Dog Friendly Northumberland

Your guide to the best dog friendly walks, beaches, places to stay and places to eat across Northumberland – from the castle coast and Cheviots to Kielder Forest and Hadrian’s Wall.

Northumberland is one of those places that feels like it was made for dogs. Miles of empty beaches backed by dunes, ancient forests with barely another soul around, and a coastline so spectacular it earned Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status – all without the crowds you find further south. This is England’s most sparsely populated county, and for dog owners, that is very much the point.

The variety here is remarkable. The Northumberland coast offers some of the finest dog friendly beaches in Britain – vast sweeps of golden sand beneath castle ruins, with rock pools, dunes and coastal paths connecting one stretch to the next. Inland, the Cheviot Hills and Simonside range deliver proper hill walking with panoramic views. Further west, Kielder Forest – the largest in England – is a world of its own, with dark skies, quiet trails and Kielder Water stretching through the trees. And running along the southern edge, Hadrian’s Wall offers dog friendly days out with two thousand years of history underfoot.

Whether you are exploring Bamburgh’s sweeping beach with your dog running ahead, following a woodland trail to a hidden waterfall, or settling into a coastal cottage after a long day on the coast path, this page brings together everything you need – places to stay, walks, beaches, pubs and days out – so you can plan your Northumberland adventure with your four-legged friend. For even more ideas, see our guide to dog friendly days out in Northumberland.

Dog Friendly Places to Stay in Northumberland

Coastal cottages near Bamburgh’s beaches and castles – a perfect base for exploring Northumberland with your dog.

Northumberland’s dog friendly accommodation puts you within easy reach of some of the most beautiful coastline in England. Both of our Northumberland stays are near Bamburgh – perfectly placed for beach walks, castle visits and exploring the wider coast.

Russet Cottage is tucked away in the village of Lucker, just a short drive from Bamburgh. Sleeping five across two bedrooms with room for two dogs, this is a comfortable base for exploring the Northumberland coast. Bamburgh’s spectacular beach is minutes away, and the village is a quiet retreat to come back to after a long day walking the coast path.

Pipistrelle Cottage sleeps eight across three bedrooms with two dogs welcome – a good option for families or groups exploring the coast together. Located on Stablewood Road in Bamburgh itself, you are on the doorstep of one of the most impressive stretches of coastline in England – Bamburgh Castle towering above, with the Farne Islands visible on the horizon and miles of sand stretching in both directions.

Dog Friendly Walks & Beaches in Northumberland

Wild beaches, ancient forests, hill walks and castle ruins – the best places to explore with your dog across Northumberland’s coast, hills and forests.

Northumberland is a walker’s county, and dogs make it even better. The 62-mile Northumberland Coast Path stretches from Cresswell to Berwick-upon-Tweed, linking vast beaches, fishing villages and castle ruins along one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in Britain. Inland, the hills and forests are quieter still – proper walking country where you can go for hours without meeting another person.

Budle Bay is a beautiful tidal bay just north of Bamburgh, backed by sand dunes and saltmarsh. At low tide the bay opens up into a vast expanse of sand – perfect for a long walk with your dog. The views across to Holy Island are stunning, and you can extend the walk along the coast path towards Bamburgh for a proper afternoon out. If rock pooling is more your thing, the stretch of beach between Beadnell and Seahouses is hard to beat.

Embleton Bay is one of Northumberland’s finest coastal walks. Starting from the village of Craster – famous for its smoked kippers – the path follows the clifftop north to the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, then drops down to the wide sandy sweep of Embleton Bay. Dogs are welcome throughout, and the combination of ruined castle, clifftop path and empty beach makes this one of the best dog walks in the county. From Embleton Bay you can continue along the coast to Low Newton and its dog friendly pub, The Ship Inn.

For huge expanses of sand perfect for zoomies, head to Druridge Bay – a seven-mile stretch of dog friendly beach that runs along the coast south of Amble. If you prefer your beaches quieter, Cresswell at the southern end of the coast path is a favourite with locals.

Simonside Hills rise above Rothbury and deliver some of the finest hill walking in Northumberland. Starting from Lordenshaws car park, the route climbs through heather moorland to the sandstone crags at the summit, with sweeping views east to the coast and west into the Cheviots. The walk passes ancient cup-and-ring marked rocks along the way – a reminder that people have been walking these hills for thousands of years. Dogs will love the open ground and the variety of terrain.

Thrunton Woods near Rothbury offers a gentler walk through mixed woodland with good paths and quiet trails. A lovely option for dogs who prefer shade and shelter to exposed hilltops. From Rothbury, it is worth visiting Barter Books in nearby Alnwick – one of the largest second-hand bookshops in the country, and dog friendly too. The National Trust’s Cragside is also close by, with dogs welcome in the gardens and grounds.

Harbottle and the Drake Stone takes you deep into the Northumberland National Park. The walk follows forest tracks and moorland paths to the Drake Stone – a massive natural boulder balanced on a hillside above the Coquet Valley. It is a wonderfully quiet walk through some of Northumberland’s wildest landscape, and dogs can enjoy the freedom of open ground away from the busier coastal paths.

Flodden Field near Wooler is a walk through history – the site of the 1513 Battle of Flodden, one of the largest and bloodiest battles between England and Scotland. The walk is gentle and the landscape is beautiful rolling farmland with wide views across the Cheviot Hills. Dogs on lead near livestock, as with all farmland walks. For more battlefield history, nearby Norham Castle and Humbleton Hillfort are worth exploring.

Kielder Forest is the largest forest in England, stretching across the west of Northumberland around Kielder Water reservoir. This is a different side of the county entirely – deep forest, dark skies (it is an International Dark Sky Park), and a real sense of remoteness. The walking is varied, from easy lakeside paths to longer forest trails. Dogs love the endless woodland and the quiet. Nearby Hareshaw Linn is one of Northumberland’s most impressive waterfalls, reached by a beautiful woodland walk from Bellingham. Further south, Hadrian’s Wall offers dog friendly days out at the Roman forts of Chesters and Housesteads – both with fascinating history and dogs welcome in the grounds.

Dog Friendly Places to Eat in Northumberland

From market-town favourites to coastal pubs – where to eat out with your dog in Northumberland.

Northumberland has a growing food scene, and plenty of it is dog friendly. Coastal villages and market towns across the county have pubs and cafes that welcome four-legged visitors – you just need to know where to look.

Pleased to Meet You in Morpeth is a popular spot in the heart of this attractive market town. Dogs are welcome inside, making it a great stop for lunch or coffee after exploring the Northumberland countryside. Morpeth itself is a lovely town to wander around with your dog – small enough to explore on foot, with independent shops and riverside walks along the Wansbeck.

Along the coast, The Ship Inn at Low Newton-by-the-Sea is a firm favourite with dog walkers – a tiny pub right on the beach that brews its own beer. If you are walking the coast path between Embleton Bay and Dunstanburgh Castle, this is the perfect halfway stop. In Craster, The Jolly Fisherman serves excellent seafood (including the famous Craster kippers) with views across to Dunstanburgh Castle, and welcomes dogs in the bar area. Further north in Bamburgh, there are several dog friendly cafes and pubs within easy reach of the beach.