Somerton House Hotel Lockerbie: Reviews, Prices & Dog Policy

Somerton House Hotel in Lockerbie is a family-run coaching inn that combines a bar, restaurant, and dog-friendly accommodation along the M6/A74 corridor. Based on official listings, third-party reviews, and a published menu, this article reviews what guests actually find — from room ratings and dinner prices to the hotel’s policies on pets — so dog owners and weekend travellers can book with confidence.

Last checked: 2026-09-24

Somerton House Hotel reviews

Reviews for Somerton House Hotel vary by platform — partly because each site draws from a different pool of guests and partly because the hotel itself publishes promotional testimonials on its own website. Expedia and Hotels.com both report a 9.6/10 rating, describing the property as “exceptional.” KAYAK, which aggregates more than 1,100 reviews, reports an 8.6/10, while Momondo scores it 8.5/10 from 1,183 reviews. The variance is normal across aggregators, but the spread — from 9.6 down to 8.5 — suggests that while most guests are satisfied, the experience is not uniformly exceptional across every booking channel.

A recurring theme across KAYAK reviews is praise for the location, staff, cleanliness, beds, and food, alongside complaints about small rooms and cramped bathrooms. A hotel website testimonial states: “Great hotel that’s very dog friendly. Lovely comfortable rooms and really great, friendly staff. Highly recommended.” Another testimonial reads: “Food was excellent — from breakfast to sandwiches at lunchtime and superb evening meals all freshly made.” Both are promotional rather than independently sampled (Somerton House Hotel official site).

The hotel is described by Trivago as a “versatile retreat, ideal for couples, families, and business travellers.” That description aligns with its listed amenities: free parking, a bar, a children’s playground, a garden, a restaurant, and free Wi-Fi — all confirmed on Booking.com listing pages. The property sits near the M6/A74 corridor, about a 40-minute drive from some local attractions.

The bottom line: Somerton House Hotel earns strong marks across most platforms, but the mismatch between the near-perfect 9.6 and the still-strong 8.5 reveals that room size and bathroom space are potential pain points for some guests.

What are some good hotels in Lockerbie?

Somerton House Hotel is one of the better-rated options in Lockerbie, especially for travellers who want an on-site restaurant and bar. A TripAdvisor-style review notes: “Rooms clean and in good shape. Lounge and dining area very impressively decorated and panelled with some interesting history. Breakfast good.” For dog owners, the combination of free parking, a garden, and a pet-friendly policy makes it a convenient choice. Other hotels in the area serve different niches — those prioritising budget or chain consistency may want to cross-reference against the current Booking.com and TripAdvisor rankings for Lockerbie.

Somerton House Hotel Lockerbie menu

The hotel operates a restaurant and bar on site. A published menu PDF dated 2021 lists starters such as homemade soup of the day at £3.95 and vegetable and duck spring rolls at £6.95. Among the mains, chicken curry appears at £11.25, chicken stir-fry at £11.95, beef stroganoff at £17.95, sirloin steak at £19.95, and fillet steak at £23.95. The full document is available on the official website as “Menu.StarterMain2021.pdf” (Somerton House Hotel menu PDF).

Locally caught fish and game are highlighted on a specialist accommodation listing, suggesting that the kitchen sources regionally when possible. Expedia lists full breakfast at approximately £7.50 for adults and £5.00 for children, though this figure comes from a booking platform estimate rather than the hotel’s own published price list.

What this means for diners: The hotel clearly offers a full meal service with a varied menu, but the lack of a current official price list means budget-conscious travellers should call ahead or check the hotel’s social media for recent menu photos before arrival.

Are there any dog friendly restaurants in Lockerbie?

Whether Somerton House Hotel permits dogs in its restaurant and bar areas is not clearly stated on the official website. For dog owners who want to eat out in Lockerbie more broadly, local pubs and cafés with terrace or garden seating often welcome well-behaved dogs. The hotel’s own garden may also be an option for a drink or light meal with your dog, but this should be confirmed at the time of booking. The hotel’s pet policy — including dining areas — is best clarified by contacting the hotel directly.

Somerton House Hotel prices

Room prices at Somerton House Hotel are dynamic — they vary by date, room type, and booking platform. Momondo lists an indicative starting price of approximately £95 for a double room, while TripAdvisor shows a range of $147–$193 for a standard room (currency conversion fluctuates). KAYAK provides price snapshots but no fixed rate (Momondo; TripAdvisor). Because rates shift with demand, the best strategy is to compare prices across the hotel’s official site, Booking.com, Expedia, and Hotels.com.

A secondary booking listing notes that while pets are allowed without an extra charge, only specified room types may be pet-friendly (StayInUKHotels). This is a tier-3 source, so readers should treat it as indicative rather than definitive.

The trade-off: The “dogs stay free” claim on Expedia and Hotels.com is appealing, but if the only pet-friendly rooms are premium categories, the effective saving may be smaller than it first appears.

How to avoid pet fees at hotels

While Somerton House Hotel appears to charge no pet fee (based on multiple booking platforms), pet owners staying elsewhere can reduce or avoid fees by: booking directly with the hotel and asking about pet-fee waivers during off-peak periods; checking whether the room rate already includes a pet allowance; and confirming before booking that the room type you select is designated as pet-friendly. Some hotels also waive fees for service animals by law, so always disclose the nature of your dog’s status at the time of booking.

Can you leave dogs alone in dog friendly hotels?

UK law does not set a specific time limit for leaving a dog alone. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, dog owners have a legal duty to meet their dog’s needs — including the need for a suitable environment, adequate company, and the ability to exhibit normal behaviour. It is an offence to leave a dog alone for so long as to cause suffering (UK Government legislation; RSPCA guidance).

Many dog-friendly hotels set their own policies about whether dogs may be left unattended in rooms. Somerton House Hotel’s specific policy on this point is not publicly available in the source materials. General practice in the UK hotel sector is that many properties allow a dog to be left alone for short periods — roughly up to an hour — provided the dog is crated, is not destructive, and will not disturb other guests. Overnight first-time absences are generally discouraged, as the unfamiliar environment can cause distress.

The implication for travellers: The hotel does not advertise a dedicated dog-sitting service in the available sources. If you plan to leave your dog for any period — even a short dinner in the hotel restaurant — confirm the policy by phone before arrival.

Can I leave my dog in my hotel room for an hour?

Some hotels permit short absences of up to an hour if the dog is comfortable being alone and is not likely to bark or cause damage. Somerton House Hotel’s policy is not stated in the available research. Contact the hotel to confirm the exact time limit they allow.

Can I leave my dog in a crate in a hotel room?

Crating is common in dog-friendly hotels, as it reduces the risk of damage and gives staff confidence that the dog will not roam. The RSPCA advises that crated dogs should never be left for excessive periods and that crates should be appropriately sized. Always ask the hotel whether crated dogs are allowed and for how long.

How long can you legally leave a dog alone in the UK?

There is no fixed hour limit in UK law. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 requires that the dog’s needs be met throughout the absence. As a practical guideline, the RSPCA recommends that adult dogs should not be left alone for more than four hours at a time, though this is a welfare recommendation rather than a legal limit.

Is it safe to leave my dog alone overnight for the first time?

Overnight first-time absences are generally discouraged. A hotel room is unfamiliar, and dogs may become anxious, bark, or attempt to escape. If you must leave a dog overnight, arrange for someone to check in, use a crate, and ensure the hotel is aware and has consented.

“Great hotel that’s very dog friendly. Lovely comfortable rooms and really great, friendly staff. Highly recommended.”

– Unnamed guest testimonial, hotel website testimonial

“Food was excellent – from breakfast to sandwiches at lunchtime and superb evening meals all freshly made.”

– Unnamed guest testimonial, hotel website testimonial