Recognised globally for its thriving economy, vibrant culture, and historical charm, the city of London has also made a name for itself as the most pet-friendly city in the world. In a recent 2022 study, dog-friendly London outranked 84 major cities across the globe to be named the most pet-friendly city in the world.
Given London’s abundance of pet-friendly public transport, restaurants, apartments and more, it’s easy to see how London earnt the title. Keep reading to discover 8 reasons why London is the most pet-friendly city in the world, as well as insight from one of our London property partners.
Pet-friendly Transport
Travelling in London with pets has never been easier; owners can now take their pampered pooches on all public transport free of charge. This includes travel on trains, buses, trams, the tube, and most cabs.
Just keep in mind that dogs must be kept on a lead or in a carrier whilst using public transport, and it’s also important to remember that trains have a two dogs per passenger rule (over two dogs will incur a charge). If you plan to use a taxi service during your stay in pet-friendly London, it’s best to double check that they can accommodate pets as you book.
Number of Parks
With over 43% of Londoners living in apartments, many owners rely on public parks for their pets to stretch their legs in. There are a total of 164 dog-friendly London parks to make the most of during your stay. In fact, the popular Royal Parks are also dog-friendly and definitely worth a visit during your next trip.
Of course, pet-friendly London also has a number of enclosed dog parks located across the city for pets that have a tendency to explore. Check out The Londog for a map of enclosed dog parks in the city, as well as individual area guides for dog owners staying in north, east, west, south, and central London.
Dog-friendly Restaurants and Bars
Looking for cafés, restaurants or bars which are pet friendly? London has you covered.
Cafés such as Love My Human Townhouse serve pupcakes and, as well as heartier, healthier meals for your pooch.
Dog-friendly London restaurants can be found throughout the city, too; M Victoria Street hosts a dog-friendly brunch every Saturday, and serves 3 mouth-watering courses for both owners and their pups.
Fancy a night out in London but don’t want to leave your pup behind? The Smith and Whistle in Mayfair is renowned for its dog-friendly cocktails – such as the poochie colada, hound’s hops, or bubbly bow wow – formulated by its in-house mixologist team and a dedicated canine nutritionist.
Dog-friendly Experiences
Seeing the sights is a must when visiting the city and staying in London with pets shouldn’t stop you. An iconic landmark in London’s landscape, the Tower Bridge Exhibition, is open to dogs of all sizes.
For a more relaxed day out, London is home to dog-friendly wine tasting, bingo, and boat rides. You could even share some popcorn with your pup at one of London’s many dog-friendly cinema screenings; Picturehouse Cinemas regularly holds dog-friendly screenings and Rooftop Film Club hosts its own ‘Wooftop’ events.
Quality of Care
Yet another reason the city ranked as the most pet friendly, London has over 229 veterinary practices. No matter where you’re staying in London with pets, you will always be able to find a quality clinic if need be.
London is also home to 240 pet shops that are easily accessible no matter where your London serviced apartment is located.
Meet Like-Minded People
Moving to London with pets also offers more opportunities to socialise and meet new people. There are many dog-friendly London meetups held regularly throughout the year, such as Explore by Paw or breed-specific groups, which are a great opportunity to meet like-minded people during your stay in the city.
Pet Day Cares and Boutiques
Busy professionals needn’t worry about leaving their pets home alone whilst they work, as the city has many options to keep pets occupied during the day. In fact, there are 172 options for pet day care in the city. These day cares can be found throughout London, such as City Paws Club, Buddies Doggy Daycare, and Man’s Best Friend Kensington and Chelsea.
Alternatively, owners can book their pampered pooches into one of London’s pet spas (where they can experience enough relaxation for the both of you!). There are a number of dedicated spas in London, with pets allowed to sit back and relax. The Elmtree Luxury Pet Hotel has its very own grooming parlour and space; with services such as a luxury grooming experience, ‘pawdicures’, and massages on offer, your pampered pooch will be truly spoiled.
Pet-friendly Serviced Apartments
As professionals increasingly request to stay in London with pets, SilverDoor’s portfolio has expanded to include more pet-friendly serviced accommodation in London than ever.
We’ve recently had discussions with one of our property partners, Axiom Hospitality, on the uptick of these requests and the reason behind their Pet Friendly Policy. Elaine Fernandes, Cluster Business Development Manager at Axiom Hospitality, shared her thoughts with us on this topic:
“The pandemic reiterated the importance of being around those closest to us, and naturally, this includes pets. We’ve seen an increase in travellers including loved ones in their business travel plans and, consequently, the demand for pet-friendly accommodation has risen. This is particularly important to lone travellers. It provides that essential source of companionship during their stay with us, but also takes the worry of finding someone to take care of their pets while they might be away for a significant amount of time.”
SilverDoor currently has over 4,000 pet-friendly serviced apartments located throughout the city, including Axiom Hospitality’s Residence Inn by Marriott London Kensington, Residence Inn by Marriott London Bridge, and Residence Inn by Marriott London Tower Bridge properties.
Fancy bringing a companion for your next business trip? Read this blog to discover the best pet-friendly apartments London has to offer. Browse our portfolio of pet-friendly serviced apartments in London and contact us today to make an enquiry.
