Bury St Edmunds Bids to Reclaim UK’s Most Dog Friendly Town Title

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Bury St Edmunds is hoping to reclaim the title of the UK’s Most Dog Friendly Town after being named the winner in 2024 and runner-up in last year’s DogFriendly Awards.

The winner of the Most Dog Friendly Town/City category is decided by public vote and voting closes on October 11.

With its wide range of dog-friendly shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants, accommodation and attractions, Bury St Edmunds has established itself as a destination where visitors don't have to leave their four-legged family members at home.

The town’s dedicated Dog Friendly Bury St Edmunds scheme makes it easy for visitors and residents to identify businesses where dogs are welcome. Around 140 businesses have signed up to the scheme, displaying the distinctive blue paw print sticker and water bowl. Dog-friendly businesses in the town centre are also highlighted with a blue paw on the Our Bury St Edmunds BID town map.

The initiative is a partnership between Bury St Edmunds Town Council, Camp Tails Doggy Daycare, Our Bury St Edmunds BID and Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, and aims to make the town welcoming and accessible to dogs and their owners.

There are plenty of ways for four-legged visitors to explore the town, too. Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides offer a dedicated dog-friendly tour, taking visitors and their dogs around the historic town centre and Abbey area, while St Edmundsbury Cathedral continues its popular Dogs of the Cathedral calendar.

The DogFriendly Awards recognise dog-friendly places and pet businesses that go the extra mile for dogs and their owners, with winners chosen through public voting.

Bury St Edmunds has reached the final for three consecutive years, demonstrating the strength and continued support of its dog-friendly community. In 2025, the town finished as runner-up behind Cockermouth.

Jon Kay of Camp Tails Doggy Daycare, who helped establish the town’s dog-friendly initiative, said:

“Bury St Edmunds has an incredible community of businesses and organisations that genuinely go the extra mile to welcome dogs and their owners. From independent shops and cafés to accommodation, attractions and our historic sites, there are so many opportunities to enjoy the town together.

“We were incredibly proud to win the UK title in 2024 and to reach the final again last year. We’re asking everyone who loves our town and enjoys its dog-friendly welcome to take a few moments to vote and help us make another bid for the title.”