29/08/2026
🐾 What does “dog-friendly” actually mean at the Welsh Gatehouse? 🐾
Please let us know in the comments - what else you would like to have - and how this lands with you.
There has been quite a lot of debate recently about what dog-friendly really means, so we thought we’d spell out exactly what it means here at The Welsh Gatehouse.
We genuinely love having house-trained dogs to stay, and we want you and your dogs to be comfortable and relaxed during your holiday. So here’s the honest, practical version of our dog-friendly facilities and guidelines.
🐶 Up to three dogs are welcome. If you have more we are happy to discuss this. £30 for one dog, £50 for 2, £70 for 3.
We provide:
• Dog bowls
• Treats
• A ball
• Dog towels
• Pet tags saying “I’m on holiday at the Welsh Gatehouse”
• Food and water bowls
• Throws for the furniture
• A movable dog fence
🌿 A properly enclosed garden
The garden is large, with plenty of lawn, and is fully enclosed.
Most of the garden is surrounded by a wall of more than 2 metres high. The lowest points are approximately 1.37m (4'6").
There is a bench, a chimenea, and a BBQ for you. We have an outside tap, plus a small hose so you can wash muddy paws or dogs down when necessary. You can also lock the garden gate while you are using the garden, giving you complete privacy and helping to keep your dogs safely contained. We do ask that you unlock it again when your dogs are back inside.
🛋️Dogs are welcome throughout the Gatehouse
Dogs are allowed everywhere in the property.
There is one slightly unusual feature: a companionway ladder leading up to the bedroom. Dogs will find this difficult to negotiate, so you may need to carry your dog up to the sleeping area!
We provide a removable fence which you can use to prevent your dog coming downstairs when you're not expecting them to.
And yes, your dog can sleep on the bed.
🐾If you would like your dog to sleep in the bed, just let us know when you book. We use different bedding when dogs sleep under the covers. Don't worry, it's still good-quality cotton, just a different colour!
And if your dog sleeps on the sofa at home, we expect them to sleep on the sofa here too. We cover the sofa with throws so everyone is happy. We also cover the rugs, so your dog can roll around and make themselves at home without you having to worry.
🧹 The one thing we ask...
We ask you to clean up any fur, mud and dirt before you leave.
We provide a vacuum cleaner, dustpan and brush, and cleaning materials, so you have everything you need.
🚫 Dogs can't be left alone
We do ask that dogs are not left unattended in the Gatehouse unless you have brought a crate for them. Fortunately, Chepstow and the surrounding area is exceptionally dog-friendly, so this shouldn't normally be too difficult. We provide information about dog-friendly restaurants and cafés, and there are dog daycare facilities nearby.
There are also plenty of footpaths and lovely walks in the area, as well as a secure dog-walking field with a pond, if your dog needs somewhere to have a proper run.
🍺 And there's a dog-friendly pub just down the road
Our local pub, The Millers Arms, is about an 8-minute walk from the Gatehouse and welcomes dogs. They serve pub grub Wednesday to Sunday. If you're booking a table, just let them know you're bringing your dog.
🐾We take a £300 good housekeeping deposit, which is returned provided there is no damage to the property.
🏡 And finally... privacy
The Gatehouse is in a peaceful setting at one end of a garden, with our house - Courtyard House - at the other end. Just William and I live in Courtyard House, and we access it from the back of the house, so we are unlikely to see you. From the Welsh Gatehouse and the garden, you can see the front of Courtyard House. The people who may occasionally walk through the shared garden is our administration person, the cleaner and gardening team who usually come on Wednesdays. We don't have children or pets ourselves.
So while the Gatehouse is part of a small complex of 7 dwellings, all spread out, you can lock the garden gate and enjoy the garden in complete privacy with your dogs.
We hope that helps to explain what we mean when we say:
🐾 The Welsh Gatehouse is genuinely dog-friendly. 🐾
We don't just allow dogs. We try to make sure they are actually welcome. ❤️
