The dog owner’s guide to Kingston & Surbiton
There’s a difference between a pub that technically allows dogs and a pub that actually welcomes them. One has a laminated sign and a nervous glance from the bar staff. The other has water bowls by the door and a resident Great Dane who’ll come and introduce himself.
Kingston and Surbiton have enough of the second kind to keep you and the dog busy for a while. Riverside terraces for post-walk pints, big beer gardens where nobody minds a muddy spaniel, and at least one cafe where the dog will eat better than you do. Here’s where to go.
Quick picks: find your spot
The best dog friendly spots
Hart’s Boatyard
Best for: Post-walk pints by the Thames, riverside terrace, sunset drinks
Hart’s Boatyard sits right on the Thames in Surbiton — a big, comfortable pub with a waterside terrace where sailing dinghies drift past and motor boats bob at the moorings. Dogs are welcome in the bar area, making it a natural endpoint after a walk along the river from Kingston or through Seething Wells.
The sweet spot is a weekday afternoon. Come after the walk, settle in the bar, and let lunch stretch. Cask ales include Fuller’s London Pride and St Austell Tribute. Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am. Service can be slow when it’s busy on hot weekends, so weekdays are genuinely the better experience — for you and the dog.
Portsmouth Road, Surbiton KT6 4ES · hartsboatyard.co.uk
Waggon and Horses
Best for: A quiet pint with the dog, no fuss, no pretence
The Waggon and Horses is the kind of pub that doesn’t need to try. No chalkboard menus announcing “craft this” and “artisan that” — just a proper boozer where the real ales are well-kept, the staff know the regulars by name, and nobody’s taking photos for Instagram. Dogs fit right into that energy.
The crowd skews slightly older, slightly more settled — people who’ve lived in Surbiton long enough to know which pubs are for showing off and which are for actually drinking. This is firmly the latter. On Surbiton Hill Road, a short walk from the station.
1 Surbiton Hill Road, Surbiton KT6 4TW
Megan’s at the Post Office
Best for: Dog-friendly brunch, groups, weekday mornings with the dog
Megan’s is the rare dog-friendly option that isn’t a pub. The former post office on Victoria Road is now a buzzy, plant-filled brunch spot serving Turkish-inflected Mediterranean food — and dogs are welcome inside.
The bottomless brunch is what Megan’s is famous for (weekends and bank holidays, £25 for 90 minutes of prosecco), but for dog owners the quieter weekday mornings are the sweet spot. Space for pushchairs means space for dogs, and the atmosphere is genuinely welcoming rather than merely tolerant. The eggs Benedict was voted one of London’s top ten by the Evening Standard.
38 Victoria Road, Surbiton KT6 4JL · megans.co.uk/surbiton
The Grove
Best for: Big beer garden, sunny afternoons, dog walkers
The Grove is Surbiton’s answer to “where shall we go when it’s sunny?” — and half the neighbourhood’s dog walkers have the same answer. The beer garden is genuinely massive, the kind that can absorb several birthday parties, after-work crowds, and a squadron of spaniels without anyone feeling cramped.
You come to The Grove for that sprawling outdoor space, strung with lights, dotted with wooden tables, and somehow always managing to catch the last rays of evening sun. The food is pub-proper — burgers, sharing boards, BBQ when the weather warrants it. Arrive earlier than you think on sunny weekends; the garden fills fast.
9 Grove Road, Surbiton KT6 4BX
The Spring Grove
Best for: Large garden, dogs welcome throughout, hidden-gem location
You won’t stumble across The Spring Grove — and that’s entirely the point. Bloomfield Road is a quiet residential street off the Kingston–Surbiton border: no passing trade, no sign on a main road. Walk past the houses, start to doubt yourself, and then find a proper pub with one of the best gardens in the area waiting at the end of the street.
Dogs are welcome throughout — not just the bar, throughout. The garden is large with a covered decked area, so a bit of drizzle doesn’t send everyone inside. A Young’s pub since 1896, with open fires in winter and a seasonally changing British menu. The Sunday roast is the anchor of the weekly menu. Family-friendly until 9pm, dog-friendly all day. Wednesday quiz at 7:30pm if you want a reason to become a regular.
13 Bloomfield Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2SF · thespringgrove.co.uk
The Elm Tree
Best for: Resident dogs, big-dog tolerance, sports and live music
The Elm Tree doesn’t just allow dogs — it employs them. The pub’s own Great Dane and British Bulldog are part of the furniture, which tells you everything about the attitude toward four-legged visitors. If your dog is on the larger side and you’ve ever had That Look from a publican, this is your place.
Reopened in March 2025 under new independent ownership, the Elm Tree is big enough to absorb a crowd without feeling rammed. Five screens for sports, Thursday jam nights from 8:15pm, and a Sunday quiz at 5:30pm. The weekday Work & Play deal (£15 for sandwich, WiFi, unlimited tea/coffee, and a pint to finish) makes it a genuine option for remote workers who don’t want to leave the dog at home. Three minutes from Surbiton station on Victoria Road.
64 Victoria Road, Surbiton KT6 4NQ · elmtreesurbiton.co.uk
Tips for dog owners
A few things worth knowing before you head out.
- Ask first — Even at dog-friendly pubs, check where dogs are welcome. Some allow dogs in the bar but not the restaurant area.
- Peak times — Weekend lunchtimes get busy. A calmer dog will cope fine, but if yours is reactive, try weekday afternoons.
- Water — Most pubs will provide a bowl if you ask. Carry a portable one for the walk there.
- Garden etiquette — Keep your dog close in beer gardens. Not everyone at the next table wants a Labrador investigating their burger.
- Thames Path → Hart’s Boatyard — Walk the river from Kingston town centre toward Surbiton. Hart’s is right on the water at the end.
- Seething Wells → Hart’s Boatyard — The Seething Wells nature reserve walk ends near Hart’s. A solid dog walk with a pub reward.
- Canbury Gardens → The Spring Grove — Walk through Canbury Gardens and cut up to Bloomfield Road. About 20 minutes.
- Victoria Road circuit — The Elm Tree, Megan’s, and the Waggon and Horses are all within a few minutes’ walk of each other near Surbiton station.
More to Explore
Dog services directory
Beyond the pubs and walks, you need a vet, a groomer, a walker, and somewhere to buy food. Here’s the local directory, grouped by what you need.
Vets
- Goddard Veterinary Group (Kingston) — RCVS accredited group practice on London Road. Full range of services including dental care and microchipping. Open until 7pm weekdays.
- Kingston Vets (Kingston) — Long-established independent practice near Canbury Gardens. Consultations, vaccinations, and minor procedures.
- New Malden Vets (New Malden) — Comprehensive practice on Burlington Road with split waiting areas for cats and dogs.
- Vet4Life (Surbiton) — Independent practice on Claremont Road with preventative care plans and parking. Open until 7pm weekdays.
- Voo Vets (Surbiton) — Full veterinary hospital on Langley Avenue with on-site lab, imaging, surgery, and emergency capability. Open until 8pm weekdays, weekends including Sundays.
Emergency vets
- Stone Lion Veterinary Hospital (Wimbledon Village) — The nearest 24-hour emergency vet to Kingston, Surbiton, and New Malden. Approximately 20 minutes by car. Full critical care facility.
- Vets Now Staines (Staines) — Out-of-hours emergency service, approximately 25 minutes from Kingston. Evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.
Groomers
- Casper Dog Grooming (Surbiton) — Boutique studio known for patient handling, particularly with anxious dogs.
- Doggy Styling (Surbiton) — Cage-free grooming salon on Brighton Road using organic and natural products.
- Wags In Style (Kingston) — Crufts-qualified groomer offering breed-specific styling and hand stripping.
Trainers
- Bark Busters (Kingston) — In-home behaviour-focused training. Specialises in barking, aggression, and separation anxiety.
- Bracken Dog Training (Surbiton) — Puppy and adult classes with positive reinforcement and small class sizes.
- Surbiton Dog Training Club (Surbiton) — Long-established community club offering puppy socialisation through to advanced obedience.
Dog walkers
- Dibley’s Dogs (Kingston & Surbiton) — Established dog walking service with a hybrid daycare option.
- Tails from the Woods (Kingston) — Premium outdoor-focused walks through woodland, riverside paths, and local parks.
- Mooches Pooches (Kingston & Surbiton) — Daily walks, puppy visits, and holiday pet sitting.
Pet shops
- Pets Corner (Kingston) — Premium pet shop chain with a focus on natural products and ethical sourcing.
- Woofs A Daisy (Kingston) — Independent shop specialising in natural and raw dog food, with local delivery and nutritional advice.
More to Explore
For more pub options beyond dog-friendly picks, our best pubs guide covers the full range across Kingston and Surbiton. Looking for a proper walk before the pub? The walks and nature guide has riverside routes, park circuits, and hidden paths — several end near the pubs listed above. And if you’re after a cafe that’s happy with dogs under the table, the remote work cafes guide flags which spots are genuinely relaxed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Spring Grove on Bloomfield Road is the standout — dogs are welcome throughout, and the large garden gives them room to settle. Hart's Boatyard on Portsmouth Road allows dogs in the bar area. Most Kingston pubs are at least tolerant, but these two actively welcome dogs.
Megan's at the Post Office on Victoria Road is dog friendly and serves excellent brunch. For pubs, The Elm Tree on Victoria Road has its own resident Great Dane and British Bulldog, making it one of the most genuinely dog-welcoming spots in the area.
The Grove on Grove Road has one of the biggest beer gardens in Surbiton and is popular with dog walkers. The Spring Grove in Kingston has a large garden with a covered decked area. Both are good options for sunny afternoons with a dog.
The Elm Tree in Surbiton is the best bet for large dogs — the pub's own Great Dane is part of the furniture, so big dogs are very much welcome. The Spring Grove's spacious garden also works well for larger breeds.
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About this guide
This guide is part of Kingston Compass, covering Kingston, Surbiton and New Malden. We focus on practical local recommendations and regularly checked information. All venues are researched and verified by our local team.
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