London & South East Bolney
The Hickstead Hotel
Independent pet-friendly review by Four Legged Guests · updated October 2026 · paw rating built from 11 verified guest reviews mentioning pets
Bring your dog if
- You're happy with a standard hotel-room stay where the property explicitly welcomes dogs
- You're basing yourself in Bolney / the London & South East and want a pet-friendly anchor for day trips
Worth knowing
- Pet fee and any size restrictions aren't published - confirm directly with the property before booking
- Shared corridors and common areas mean nervous or vocal dogs may find it harder to settle
How this review was built Evidence, sources, refresh cadence
- Evidence: 11 pet-mention guest reviews sourced from major booking platforms - guests who explicitly mentioned travelling with a dog. Each review is screened for pet-relevance, then judged for sentiment to compute the paw rating.
- Not a personal visit. We don't stay at every hotel we cover - we summarise patterns from real guest reviews, paraphrased and never quoted verbatim. Full standard on our editorial policy page.
- Wider context: The property has 1,753 guest reviews overall across booking platforms, averaging 7.8/10 - the paw rating reflects only the pet-mentioning subset.
- Last refreshed: October 2026. Policies and pricing drift; we re-check on a rolling basis. Confirm specifics with the property at the moment you book.
- How the paw rating works: Full detail on the methodology page, including the three verification gates and known limitations.
Pet policy at a glance
- A pet fee may apply - the property's booking listing flags an extra charge for pets. Contact the hotel for the current amount.
- Dogs are specifically listed as allowed (not all pet-friendly hotels include cats - check directly if travelling with a non-canine pet).
- On-site pet amenities: bowls, pet facilities and pet sitting services.
- Pets may not be left unattended
Pet-friendly summary
The Hickstead Hotel is a practical, genuinely welcoming stop for anyone travelling with a dog, especially if you are in the area for an event at the showground next door. Dogs are accepted for a small nightly charge, which guests put at around £10 per dog, and staff get a lot of credit for how they treat four-legged guests: dogs are greeted warmly at reception, and the hotel provides bowls and has a dog corner by the front desk. It earns a 4.0/5 paw rating from guests who stayed with their dogs.
Working-dog owners and repeat visitors say nothing is too much trouble, and the rooms are generally spacious enough for a dog bed and luggage. Note that pets may not be left alone in the room.
The location cuts both ways. It is very convenient for Hickstead and the A23, but the immediate surroundings are a road junction and a business park, and several guests mention traffic noise and a lack of pleasant walks right outside the hotel. Plan to drive to the South Downs or local countryside for a proper dog walk.
The most common complaints are about upkeep rather than the dog welcome. Guests mention overgrown and littered grounds, tired bathrooms, drains that gurgle, radiators that did not work, and thin walls between adjoining rooms. Breakfast reviews are mixed, with limited choice and items running out, and larger groups with a dog have found they could not push tables together in the restaurant.
For a one or two night stop with a dog near the showground, The Hickstead Hotel does the job well, with friendly staff and a fair dog charge. Just do not expect polish or a scenic walk from the door.
Highlights from pet-mentioning reviews
What reviewers travelling with dogs consistently noted about staying here.
- Warm welcome for dogs at reception
- Modest nightly charge per dog
- Handy for the Hickstead showground
- Few pleasant walks right outside
- Upkeep and maintenance need attention
About this hotel
The Hickstead Hotel is a three-star hotel just off the A23 near Bolney in Mid Sussex, close to the Hickstead showground. It offers spacious rooms, a restaurant and bar, and a large car park, and it is a convenient overnight stop for equestrian events and for trips towards Brighton and Gatwick.
Hotel facts
Photos
Location
Job s Ln, Bolney, RH17 5NZ