Golden Retriever Cafe at Down Hall Essex
Golden Retriever Cafe at Down Hall Essex
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Golden Retriever Cafe™ returns to Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate
POP+BARK’s famous Golden Retriever Cafe is back at Down Hall - and this year, it’s bigger, longer and cuter than ever!
We’re taking over The Garden’s of the estate for a full Golden celebration. More space to run. More time to relax. More room for all those joyful and hilarious Golden moments we all love.
If you’ve been before, expect everything you adored and more. If it’s your first time, prepare for all the waggy tails and happy vibes. Just imagine the happiest garden party you’ve ever stepped into.
🎟️ We always recommend booking early to avoid any disappointment, so book now!
The biggest gathering of Golden Retrievers
Make this Bank Holiday your best yet.
You can look forward to a gorgeous, happiness-filled day where waggy tails stretch as far as you can see and happy chaos fills the air.
With more off-lead space than ever for Golden Retrievers to meet and play, this is pure joy for the dogs and a guaranteed feel-good day out for the humans.
You can look forward to...
✨ The prettiest outdoor Golden Retriever Cafe at the stunning Down Hall Hotel and Spa deep in the Essex countryside
✨ A bigger off-lead area in The Garden’s of the hotel so your Golden Retriever will have more space than ever!
✨ Lots of fun for the dogs including toys to tear into, balls to chase, bubbles to pop and a giant ballpit to dive into.
✨ Our famous Pupuccino Bars, serving delicious pup cups piled high with their favourite toppings, plus some delicious extras
✨ Complimentary photography by Hannah Drimer is included in your ticket price so expect a beautiful photo available to download after the event.
✨ Some lovely small businesses will also be joining us - including Arf & Win with Golden Retriever-specific homewares, Bruno's Bows handmade accessories and Embark with a wide selection of natural dog food and toys.
✨ Brucie's Bakes will be serving up freshly basked biscuits and treats with a mobile Doggy Bakery - your dog will love them!
✨ Plus, Year's dog food will be offering tasters of their gourmet fresh dog food and sharing their expertise on doggy nutrition.
✨ Doggy illustrator and painter Jaime Breward will be back this year, and this time, offering bespoke illustrations of your dog on site!
✨ Brand new children's corner with giant Jenga, space hoppers, games and activity sheets for kids to dip into and enjoy.
✨ Humans can enjoy some great food options from Down Hall, drinks from the Horsebox Bar and frozen treats from the ice cream cart.
✨ Not a Golden Retriever owner, but just a little bit in love with dogs? Come and join the fun as dog lovers are always welcome
✨ Free on-site parking for all guests, in a new convenient parking area so you can simply arrive, park up and head straight into the fun.
Down Hall Hotel and Spa
Down Hall is nestled in the Essex countryside. A beautiful country manor, it is the perfect backdrop to our event.
With pristine lawns, a lovely outdoor terrace and 110 acres of gardens and woodland trails, there's lots to explore.
You’re welcome to arrive early or stay on after your session ends to enjoy a dog walk.
Why not make it extra fabulous and make it a super-special doggy weekend...
Elevate your trip, and book a discounted dog-friendly stay and enjoy all Down Hall has to offer.
Delicious food and drinks
The chefs at Down Hall will be on hand to provide our human guests with some truly delicious food options.
Stop by one of their street food-style huts and enjoy everything from stone-baked pizzas to burgers and more.
Cocktails, wine and beer will be available from their cute horsebox bar
Bigger off-lead play area
The off-lead area is on the move. Returning guests will be delighted to see an even bigger play zone now located on The Garden’s of Down Hall.
With even more dog toys to tear into, bubbles to pop and a bigger ball pit to jump into, it will be heaven for any ball-obsessed Retriever!
Pupuccino bar
Every Golden Retriever loves a Pup Cup and we’ve got the creamiest, most delicious offering.
Visit the now-famous Pupuccino Bar and choose from fresh toppings including sweet berries and bananas to chicken and cheese.
Doggy Bakery & Butchery
We’ll also be joined by Brucie’s Bakes and Rafa’s Raw for even more treats.
Think doggy bakery meets doggy butchery where sweet and savoury picks are all on offer!
Down Hall will also be offering their brand new Dog Menu including Wooferoni sausages and Roast Dinner dog bowls.
So whatever your dog loves, there will be something perfect for them.
Curated shopping selection
Browse a great selection of small businesses.
You can explore the stalls of Arf & Win, Years dog food, Embark, Bruno’s Bows and more.
Plus, enjoy getting a bespoke illustration of your dog by artist Jamie Breward.
Family-friendly fun
Kids can enjoy a dedicated children's corner where they'll find giant Jenga, space hoppers, garden games and activity sheets.
The grounds also feature an impressive enclosed kids play area for little ones, giant chess board and woodland trail to explore.
Big and little kids will leave raving about their Best. Day. Ever!
Make new friends
This is the loveliest Spring soiree and the most welcoming event.
Whether you're a seasoned Retriever owner or a new dog parent, you'll feel right at home with fellow guests who share a love for this wonderful breed.
Bring some friends along or the entire family and make it a day to remember!
Dog lovers welcome
Golden Retrievers are the most beautiful dogs, inside and out. Friendly, loyal and playful, they are pure sunshine for the soul.
Whether you’re considering getting one of your own or simply want to spend time with these special dogs, join us for a truly fun afternoon.
You’ll meet so many Goldens and, with so many lovely owners on hand, you’ll be able to learn more about this wonderful breed.
Professional photos
With lots of sweet photo opportunities dotted around the stunning location, you’ll have photos to treasure forever.
All professional images will be available to download after the event and are included in your ticket price.
Hannah Drimer, a published photographer, will be there to capture those special moments.
The best day ever
So grab your lead, your friends and your family and join us on Bank Holiday Monday 4th May.
Book your tickets now and start looking forward to the most joyful day of the year!
Doggy Do's and Dont's
We want to ensure a safe and happy environment so please read carefully.
- Do bring friendly, well socialised & vaccinated dogs to this event
- Do feel free to let your dog off lead in the designated off lead areas but they remain your responsibility at all times
- Do bring only Golden Retrievers and Golden Retriever crosses to this event
- Don’t leave any dog mess behind – bag and bin it immediately
- Don’t bring aggressive dogs to the event please - you will be asked to leave
- Don't bring pregnant dogs or those in season for the safety & wellbeing of all guests
- Don't bring dogs of other breeds, please look out for other events that can cater for them
Just a heads up from the team — this event is organised slightly differently from our usual indoor gatherings. There will be a designated off-lead play zone within the event area, mostly enclosed by hedges but with gaps barrier-ed off so dogs can enjoy being off lead safely. Your dog remains your responsibility at all times, however. While we will do our very best to create a secure and enclosed space, more inquisitive or determined dogs may be able to find their way out.
Safety
POP+BARK have 6 years experience in hosting safe events and:
- Make each venue as safe as possible for dogs to attend
- Carry out a Risk Assessment prior to every event
- Safety check, sanitise and clean all the event props
- Ensure all staff are fully-trained and adept dog handlers
- Have one dog first-aid team member on site
Accessibility
Down Hall’s natural setting includes gravel, cobblestones, and grass, which may require some extra navigation for wheelchair users.
We would love to have you join us. Please let our team know ahead of time how we can best support your arrival and movement around the grounds.
Terms & Conditions
- All dogs attending the event must be friendly, well-socialised, and up to date with their vaccinations (although this will not be checked). Any dogs exhibiting aggression towards other dogs or humans will be requested to leave.
- The event is organised by POP+BARK, held at Down Hall, and is called Golden Retriever Cafe. All parties assume no responsibility for the actions of your dog, and you must ensure their safety. If your dog harms another dog or person, it will be your sole liability.
- Please verify that your pet insurance covers public liability if your dog causes harm to another dog or person. If you bring more than one dog, please ensure that you have enough individuals to care for them responsibly, with a suggested dog-to-human ratio of 2:1.
- If you or your dog are harmed by another dog at the event, you must resolve the matter with the owner of the offending dog. POP+BARK and Down Hall disclaim any responsibility for the actions of the dogs attending the event. If a fellow guest harms your dog, they will be held personally accountable, and all disputes must be resolved as if in a public space. The POP+BARK team cannot mediate.
- This outdoor event is structured differently from our standard indoor, off-lead events. The grounds are partially enclosed/sectioned by hedges and the various sections of the outdoor area and lawns, and the car park is situated at a distance. While you are permitted to release your pets from their lead, it is your sole discretion to do so.
- We would like to remind all attendees that the event space is a private area and should be treated with the utmost respect. Please prioritise cleaning up after your dogs and disposing of any waste properly in bins provided onsite.
- You must purchase tickets for all members of your party.
- All children must be accounted for, and children aged 16 or under are charged a reduced rate, while children aged 6 or under are free. However, you must still order a ticket for them.
- All dogs must be accounted for, and you must order a ticket for your dog (they are free). Please do not attend without a ticket for your dog.
- Due to the nature of the event, there is a no-refund policy in place, and you must ensure that you are available to attend before purchasing tickets. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your ticket to a friend or family member. All requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and are at the discretion of the organisers.
- In the event of a cancellation, you will receive a refund for the ticket price, minus the booking fee paid to TicketTailor, or a voucher refund to attend another event. The booking fee is £1.00 per paid ticket, and there is no booking fee for free tickets (Golden Retriever tickets or Children aged 6 or under).
- Dogs receive a Pupuccino or a Pupcorn, but all other food and drinks for humans and dogs are payable.
- Please only bring Golden Retrievers and Golden Retrievers crosses that are at least 50% Golden Retriever. Unfortunately due to allocated numbers and the nature of this event, we cannot accommodate doggy siblings of other breeds.
- POP+BARK may record the event, and the footage may be used for various purposes, including but not limited to, website and event promotion, social media content, advertisements, and press materials. If you wish to request the removal of your image, please email help@popandbark.com. However, please note that we may be unable to remove footage once it has been published or entered the public domain.
- We hereby reserve the right to alter, postpone, or terminate the event without prior notice, and we endeavour to provide guests with sufficient notification in the event of any adjustments.
- In the event of severe weather conditions that we deem may jeopardise the safety of attendees, we will endeavour to reschedule the event. Otherwise, this outdoor occasion will take place come rain or shine, and any ticket purchases are at the buyer's risk. Please note that in the event of inclement weather, refunds will not be issued
- POP+BARK trades under Pop+Bark Ltd Company number: 12424448 VAT number: 422583701
Location
Down Hall, CM22 7AS