Shopping in London

Fritz and I had a day out in Belgravia/Knightsbridge.  

We started at Mungo & Maud,  one of our favourite pet shops.  Then we walked to Sloan Square and up Sloan Street. Everywhere was dog-friendly - Christian Louboutin, Smythson, Mont Blanc, Moncler, Louis Vuitton and Missoni.  At Smythson they even told me to let him off the leash and let him run around the shop.  I kept him on-leash at Louboutin, though, since he loves to eat shoes.

And then we went to Harrods, which I certainly recommend for pet-lovers.  Harrods Pet Kingdom sells animals so for health reasons you must bring proof of vaccinations/a pet passport with you. Dogs are not allowed into the rest of the store so if you report to Door 3, the security guard will ring up to the Pet Kingdom who will send someone down to escort you.  They have a great selection of animal toys, treats and accessories - and even a pet bakery!  And Fritz made friends with the helpful staff as you can see below.

And if you want to shop in the rest of Harrods?  Leave your dog at the dog spa!  They offer everything from grooming to massages. There is also a daycare service where you can leave your dog whilst you wander around (booking recommended).

London 2012

On the way to London in July, we had a cab driver who asked what Fritz's olympic sport was.  

Brussels - July/August - 2012

Fritz and I were back in Brussels in July/August.  Whenever I have been to Brussels in the past it has been cold and raining.  This time we were treated to perfect weather.  We checked out Parc du Cinquantenaire, which is dog friendly as the sign at the entrance makes clear.

Although the sign implies a leash law, we saw plenty of dogs off-leash so I suspect this is loosely enforced, as in much of Stockholm.

I've blogged about this before, but we always stay at the Sofitel Europa on Place Jourdan.  They are very dog friendly - Fritz was provided his own bowel and bed.  Also, they are convieniently located near Parc du Cinquantenaire and Parc Leopold.

On the Tube

Yes, you can take dogs on the London Underground

We love Lincoln's Inn Fields

I've written about this before -  we love Lincoln's Inn Fields in central London.  There is a great doggie social scene - a group of dog owners who meet every day (and are also welcoming to new visitors).

We met up with some of them this afternoon. And they were a wealth of information.  Apparently the Cafe Nero chain of coffee shops is relatively dog-friendly. Cooper's restaurant, just opposite the park, also welcomes dogs, as do a number of pubs on Wellington St in nearby Covent Garden.

This was good news after a very disappointing morning.  We unsuccessfully tried to go into a new Viennese restaurant  - I tried to make that case that if we were actually in Vienna we could go in, plus with a name like Fritz he should be most at home in an Austrian-themed place.  But I got the "we can't because of 'health & safety'"  This is the typical response I have got from a lot of restaurants.  But when I talked to a woman at Cooper's she said that the only regulations are against dogs being in the kitchen and that it's really up to the restaurant owner's discretion.

More London - June 2012

The dog-friendly Primrose Bakery folks have a shop now in Covent Garden

http://www.primrosebakery.org.uk/

And a friendly sign in the window

London - May and June 2012

London is a park paradise.  In central London there the Royal Parks (Green, St James and Hyde), small parks and countless squares.  To the north you find Hampstead Health and to the south Clapham, Wandsworth and Tooting Bec Commons. And many more greenspaces.

The massive downside of London is that restaurants do not allow dogs with few exceptions.  I have found these two websites particularly helpful with finding the exceptions.

http://www.londondogforum.co.uk/

http://www.doggiepubs.org.uk/index.php?15=on

Fritz and I ate at Andrew Edmunds with two of my friends.  They thought it was a bit overpriced and variable, but I thought it was a cosy and good place.  The menu is typical of British-French fusion and the wine list was extensive. You have to ring ahead to book, especially if you have a dog – there is a special book (by the window) where they put you. 

There are alternatives to restaurants, of course!  I have never had trouble walking into a café with Fritz and ordering food and a coffee to take away (to a park).  Pubs are also a good choice and quintessentially English (even if you don’t drink).  Pubs by parks are especially nice. Notes also let me bring him in.  Fritz and I took a nice walk along  South Bank, down to Gabriel’s Wharf.  There are tonnes of outdoor food options.

The Angel & Crown on St Martin’s Lane off of Trafalgar Square is also a good choice.  Generally, central London pubs are a bit grim, but this one has a nice atmosphere with a fantastic location.  They also serve Otter Ale, which comes from the West Country.  That in itself is a reason to go there.