Kate W
30 December 2019
Outdoor spaces abound in this fantastic county – and so do traditional pubs and winding walks that both you and your canine companion will love!
Explore this epic region with your dog by your side every step of the way before collapsing into cosy evenings at your pet-friendly holiday cottage.
From the ancient abbey at Whitby to the iconic Brimham Rocks, there’s plenty for you and Fido to discover in Yorkshire. Hop aboard the railway to take it all in or head straight to one of the exciting dog-friendly attractions, quaint towns and villages, or top seaside destinations for a day out in Yorkshire.
Start browsing our pet-friendly retreats and you’ll soon discover the ideal Yorkshire holiday cottage in our collection…
With so many things to do and places to visit with your pup in tow, where will you begin?
Read on to find out all about this phenomenal region and start planning your next pet-friendly getaway to Yorkshire.
Or visit our guide on how to care for your dog while on holiday – ensuring you’ll both have a fantastic time away together!
Yorkshire’s dog-friendly walks
Get tails wagging with time out and about exploring the incredible Yorkshire landscape by foot and by paw.
There’s nothing like getting out into the fresh air for a gentle stroll or challenging hike. With so many valleys and hills across the landscape, there are plenty of chances to uncover a breathtaking view or make your way through a low-lying gorge on a dog walk in Yorkshire.
Four of Britain’s fantastic national trails cross right through this vast county and provide great places to begin when walking Yorkshire. They are the Cleveland Way, Pennine Way, Pennine Bridleway, and Yorkshire Wolds Way.
Seemingly endless secret (and not-so-secret) natural spaces can be found throughout the valleys and moorland where you can let your dog off the leash for a run about to stretch their legs, splash through streams and sniff out wildlife trails.
Sutton Bank
Visit Sutton Bank Visitor Centre and choose from two trails: a 1-mile walk that offers wonderful views over the Vale of Mowbray and a 3-mile route where you can spot the White Horse of Kilburn.
Where to stay nearby: Rose Cottage – Helmsley, sleeps 6
Aysgarth Woods and Waterfall Walk
Explore the beautiful woodland, flowing river and crashing waterfalls of Aysgarth – and make sure you visit just after heavy rain to get the full force of the falls!
Aysgarth Woods and Waterfall Walk is a 7-mile circular trail that will lead you to the tumbling waterfalls then on to views of 14th-century Bolton Castle.
Where to stay nearby: Waterside Cottage – Leyburn, sleeps 4 and 1 dog
Malham Tarn Archaeology Walk
Uncover and learn about the ancient world during a dog walk through Malham Tarn. On this 5.5-mile National Trust archaeological walk, you’ll pass by a Roman camp, fells once full of Iron Age settlements and a 16th-century farmstead.
Where to stay nearby: Boos Barn, sleeps 6 + 2 dogs
The Horse Head Moor and Deepdale Walk
This route is challenging but worth the effort with breathtaking scenery and far-reaching views. Follow The Horse Head Moor and Deepdale Walk, a 5.5-mile route to admire views across the Three Peaks.
Where to stay nearby: Elbeck Barn, sleeps 4
Roseberry Topping
See bluebells and other wildflowers during the warmer months and spot birdlife all year round on a dog walk through 3.3 miles of scenic woodland and the famous hill with Roseberry Topping Woodland Wildlife Walk.
Where to stay nearby: The Old Police House, sleeps 4 and 2 dogs
The Yorkshire Dales is always a favourite for walking among the canine and human communities alike so find out about our top walking routes in the Dales.
Walk the Dales
Yorkshire’s dog-friendly towns and villages
This region is overflowing with charming towns and villages that would make a great place for a holiday with the dog, but these are just a few of our favourite pet-friendly places to visit.
Set on the edge of the North York Moors and on the beautiful Yorkshire coast, Whitby is a wonderful seaside escape for dogs and their owners enjoying a Yorkshire retreat.
Why it’s so dog-friendly: Part of Whitby beach welcomes dogs all year round and there’s a coastal walk that your playful pup will enjoy. Let the doggo splash through waves and dig on the beach before retreating into a dog-friendly pub for a bite to eat.
Our top pick for four-legged friends: Whitby Abbey is an iconic Yorkshire landmark, having inspired the literary treasure that is Dracula, and is an impressive ruin set by the sea. It’s the ideal place for morning walkies; breathe in the fresh sea air while the dog stretches his or her legs.
Harrogate is an upmarket spa town known for its shopping, tearooms and convention centre which holds fantastic events.
Why it’s so dog-friendly: You may not expect this stylish town to accommodate four-legged guests so readily, but there is plenty of magnificent parkland that is perfect for pups and their owners to explore, not to mention pet-friendly cafes and gardens to visit.
Our top pick for four-legged friends: The Stray offers 200 acres of grass parkland where Fido can play fetch, race about and meet other dogs during your Yorkshire holiday.
This mystical Yorkshire Dales market town is in the heart of Yorkshire walking country with winding rural routes and local dales to climb.
Why it’s so dog-friendly: There are plenty of pet-friendly pubs in and around this characterful town and you can head into Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for fantastic dog walks.
Our top pick for four-legged friends: Take a trip up to Scar House Reservoir for walkies beside a beautiful body of water in scenic Nidderdale. Your dog can sniff wildlife trails while you enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with building such a remarkable reservoir in such a remote spot.
Dog-friendly Yorkshire attractions
Besides the seemingly endless dog walking opportunities to be found here, there’s a whole range of wonderful dog-friendly attractions to entertain the entire family during your getaway to Yorkshire.
Explore the beautiful plants and sculptures that adorn this parkland with the dog by your side. With wonderful lakes, ancient trees, and striking artwork to discover, you’ll have a wonderful time – and your playful pup will love the free time being outside in the fresh air!
There’s an information centre where you can begin your exploration, an adventure playground for energetic kids and a tearoom where you can sit down for a cake and coffee after walking the steep slopes of this impressive garden.
This intriguing open-air museum has artefacts and exhibitions on life from the Iron Age all the way through to the 1950s.
There are historic buildings to explore here including an Iron Age roundhouse, the Daylight Photographic Studio from 1902, and the impressive 16th-century manor house, and they even house farm animals for you to meet.
On-site, you’ll also find The Harrison Collection – antiques and curiosities from across five centuries of British history that have been gathered by local brothers Edward and Richard Harrison over the last 60 years.
Hop aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for wonderful scenery and to stop off at a few of the quaint and characterful towns found across the region. Dogs are welcome aboard with their own ticket so the pup can go exploring the Yorkshire countryside with you!
You could stop off at Whitby, Goathland or Pickering for walks, shops and to grab a bite to eat and there are tearooms and gift shops at stations all along the heritage line. Visit Whitby Abbey or roam the woodland of Grosmont; there are plenty of beautiful spaces waiting to be discovered by you and your canine companion.
Managed by the National Trust, the iconic Brimham Rocks is a 30ft-high balancing rock formation and it’s a must-visit for you and your four-legged friend.
Walk beneath the towering natural structures, wander the surrounding moorland and take in a phenomenal sunset from this incredible location.
Magnificent country houses are always impressive places to visit and, although the exquisite Burton Agnes Hall doesn’t allow dogs in the property itself, there are miles of grounds to uncover with the pup by your side.
Visit the walled gardens, wind your way through the jungle garden and adventure along the mile-long Woodland Sculpture Walk – altogether offering a fantastic dog-friendly day out.
More excellent dog-friendly attractions in Yorkshire that you and your canine companion could visit include Castle Howard, Whitby Abbey, Thorp Perrow Arboretum, Forge Dam, Helmsley Castle and Pocklington Canal.
The exquisite landscape of Yorkshire is full of beautiful gardens that you and your doggo can explore. Take a look at these dog-friendly gardens in Yorkshire bursting with wonderful flora to discover.
Walk Yorkshire’s gardens
Yorkshire’s dog-friendly beaches
With so much fantastic natural scenery inland to seek out, people often overlook the exquisite coast that lines this county – that’s a big mistake, especially when you have playful pups in tow.
There are plenty of wide, sandy beaches with rolling waves that hounds love to splash through and cosy cafes that welcome tired paws after all that seaside excitement.
A few fantastic beaches to head to with the dog include the secret beach of Cayton Bay, the grass banks and sandy shore of Marske Sands, and the remote and rocky Kettleness Cove.
Robin Hood's Bay is always a favourite among holidaymakers with towering cliffs and an old fishing village to explore after a jaunt on the sandy beach, and the magnificent Saltburn-by-Sea beach also offers grand cliff faces and a shingle shore for a long dog walk.
Finally, we’d always recommend a trip to the quiet, secluded, sandy beach of Reighton Sands – a great place for dogs and humans to enjoy a peaceful beach trip.
Here are some of our favourite dog-friendly cafes near beaches:
- The Cow Shed Tea Shop At Fraisthorpe Beach – with panoramic views, this café is set on Fraisthorpe Beach which is wonderfully dog-friendly all year!
- Sandside Café – set by Sandsend Beach where there are summer restrictions for dogs, so check ahead.
- The Old Post Office Tea Rooms – it’s a hidden gem, great for post-walkies refreshments right by dog-friendly Mapperton Beach.
- Wits End Café – another dog-friendly café down by beautiful Sandsend Beach where restrictions apply to part of the beach during the summer.
- Beach Café – this is a wonderful spot for ‘brews and views’ by Filey Beach – a wide, sandy beach with summer restrictions.
Keeping dogs safe on the beach
Beaches offer a fantastic day out for all the family and especially the four-pawed members, however, this unique environment offers a whole host of potential risks to hounds and their owners. Check out these tips to enjoy a safe and sound trip to the seaside with your playful pup.
- If it’s hot, make sure they stay cool as there’s very little shade where dogs can rest on a wide, open beach. Perhaps bring a beach umbrella to avoid heatstroke – ideal for both you and the dog.
- Dogs get sunburnt too! There are specialist doggy sun creams you can apply to the nose, ears and anywhere else where fur is thinner, and you can ensure there’s plenty of shade so your dog can hide from the sunshine when they need to.
- Keep an eye on what your dog is eating/chewing/rolling about in on the beach. Many UK beaches have awards for their excellent standard of cleanliness, but you never know what potentially dangerous or poisonous items your dog may sniff out.
- Bring fresh water and a bowl, and don’t let your dog drink salt water as this will dehydrate an already thirsty pup.
- Don’t let dogs swim in deep water where you can’t follow. Look out for areas of heavy currents – dark blue areas where the water is especially deep can be treacherous. Take a look at tide charts before you go.
- Keep dogs on leads when walking near cliff edges or slippery, unstable rocks.
Dogs loves beaches! A windswept walk along the sand and the chance to splash through rolling waves can give an old dog a new lease of life and even offers doggos the chance to socialise with other pups on popular dog-walking beaches.
Food and drink in Yorkshire
After roaming the wilds of Yorkshire and exploring the exciting attractions throughout this county, there’s nothing better than ducking inside a warm dog-friendly pub and settling down to refuel with good food.
The North York Moors is a top destination for walkers and explorers and these pubs offer the perfect sanctuary after busy days full of adventure.
Dog-friendly places to eat in the Moors
Over in the famed Yorkshire Dales, traditional inns and country pubs pepper the landscape. Stop by one of these dog-friendly pubs for a pint or a full pub lunch.
More top dog pubs in the Dales
Yorkshire’s dog-friendly cottages
Discover the perfect holiday cottage for your next getaway with your dog to Yorkshire in our collection. We have large cottages for all the family (including the tufty-pawed ones!) and romantic retreats for couples looking for a chance to escape for a peaceful few days with your best friend in tow.
Check out our post covering a few top cottages in beautiful Pateley Bridge and see if you can find yourself the ideal paw-friendly Yorkshire retreat.
Pateley Bridge top picks
Walk the Dales or adventure across the exquisite North York Moors with your dog by your side from the comfort of one of our cosy dog-friendly cottages in Yorkshire.
Dog-friendly romantic cottages
• Yew Tree Cottage – Howden (sleeps 2 and 2 dogs)
• The Shed (sleeps 2 and 2 dogs)
Dog-friendly cottages for families
• Fern Retreat (sleeps 4 and 2 dogs)
• Pheasant Cottage – Chopgate (sleeps 6 and 2 dogs)
Dog-friendly cottages for larger groups
• Curlew Cottage – Goathland (sleeps 8 and 2 dogs)
• Skyline (sleeps 10 and 3 dogs)
• Crag Cottage (sleeps 8 and 2 dogs)
We have a wonderful selection of luxury holiday cottages throughout Yorkshire for you to discover. Let sleeping dogs lie on fluffy fireside rugs while you and your guests curl up on the sofa after a busy day out and about.
There's so much to do and so many dog-friendly places to visit throughout this fantastic county that you and Fido will be spoilt for choice!
Browse our full collection gorgeous dog-friendly cottages in Yorkshire and start planning your next UK holiday.
View all our dog-friendly Yorkshire cottages
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.