Southwell Retreat Glamping Pods

Southwell Retreat is a small set of glamping pods in quiet countryside just outside Southwell, and it is one of the better reviewed places to stay in this part of Nottinghamshire. For dog owners the picture is more specific than that general standing suggests, because the pet welcome comes with real conditions attached.

Dogs are limited to one small dog, and only in the two Deluxe Family Room pods, at a charge of ten pounds per dog per stay. That rules the site out for anyone with a large breed, a second dog, or a booking on any of the other pods, so it is worth confirming the pod type at the point of booking rather than on arrival.

What works well is the setting. The pods sit in tidy, well kept grounds with generous space between them, there is a fire pit, and Southwell is a comfortable walk away, which means a dog can be exercised without a drive. The pods themselves are consistently described as spotless, comfortable and thoughtfully equipped, with underfloor heating and a hot tub, and the site is quiet enough that dark skies and birdsong come up repeatedly in guest feedback.

The caveat dog owners raise is that the pods' outdoor areas are not fully enclosed. There is no gate, so a dog cannot simply be let out, and the open layout that makes the site feel spacious also means less privacy when you are sitting outside. Guests with dogs have rated the site a little below its general average for exactly these reasons, which is why it lands at 4.2 paws rather than higher.

Best suited to a couple or a small family with one small, lead-reliable dog booking a Deluxe Family Room pod, who want quiet countryside within walking distance of a town.