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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Welcome to Farm Cottage Boarding
Multiple award winning 5* council rated Dog Hotel, Luxury VIP Suites, Doggy Day Care, Wedding Chaperone Service, Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning, Groom Room, Puppy & Behavioural Training, Dog Taxi, Shop selling natural treats and Bark & Ride to airport service
Farm Cottage Boarding
- Owners Bill Brown & Alice Holt are licensed with Bury Council AWL0041 for 48 dogs and meet all of the 5* higher standards and optional higher standards in accordance with DEFRA guidelines
- DBS checked
- Public liability insured
- Ofqual Level 3 qualified in Canine Care, Behaviour & Welfare
- Level 3 qualified in Canine Psychology
- Canine First Aid Level 2
- Canine Communication Diploma
- Training Deaf Dogs qualification
- 2nd place in Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary 2025 Business Battle raising £2100 for charity
- Award of Excellence from Butternut Nutrition School 2025
- As featured in Lancashire Life, Cheshire Life, I Do magazine & The Canine Times
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A bit about us
Hi, we’re Alice and Bill and before buying the business we ran a successful home boarding business for dogs where we won ‘Family Business of the Year 2024’ in the Lancashire Pet & Animal Care Awards. We’ve now realised our dream of expanding our existing business to offer a ‘one stop shop’ for all your doggy needs in a friendly and stimulating environment.
We’ve set the business up in a way that we’d want our own dog to be looked after, i.e. daily updates and photos of how they’re getting on and what they’re doing, lots of cuddles etc. We take pride in providing 1:1 care and attention for each dog, with individual exercise and enrichment programmes discussed with owners prior to them being left.
We’re passionate about dogs and have always had them since being very young. Up until recently we had three of our own, Poppy – a Border Collie, Archie – a Border Terrier and Billy – a Beagle who we rescued from Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary after him living there for 8 years waiting for his forever home. Unfortunately, Archie and Billy passed over Rainbow Bridge due to old age and so now we just have Poppy and our new addition, a rescue Border Collie called Del.
Having been brought up with dogs and having always had at least one dog we’d consider ourselves experienced dog owners. Over the years we’ve faced a number of situations and challenges including bringing a new puppy home, rescue dogs, house training, recall training, jealousy, separation anxiety, possessiveness and we’ve also had dogs with behavioural issues which unfortunately means we’ve been bitten a few times too!
Where are we?
Higher Bury Meadows Farm
Roading Brook Road, Tottington, Bury, BL2 4JQ
We’re situated in Lancashire’s green belt land between Bury and Bolton in beautiful rural surroundings
Opening times & contact
Monday – Friday – 10am – 4pm
Saturday & Sunday – 10am – 4pm
Pick up and drop offs between 10am – 12pm & 2pm – 4pm
Out of hours available by prior arrangement
Come and visit us any day between 10am – 3pm (no appointment necessary) or contact us by email fchomeboarding@gmail.com, by phone 07359 211005 or via social media using the links below.
Meet the Team
ALICE
Top Dog - Operations
Level 3 OFQUAL qualified in Canine Care, Behaviour & Welfare, Level 2 qualified in Canine First Aid, Canine Communication Diploma, Deaf Dogs training, and Canine Psychology trained. Having previously worked as an Exec Assistant, Alice is very organised and customer focused. She set up her own ‘school holiday’ dog walking business at the age of 11 and would have a house full of dogs if she could!
NICOLE
Canine Care Manager
BTEC Level 3 qualified with distinction in Animal Care and also Level 2 qualified in Canine First Aid. Nicole is currently working towards a Level 2 qualification in Canine Care & Welfare. Her commitment and knowledge of all our boarders is invaluable and her attention to detail is second to none
BILL
Top Dog - Front of House
Level 2 qualified in Canine First Aid, and First Aid at Work trained. Bill is practical, down to earth and straight talking. Very handy and likes making things – he has a fine collection of screws! Former Royal Marine and loves being outdoors
POPPY
Resident Head of Security
Poppy is our beloved resident dog and the heart of Farm Cottage Boarding. At just 5 years old, she’s already explored 16 European countries with us in our campervan! Poppy isn’t just part of the family – she’s our inspiration. She’s the face behind our logo and the standard by which we care for every guest. Each decision we make comes back to one simple question: “If it was Poppy what would we do?”
RICK
Hotel Repairs & Maintenance
PAT Testing and Electrical Safety qualified. Rick is recently retired and a great hands-on help when we need something doing! He always seems to be around when there’s food about!
LUCIA
Canine Care Associate
Lucia joined our team as part of her school work experience placement, and it quickly became clear she was far too good to let go! Now in Year 11, she works on Saturdays and during school holidays, bringing a natural talent for working with dogs. With her sights set on becoming a vet, she’s gaining invaluable hands-on experience caring for dogs of all shapes and sizes
ELIZABETH
Canine Care Associate
Level 3 BTEC qualified in Animal Management with three Distinction Stars, Pet First Aid qualified and trained in Canine Behaviour and Dog Grooming. Elizabeth is studying Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Myerscough University to further her career. She has a passion for animals and her future goal is to be a Guide Dog trainer
JACOB
Canine Care Associate
Jake recently completed his GCSEs and is now continuing his studies at Holy Cross College. Some of you may recognise him, as he used to live here before we bought the business. Having grown up on the premises, Jake knows his way around like no one else. His familiarity with the environment, combined with his natural ease around dogs, makes him a valuable extra pair of hands during busy periods
TERI
Bedtime Canine Care Associate
Teri has been recruited as the trusted night time carer for our guests with the all important job of late night let outs, cosy tuck ins and bedtime belly rubs to ensure every guest drifts off into a night of sweet dreams. Level 2 qualified in Canine First Aid and whether it’s a walk for a last toilet opportunity under the stars or a little extra reassurance before lights out Teri is there to make sure every dog feels safe, snug and loved
JODIE
Canine Care Associate
Jodie started on her journey with us through a 150-hour placement while studying for her Level 2 in Animal Care at Eccles Sixth Form College. She’s Level 2 qualified in Canine First Aid and her dedication, enthusiasm, and aptitude for animal welfare quickly distinguished her as an invaluable asset to our team. Recognising her potential, we offered her a part-time position upon the completion of her placement
DANA
Canine Care Associate
Dana is an aspiring dog groomer currently studying at Bury College. She started with us initially on a voluntary basis to gain experience with dogs of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments, and her passion and enthusiasm quickly earned her a part-time role with us. Her love for dogs shines through in everything she does!
DYLAN
Canine Care Associate
At just 16, Dylan has already shown amazing dedication to caring for dogs. After reaching out to ask if we had any vacancies, his enthusiasm and experience instantly impressed us. Having spent weekends and school holidays working at Pearson & Paws, he’s gained fantastic hands-on skills for someone his age. Dylan is trained in Level 3 Canine First Aid and is now working towards his Level 2 Canine Care & Welfare qualification — we’re so proud to have him on our team!
Our facilities
- 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 three large 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
Our prices
Prices are per day and inclusive of pick up and drop off days
Dog Hotel – 18 rooms available, £35 a day for one dog, for two dogs sharing its £50 a day, for three dogs sharing its £65 a day and for four dogs sharing its £80 a day
VIP Suites (guests have their own sofa & tv) – 3 large rooms available, £60 a day for one dog, for two dogs sharing its £90 a day, or for three dogs sharing its £110 a day
VIP Mini (guests have their own sofa & tv) – 2 smaller rooms available, £45 a day for one dog, for two dogs sharing its £70 a day, or for three dogs sharing its £90 a day
Doggy Day Care – available 7 days a week, £15 for a 4-hour period and £25 for an 8-hour period between 0700 – 1800. Out of hours available by special request and at our discretion
Wedding Chaperone Service – price dependant on package chosen
Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning – £25 per visit (30-45 minute appointment) for comprehensive ultrasonic cleaning including oral examination and plaque/tartar removal. Ongoing maintenance required every 6-8 weeks
Dog Taxi service – £20 within a 4 mile radius from BL2 4JQ (a lift to the vets, groomers, pick up and drop offs etc) and 45p a mile thereafter
- All dogs sharing a room MUST be from the same household – this is a strict licence requirement
- All new dogs MUST first have an initial overnight trial stay at a cost of £70 – this is a strict licence requirement
What’s included?
- 6 onsite exercise (and with owners consent group socialisation) sessions (8am toilet opportunity before breakfast; 9:30-11:30am playtime lasting at least 20 mins; 11:30-1pm one to one enrichment activities / brain games; 1:30-4pm playtime lasting at least 20 mins; 5-6pm toilet opportunity after evening meal; 8:30-10pm toilet opportunity before bed and lights out)
- Individual feeding routine as you do at home
- Medication, health supplements such as oils and joint care tablets administered if required
- All rooms centrally heated with air-con for the summer months and CCTV
- Plastic beds with vet bedding
- Vet on call 24/7
- All members of the team qualified in Animal Management or Canine Care and Canine First Aid trained
- Fully insured (pre-existing conditions excluded)
- A free shower and brush before home time
What’s not included?
- Food – please portion up and label (or provide a measuring scoop)
- Treats
Minimum stay & Bank Holidays
- Please note we operate a minimum stay period of 5 days during peak periods (i.e. school holidays)
- All Bank Holidays including Good Friday will attract a supplement of £10 per day per dog
- Closed days will be charged double. These are Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve & New Years Day
Dog Hotel
- The rooms are bright and airy with brand new Altro flooring which is durable, slip resistant and hygienic
- Each dog occupies over-sized centrally heated accommodation of the highest standard which is made of glass and UPVC with separate sleeping quarters
- There are extra-large rooms available for family groups so dogs that live together need not be separated
- We purposely do not have external runs attached to the rooms to ensure they remain warm and dry
- Each guest has access to the outside area at least six times a day, with playtime lasting a minimum of 20 minutes, in one of our secure exercise areas to give them plenty of stimulation, cuddles and fresh country air to give them a good nights rest
- Each individual room has its own Ring Camera so we can monitor them 24 hours a day to ensure their safety and happiness
- Someone is on site 24/7 and the building is fitted with anti snap locks on all doors, an alarm system on doors and windows and smoke detectors which are connected to the house and our phones should an alarm go off out of hours
- Guests are treated to a complimentary hot shower (in our top of the range facility), towel dry and brush, before their return home, to ensure they’re smelling lovely, for that fresh from the spa feeling!
- We offer a range of shampoos (to suit your dogs skin type) however, please feel free to bring your own from home if you prefer
Please use the online booking facility to reserve a room
Luxury VIP Suites
- We have 5 VIP Suites available
- The VIP Suites have been designed to look and feel like a living room and as such your dog will have its own sofa and television
- The suites have heating, smoke detector, are insulated and monitored by CCTV
- Your dog will be exercised individually and will not mix with any other dogs during their stay unless we have your consent to do so
- Flexible drop off and pick up times
- These get booked up quite far in advance and are allocated on a first come first served basis
Please use the online booking facility to reserve a room
Our 3 exercise areas
- Sensory garden – a paradise designed for our guests. With wind chimes, windmills, a sandpit, 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. Its a true chill out zone where dogs can use all their senses and just enjoy being a dog!
- The Triangle – is our all weather play area with rubber matting to ensure our guests can play all year round without getting muddy paws. The 2 metre fence provides a safe and secure environment, while our agility equipment keeps tails wagging with lots of fun and exercise
- Astro Turf play area – the perfect spot for allergy sensitive dogs. The pollen free turf keeps sneezes away and offers a soft, fun space to run and play. With climbing equipment, lots of toys to chase and fetch the dogs can have endless hours of tail wagging fun
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
- Places get booked up quite far in advance and are allocated on a first come first served basis
- Regular and adhoc bookings available
Please use the online appointment booking facility to reserve a place
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 covering the North-West of England at a competitive price.
Create your own bespoke package from (but not limited to) the following services;
- Pre wedding day meet and greet
- Boarding for your dog the night before and after your wedding and during your honeymoon if required
- Transport your dog to and from the venue
- Dressing and grooming your dog
- Ensure your dog is exercised, fed, watered and has toilet breaks during the day
- Provide support to photographer in getting the perfect shot of you and your dog
- Liaise with your wedding planner during the day
- Be on standby with treats and toys
- Behind the scenes photos of your dog on your special day
- Regular updates while your dog is in our care
- Advice on itinerary ideas to get your dog involved in your special day
- Attend wedding rehearsals if required
- We can accommodate any breed of dog, special requests, specific medical conditions and behavioural issues (i.e. separation anxiety, nervousness, highly energetic etc)
Please contact us directly to chat through your requirements and for a personalised quote
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. And the first thing you do when you get home? Pick them up.
We make it seamless. Here’s how it works:
• Drop your dog off for their holiday at Farm Cottage Boarding
• Park your car with us — for free
• We’ll arrange a lift to get you to the airport (fee payable)
• When you land, we’ll arrange for you to be collected and reunited with your best friend
Why choose Bark & Ride?
• One-stop drop-off for your dog and your car
• Car parked in a gated area with 24/7 CCTV
• No expensive airport parking
• Comfortable, secure pet care with people who love dogs
• No stress
• A happy dog and peace of mind for you
Travel made simple. For both of you.
Find out more and arrange your Bark & Ride today by emailing us fchomeboarding@gmail.com
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
Please contact us directly for availability and to book
Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning for Dogs
Ultrasonic teeth cleaning is a non-invasive, sedation-free method that uses ultrasonic waves to remove plaque and tartar from your dog’s teeth. The benefits include;
- More effective plaque & tartar removal
- Less stressful for your dog
- Reduced risk of gum damage
- Better for overall oral health and supports general health
- Efficient & precise procedure
Ultrasonic teeth cleaning is highly effective, but it may not be suitable for:
- Dogs with fragile teeth (young puppies, brittle teeth, or loose teeth)
- Severe gum disease or oral infections (may require veterinary intervention first)
- Aggressive or highly unmanageable dogs who cannot remain calm during the procedure
- Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning Package
£25 per visit (30-45 minute appointment) for comprehensive ultrasonic cleaning including oral examination and plaque/tartar removal. Ongoing maintenance required every 6-8 weeks
Please contact us directly for availability and to book
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.
Grooming Services
- Basic Groom – ideal for routine maintenance and includes brush and de-mat, bath with high-quality shampoo, blow dry, nail trim, ear clean, tidy trim if required
- Full Groom – perfect for dogs needing a complete style and includes everything in the Basic Groom, plus full body haircut (breed standard or owner preference), paw pad and sanitary trim
- Puppy Introduction Groom – a positive, confidence-building experience for puppies under 6 months and includes a gentle bath and dry, light trim, nail and ear introduction
- Dog-First Approach – working at your dog’s pace and taking extra care with nervous, anxious, or rescue dogs
- Quality Products – only gentle, dog-safe shampoos and conditioners are used – no harsh chemicals
- Calm Environment – A quiet, welcoming space where dogs can relax
- Experienced & Compassionate Care – your dog is handled with patience, kindness, and respect at all times
Shop
The following natural dog treats are available to buy either gift boxed (Birthday, Valentine, Easter or Christmas Eve box) or in a ‘pic n mix’ bag;
- Chicken foot– rich in omega oils and chondroitin
- Cows ear– low fat and rich in chondroitin
- Filled hoof– collagen rich chew
- Hairy rabbit ear– vitamin rich and low in cholesterol
- Deer leg– long lasting, high in protein and low in fat
- Pizzle filled bone– hard, chewy, long-lasting treat
- Pigs ear– contains natural glucosamine and chondroitin
- Filled bone– can alleviate boredom, provide stress relief and dental care
Medication protocol
If your dog is coming to stay with us and requires any form of medication, please read the following carefully:
Medication must be provided in a clearly labelled pill box, similar to the example shown.
While we are happy to administer medication at no additional charge, both during and outside normal working hours, it must be clearly organised and labelled.
During peak periods, we may be caring for multiple dogs on medication at the same time. A labelled pill box is essential to ensure the correct medication, correct dosage, and correct timing for each dog.
There are strict rules we must follow when administering medication:
- Paperwork must be completed every time medication is given
- Dogs must be monitored for any adverse reactions
- We must know the condition being treated
- We must see the original medication packaging/container, including vet details, to verify dosage instructions
If your dog is on ANY medication, you must inform us at the time of booking or as soon as medication is prescribed.
We also need to be confident that medication can be administered without causing undue stress to your dog or risk to our staff. If we feel this is not possible, we reserve the right to decline the booking.
Client Area
Booking
- Please note that a minimum of 5 days stay apply during peak periods (i.e. school holidays)
- As we’re a small business, bookings cannot be made on a provisional basis
- Bookings will be confirmed if there’s availability
Payments
- Deposits are 30% (minimum £70) of the total bill & is required to be paid on confirmation of booking. This will be non- refundable / non-transferable and be deducted from the final bill
- Deposits are required within 24 hours of booking. Booking requests will be cancelled if payment is not received
- Cancellations within 28 days of your stay will incur the full charge of the room for the full period of the booking
- All final payments are due 14 days prior to your stay. Bookings may be cancelled if payment is not received by this point
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Contact
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide exceptional care, comfort, and enrichment for every dog we welcome. We are dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing environment where each dog can thrive through personalised care that enhances their wellbeing. We strive to exceed customer expectations and ensure every stay is a positive, enriching experience — always guided by one simple question: What would we do if it were our dog?
Our Campervan Hire
Our VW T6 campervan registered in 2019 is available for hire for just £75 a day. It’s set up ready to go with everything you need for your UK adventure. All you need to supply is bedding, fuel and arrange fully comprehensive insurance for your trip.