Welcome to Farm Cottage Boarding

A multiple award-winning, 5★ council-rated licensed dog hotel, providing exceptional care, comfort and unforgettable experiences for your four-legged family members.

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Offering luxury VIP Suites, Doggy Day Care, Wedding Chaperone Services, Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning, a professional Groom Room, Puppy & Behavioural Training, Dog Taxi, Bark & Ride airport transfers and a natural treat shop, we provide everything your dog needs under one trusted roof. With outstanding facilities, expert knowledge and a genuine passion for canine welfare, we create a safe, loving and enriching home-from-home environment where every dog is treated as one of our own.

A bit about us

Hi, we’re Alice and Bill, and we believe your dog deserves nothing less than the very best. Dogs have always been at the heart of our lives, and our passion for providing exceptional care is what inspired us to create Farm Cottage Boarding – a place where every dog is treated as one of our own.

Before buying the business in October 2024, we successfully ran our own home boarding business, where our dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to outstanding care were recognised when we won Family Business of the Year 2024 at the Lancashire Pet & Animal Care Awards.

Since purchasing the former Shelley’s Kennels, we have transformed Farm Cottage Boarding into a premium, modern dog care destination, combining professional expertise with a genuine home-from-home experience. Our vision was simple: to create somewhere owners can leave their dogs with complete confidence, knowing they are safe, happy, and loved.

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Our facilities & Prices

We provide a homely relaxing environment, from the moment your 4-legged family member steps into the reception area and throughout the entirety of their stay. We strive to give all our guests the best holiday possible
We have four exercise areas, shower and grooming room and a vet on-call 24 hours a day
The exercise areas are fully fenced and secure, including grass, astro and patio. We strive to be as allergy friendly as possible, which is why we have a pet friendly astroturf area to ensure those dogs with grass allergies still get the exercise they need without worrying about potential flareups
All dogs receive the benefit of 1:1 care and attention
With a staff ratio of 1 person to a maximum of 8 dogs, this gives us more than enough time to exercise each dog individually (with the option of group exercise)
Any special dietary requirements are discussed and agreed with owners and our facilities include fridges and freezers to accommodate for raw diets

Dog Hotel

The rooms are bright and airy with brand new Altro flooring which is durable, slip resistant and hygienic with VIP suites available. Each dog occupies over-sized centrally heated accommodation of the highest standard which is made of glass and UPVC with separate sleeping quarters.

Our Exercise Areas

Sensory garden – a paradise designed for our guests. With wind chimes, windmills, ball pool, wooden logs, lavender plants and so much more it’s the perfect place for dogs to explore, sniff and relax. It’s packed with snuffle and licky mats, brain games and hidden treats, encouraging natural instincts and mental stimulation. It’s a true chill out zone where dogs can use all their senses and just enjoy being a dog!

Doggy Day Care

We have a limited number of Day Care places available 7 days a week for an 8-hour period between 0700 – 1800
We can provide out of hours care by special request at our discretion.

Please use the online appointment booking facility to reserve a place

Poppy's Wagging Wood

A private, secure woodland space where dogs can simply be dogs.

Located at Farm Cottage Boarding, Poppy’s Wagging Wood gives you and your dog exclusive use of a secure, enclosed space to run, sniff, explore, play and enjoy off-lead freedom away from the distractions of public dog-walking areas.

Bookable from 8am until 8pm – just £5 for 30 minutes, or £10 for 60 minutes

Wedding Chaperone Service

You can rest assured that your dog will be safe with us, and their welfare will be our only priority to allow you to have complete peace of mind and enjoy your big day. We’re based in Tottington on the Bury/Bolton border and offer a friendly and professional service.

Bark & Ride

We know how hard it is to leave your four-legged family member when you go away — that’s why we created Bark & Ride, a stress-free solution for both of you. What’s the last thing you do before going on holiday? Drop off the dog.

Dog Taxi

£20 within a 4 mile radius of BL2 4JQ and 45p per mile thereafter
We can provide a lift to and from the vets, groomers etc and also offer a collection and delivery service when boarding with us.

Our Groom Room

Our onsite groomer, provides gentle, professional dog grooming in a calm and caring 1:1 environment. Every dog is treated as an individual, with grooming tailored to their coat, breed, and personality. Your dog’s comfort and wellbeing always comes first.

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Reviews

    
 
 
       Posted on Facebook  
   
   Peter Ward 
 
 
 
 recommendsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Facebook. We picked our boy Bailey up from Alice yesterday from his overnight trial. It all went just brilliant Bailey had the honour of being the very first to stay in the garden suite which is just stunning, set in lovely gardens and rural surroundings, we all worry when we leave our pets anywhere new but we can honestly say you will not find a better dog boarding for your furry friends. You can tell Alice is very experienced with dogs from the start and what made us know Bailey was very well looked after was when we picked him up he came up tail wagging and he was happy but when Alice started going into the house to get his things he started to follow her,   that told us everything we wanted to know that he felt comfortable in his new surroundings and especially with Alice, with Bailey passing his trail with flying colours it now gives us piece of mind that we can go away on our holidays knowing Bailey will be very well looked after which for us is priceless. Pete, Bev and Bailey xxx 💙🦮💙
  
 
      Posted on Facebook  
   
   Colin Mc Bride 
 
 
 
 recommendsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Facebook. We have a beautiful quirky 5 year old cocker spaniel Ollie. He has been to stay a few times now and we cannot recommend Alice , Bill and Poppy enough. Alice is such a genuine , caring , patient, amazing person who truly cares for your dog like her own. She takes time to listen and understand what their needs are and will do anything to make their stay safe and enjoyable. It is  so reassuring to know that the whole family are looking after Ollie. Poppy is brilliant with him too. Alice keeps you fully updated with regular photos/messages which is great. We are so glad we found you thank you so so much xx
  
 
      Posted on Facebook  
   
   Lesley Mallalieu 
 
 
 
 recommendsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Facebook. Thanks to Farm Cottage Home Boarding for such a wonderful, individual and personalised experience. Very much home from home. Put both me and Maisie at ease. Very friendly and professional. Thank you for allowing us in your beautiful home boarding. Appreciated the reassurance and support too, as it was the first time I’d left her. Poppy was amazing with Maisie too, thanks. Wouldn’t leave my beautiful girl with anyone else. So grateful we could get booked in. Thank you so much.
  
 
      Posted on Facebook  
   
   Michelle Whyte 
 
 
 
 recommendsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Facebook. Ollie has the best holidays with Alice and Bill, they look after him as if he was their own. He runs in and makes himself at home very quickly. I love getting my updates on his adventures. I have total confidence leaving him with them. Thanks Alice & Bill
  
 
      Posted on Facebook  
   
   Louise Sarah 
 
 
 
 recommendsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Facebook. We can’t thank Alice enough for looking after Bailey whilst we went on holiday. This was our first time leaving him so we were quite apprehensive but we needn’t be he was more than well looked after! He had the most amazing time and we were kept in contact daily with how he was doing and photos of his adventures. It was really reassuring to know he had settled so well  so we could enjoy our holiday without having to worry. I actually think he didn’t want to come home. Thank you again we will definitely be using FCH boarding again and would recommend to anyone looking for someone to take care of their dog 🐶
  
 
      Posted on Facebook  
   
   Beccy OShaughnessy 
 
 
 
 recommendsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Facebook. We 100% recommend Alice & Bill at farm cottage home boarding! We have 5 dogs and they have never been left without family before but due us getting married we needed somewhere for them to stay and they were perfect! They chaperoned all 5 of our dogs safely to the wedding, got them in their outfits and had them for 3 nights! They helped with all our pictures on the day and made me feel so much more relaxed about the dogs I can’t thank them enough for everything. One of our dogs has separation anxiety and they took extra care to look after her and make sure she was as relaxed as can be. They also gave one of our dogs all her medication she needed. A oerfect place for home boarding rather than kennels and an amazing wedding chaperone service 💗It couldn’t have gone any better thanks to Alice & bill and we would 100% use them again! Thanks guys 🤍🐾
  
 
      Posted on Facebook  
   
   Sugar.thesweetpooch 
 
 
 
 recommendsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Facebook. I Personally recommend this farm cottage home Boarding for your beloved fur kids. Alice is very friendly. Her area is beautiful and roamy. As first pet owner and my pet imported from abroad I worry too much so I talked too much but Alice remain calm ☺️ I appreciate thank you for the patience and accepting my fussy furgirl with 3 bags of her things 😂 highly recommended. 🤩
  
 
      Posted on Facebook  
   
   Emily Owen 
 
 
 
 recommendsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Facebook. We have Ed the Pug who has never stayed away from home without us or a close family member. We needed help for when we get married later this year and were looking for that perfect place where we knew Ed would be well cared for and safe! The moment we went to look around farm cottage home boarding we loved it! Alice and Bill were so reassuring and welcoming from the beginning. Ed has done one day trial, which he was a little reluctant during and has since done a one night sleepover. He was so excited to be back and settled much better in to his sleepover. We got regular updates throughout Ed’s time there and lots of pictures which are always appreciated and definitely reassuring. Ed’s routine stayed the same which we were very grateful for 🥰 We have found a star in farm cottage home boarding and we wouldn’t be sending Ed anywhere else! Thank you! 🐾
  
 
      Posted on Facebook  
   
   Julie Sinclair 
 
 
 
 recommendsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Facebook. A 10 star rating from Keeva’s owners after trying a few boarding kennels and not really being too happy with how Keeva was looked after - we asked around and through a mutual friend we found Farm Cottage and Alice - OMG and what a find Alice is such a genuinely lovely person and loves dogs. She knows Border Collies inside and out, having one of her own - the beautiful Poppy. She took time to get to know Keeva and read my pretty lengthy little 😂 introduction to Keeva, her likes dislikes etc which I could tell she had taken it all in when she gave me updates on Keeva’s stay - that meant a lot - daily photos and comments from Alice meant our stay away was really relaxed - Alice doesn’t just ‘look after’ your dog she really ‘cares’ for them and now Keeva is home, she has just settled back as if she’s never been away - awesome 🤩- we more than highly recommend Farm Cottage - especially if you have a Border Collie - can’t thank you enough and will See you soon Alice x x
  
 
      Posted on Facebook  
   
   Lois Olivia 
 
 
 
 recommendsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Facebook. My collie, Benji, stayed here for a night whilst we went away. I have absolutely nothing but positive words to say about Alice, her husband and her business. It’s the first time my dog has been to a boarders so I was slightly nervous. I was put at complete ease with Alice, I got lots of picture updates whilst he was there. I messaged in the evening to see how he was doing and got a prompt reply. Honestly just the best service, Benji had the best time with the family collie. He got lovely walks and was worn out once he got home. The set up is brilliant and a proper home from home experience. Thank you so much 🫶🏼

Welcome to Farm Cottage Boarding

Take a virtual tour

A bit about us

Make a Booking

Our facilities & Prices

Dog Hotel

Our Exercise Areas

Doggy Day Care

Poppy's Wagging Wood

Wedding Chaperone Service

Bark & Ride

Dog Taxi

Our Groom Room

Make a Booking

Reviews

Opening times & contact

Find us