Best Vets in England

Western Counties Equine Hospital Ltd is an equine-only hospital offering emergency veterinary care (including out-of-hours/24‑7 provision) and is also a veterinary nurse training facility. In the latest written reviews available to us, owners most often point to frequent updates during serious illness (including being kept informed “3 times a day”), practical help beyond clinical treatment (for example, staff helping to load a horse for discharge), and a general sense of reliability/trust.

All 4 Pets Vets describes itself as a family-run practice that combines general veterinary care with on-site rehab and “pet resort” services. The website highlights hydrotherapy, laser therapy and acupuncture clinics, plus boarding and grooming, alongside standard vet appointments. Reviews most often mention hydrotherapy sessions (including first-time appointments) and vets explaining treatment/operation options clearly; one owner also describes support through a dog’s cancer care over several years.

Cheltenham Equine Vets is a proudly independent equine practice treating horses, ponies and donkeys, with a stated 24/7 emergency service. Reviews repeatedly describe rapid response and clear, practical decision-making—examples include attending quickly for suspected colic, explaining realistic outcomes and options, and supporting owners through euthanasia decisions. Owners also mention scoping for ulcers with pre-visit guidance, and vets taking time to review feeding regimes and measurements rather than pushing costly next steps.

From the latest reviews available to us, owners repeatedly mention vets taking time to get the full history and explain next steps clearly, and being particularly good with nervous pets (one owner notes their dog is “usually nervous” but was handled in a way that made it a good experience). There’s also a detailed account of end-of-life support, including returning ashes and providing paw prints, a nose print, and a lock of fur as a keepsake.

Riverbank Veterinary Centre is described in reviews as a small, long-running practice, with clients reporting they’ve used it for decades (one mentions since 1980). Owners repeatedly name specific vets and nurses (including Richard, Mr Amour, Kim, and Philippa), and describe a personal style of care where staff “all know you and your animal.” Recent reviews mention support for end-of-life decisions and routine procedures like neutering; one reviewer also reports being unable to arrange a home visit when their pet was ill and later learning the pet needed urgent surgery elsewhere, suggesting limits around call-outs/urgent access in at least that case.

Holtspur Veterinary Clinic is part of the Active Vetcare Veterinary Group (the website describes the group as operating nine surgeries, with the group established since 1993). It presents itself as a small-animal practice set up for both routine care and more involved work (including dentistry, imaging and in-house lab testing, plus soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery and cardiology listed on the site).

Blythman & Partners describes itself as an independent, family-run veterinary practice with multiple branches and a dedicated emergency hospital. The website states its Gosforth practice has RCVS hospital status and the group is RCVS-accredited, with 24/7 emergency care provided via that hospital. From reviews, owners most often mention straightforward routine appointments (e.g., kennel cough injection with a “good examination” and “no waiting around”), staff using treats to help dogs relax while waiting, and being able to “fit us in for emergencies.” Pricing feedback is mixed: one owner says they “don’t ‘take the mick’ with charges,” while another says costs have increased and some medication-related visits can reach “3 figures.”