on the patio while ordering so don't bring him.
ReplyDeleteLeaving my small dog out of my sight is not an option for me with his Separation Anxiety (a real problem, not just being a fussy owner), also because there's every chance he might be stolen (Pedigree Bichon Frise).
DeleteI've still had no satisfactory response to my communications with either National Trust or Lost Gardens of Heligan.
A little story. Remember a few years ago, Katy Cropper won the sheepdog trials, One Man and His Dog. She was invited to the Women of the Year Luncheon at the Savoy hotel, as was I. She came with her dog and they said she couldn't bring it inside. She replied, if the dog doesn't come in then I don't go in. After discussion it was decided that the dog would be allowed to accompany her. That beautiful dog lay down by her feet and didn't move a muscle. It was lovely to see.
ReplyDeleteDogs should never be left tied up anywhere, they are getting stolen all the time.
A great example - and good for Katy on her stand against an unfair rule. My dog has accompanied me on many visits to pubs, hotels and cafes and behaved impeccably every time, lying quietly at my feet while I was eating my meal and chatting to my friends.
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