Dog friendly days out in North Yorkshire
God’s Own County has something for everyone ... especially dogs
Spanning more than six thousand square kilometres, North Yorkshire is England’s largest county. To put this into perspective, the county is more than twice the size of the country of Luxembourg.
With rolling hills, wild uplands and a beautiful stretch of coastline, North Yorkshire has all the best features of the English landscape rolled up into one delightful package. Visitors can enjoy anything from a stroll on the beach to a trek up a hill, all in the same afternoon.
Home to two national parks, encompassing parts of four areas of outstanding natural beauty and countless sites of historic interest, God’s Own County really does have something for everyone – especially if you’re visiting with your dog.
For Family Days Out In North Yorkshire
Robin Hood’s Bay
No holiday in North Yorkshire is complete without a trip to the seaside. Robin Hood’s Bay is our favourite of the picturesque fishing villages scattered along the coast: with plenty of dog friendly shops and cafés, as well as a sandy beach that’s dog friendly year round, there’s no better place to spend a sunny day with your dog.
Build sandcastles on the shore, explore the rock pools at low tide or walk along the beach to find Boggle Hole. According to local folklore, Boggle Hole was home to a mischievous hobgoblin who dwelled in the caves here, a legend which was perhaps encouraged by the smugglers who stored their wares in the same spot. Today, you’re more likely to find fossils than fables, with Boggle Hole a designated SSSI due to the number of fossils found here.
When you’re finished at the beach, one of the best local dog walks is to stroll along the cliffs as far as Ravenscar, before returning inland along the Cinder Track. If you have time at the end of the day, it’s worth joining one of the ghost walks around the village – well behaved dogs are welcome to tag along, too.
Fountains Abbey
Fountains Abbey is one of the National Trust’s best loved sites. Founded in 1132 by a group of monks who were fed up with the extravagant lifestyle at their original monastery, Fountains was a prospering abbey up until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. The ruins today are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with the beautiful Georgian water gardens at Studley Royal.
Take a picnic and wander through the abbey and water gardens, but make sure to detour up the small hill to Anne Boleyn’s seat – arguably the finest view of the abbey (although it’s doubtful that Anne Boleyn ever actually visited the site).
Walk slightly further to visit the Valley of the Seven Bridges: a shady woodland stroll with a shallow stream winding through the trees. This part of the site is the highlight of the day for visiting dog owners, with the opportunity for pups to have a run off the lead and a paddle in the water. Don’t forget your frisbee!
Bolton Abbey and the Strid
The dramatic arch of Bolton Abbey is perhaps one of the most iconic silhouettes in North Yorkshire, and has been immortalised in a series of paintings including landscapes by J. M. W. Turner. It’s the epitome of a peaceful riverside scene, complete with stepping stones and a small sandy beach.
Dog owners can explore several walking trails which wind their way through Strid Wood, including a designated ‘off lead zone’, so you can choose which trails best suit you and your dog.
The woods here are one of the largest remaining ancient oak woodlands in North Yorkshire, and are a treasure trove of wild flowers and native species including otters, kingfishers and woodpeckers. The star attraction of the woods is the Strid, a natural wonder where the river narrows and the water speeds up due to the increased pressure (note that the Strid is dangerous and not safe for swimming).
Finish off your walk with a visit to one of the tea rooms or cafés you can find on the estate: many are dog friendly and welcome dogs both inside and outside. Our favourite is The Devonshire Arms but you can find out more on the estate’s website.
For Woodland Walks In North Yorkshire
Dalby Forest
Nestled in the heart of the North York Moors National Park, Dalby Forest is sometimes referred to as ‘the Great Yorkshire Forest’. Stretching across more than three thousand hectares, the forest is popular with families, dog walkers and mountain bikers alike.
Choose from one of several walking trails, ranging from easy walks of half a mile to longer routes up to five miles, or pick up a Gruffalo Orienteering Activity for kids for £1.50.
If you want a longer walk, you can easily combine a few of the trails. Our top pick would be a visit to the Bridestones, a series of enormous and unusual rock formations, similar to Brimham Rocks near Pateley Bridge. Many of the routes follow well surfaced paths and forest roads, but you can easily get off the beaten track if you want to indulge in a spot of forest bathing.
Alternatively, visit after dark to explore this dark sky discovery site – Dalby is one of those special places where the Milky Way can be seen with the naked eye.
Aysgarth Falls
At first impression, you might not think of Aysgarth Falls as the place to find a woodland walk. With three levels of falls on the River Ure in Wensleydale, Aysgarth Falls are best known as a location from the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and they are a popular picnic spot for both visitors and locals. It’s the perfect place for a paddle to cool down on a hot day.
Walk just a little further though and you’ll find Freeholders Wood: a haven of peace and quiet, in summer this small but perfectly formed wood is dappled by sunlight and a thousand different shades of green. It’s also one of those rare places in the Yorkshire Dales where you can let your dog off the lead without having to worry about livestock lurking around every corner.
That being said, keep your eyes open for the red squirrels who live in these woods. The easiest way to find them is to stand still and listen for the rustle of them scampering through the treetops: you’ll hear them before you see them.
Yearsley Woods
Yearsley Woods is a hidden gem almost exclusively frequented by locals. Located in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the woods here have an array of woodland paths which can be combined into a delightful variety of walks. The trees are a mix of coniferous and deciduous species, creating a wonderful spectrum of greens no matter what time of year you visit.
While the woods are a popular dog walking spot thanks to the unlimited off-lead opportunities, there’s more than enough space for everyone here. The paths are generally broad and well surfaced, with the odd tantalising woodland trail disappearing into the trees like something out of a fairytale.
Even if there are other people around when you set off, walk for ten minutes and all you’ll hear is the cheerful chorus of the forest’s resident birds chirping in the canopy. And if it’s rainy, take your wellies for puddle jumping – it’s the perfect place for a budget and dog friendly family day out.
For History Lovers In North Yorkshire
Whitby Abbey
First founded in 657 AD by King Oswiu of Northumbria, Whitby Abbey has seen more than 1500 years of history unfold. From Viking raiders to major ecclesiastical events like the Synod of Whitby in 664, Whitby Abbey has stood through it all. Today only Gothic ruins remain, standing on the cliffs overlooking the bustling seaside town.
These days, the abbey is most celebrated as a source of inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. You can follow in Dracula’s footsteps and climb up the 199 steps to the abbey, then wander through the graveyard next door and see how many character names you can spot on the headstones. Visitors during summer holidays can enjoy an interactive Dracula play, popular with children and adults alike.
On a sunny day the views over the coast and town of Whitby are second to none, but even in inclement weather there’s still an atmospheric air which lingers over the ruins. Dogs are welcome in the abbey, as well as in the on site museum and café – and it’s just a short walk down to the beach after (some dog restrictions in summer). Make sure to sample some famous Whitby fish and chips before you leave!
Middleham Castle
The ruins of Middleham Castle tower impressively over the small market town of Middleham. The boyhood home of Richard III, construction on the building you can see today started in 1190, and ever since then the castle has stood sentinel over this bucolic part of Wensleydale.
Today, the castle is managed by English Heritage, and dogs are more than welcome to join you as you explore the site. It’s the largest remaining castle keep in the North of England and was a key location during the Wars of the Roses, with both Henry VI and Edward IV being held prisoner here at various times during the conflict.
Make sure to visit the town of Middleham too, which has several dog friendly pubs and miles of footpaths to explore. Our favourite walk is to start in Middleham and walk along the River Cover to the dog friendly Cover Bridge Inn for lunch – a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.
Or, head in the opposite direction for a stroll up to Middleham’s gallops. Racing is the foremost employer in the town and with more than a thousand racehorses based here, you’re practically guaranteed to spot a string making its way to or from daily exercise on the gallops.
Towton Battlefield
Palm Sunday in 1461 saw possibly the bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil. Fought in a snowstorm near the village of Towton, the battle was a turning point in the Wars of the Roses which saw the Yorkists emerge victorious and depose the Lancastrian king, Henry VI.
Visitors today would never guess that the fields at Towton were the scene of such carnage: the rolling countryside here is the embodiment of pastoral England. If not for the large memorial and information boards, you could spend the afternoon walking around the fields here and be none the wiser.
There is an excellent, easy to follow battlefield trail (6 km) which can be comfortably completed in a few hours. There’s a series of information panels which take you step by step, blow by blow through the evolution of the battle – at one point, you can almost hear the arrival of the Yorkist reinforcements charging down the hill towards you. This is a popular, but rarely busy local walk – mainly visited by locals rather than tourists.
For Countryside Explorers In North Yorkshire
Roseberry Topping
Roseberry Topping, also known as the Yorkshire Matterhorn, is a small but instantly recognisable hill in the very north of the county. At just 320 metres high, the ascent is steep in places but relatively short compared to other local hills, and it’s a popular first hill for many local children.
If you’re looking to dip your toe into hill climbing for the first time, Roseberry Topping is a great way to get the hiking bug. Navigation is straightforward and there’s an easy to follow path all the way to the top, where great views of the North York Moors await you.
The walk can be extended by incorporating a visit to Captain Cook’s monument, constructed to commemorate that the explorer James Cook grew up in the local village of Great Ayton. It’s thought that the young James Cook regularly climbed to the top of Roseberry Topping, and that this was what instilled his sense of adventure.
Time your visit to coincide with the annual display of bluebells which blanket the lower slopes of the hill, or arrive early to watch the sunrise from the summit. Your dog certainly won’t mind an early morning.
Malham Cove
Some places are synonymous with the Yorkshire Dales, and nowhere more so than Malham Cove. This enormous natural amphitheatre, made of a curving limestone cliff, towers 260 feet high and there’s nowhere in the Yorkshire Dales quite as iconic or as photographed.
Most people flock to the cove via the small wood which is home to Janet’s Foss waterfall: it’s a popular spot, so get there early if you want to have it to yourself. Even if you don’t fancy having a swim, your dog will love it!
From Janet’s Foss make your way to Gordale Scar, a hidden gorge with a waterfall tumbling down at its end. The path to the foot of the falls is flat and accessible as part of the national park’s miles without stiles programme. The adventurous can climb up the length of the waterfall, but most people choose to double back to climb up the steep hill onto the moor above the cove. Up here, it’s a landscape of twisted trees and lonely limestone scars.
You can detour further to visit Malham Tarn, or go directly to the limestone pavement above the cove (any Harry Potter fans might find this scene familiar). Marvel at both the pavement and the view: there’s nowhere quite this special.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks
Did you know that North Yorkshire has its very own version of the Three Peaks challenge? Lace up your walking boots and pack up your back pack to tackle the trio of hills summited on this epic 24 mile route, which climbs a hefty 5,000 feet of ascent. It’s not a challenge to be undertaken lightly, but for a fit walker (and their equally fit dog) it makes for a great day out in some of North Yorkshire’s most beautiful countryside.
Traditionally, the first peak on the route is Pen-y-Ghent, the smallest of the three and the only one which involves minor scrambling to get to the top (the fun kind rather than the scary kind). From here, it’s on to Whernside, North Yorkshire’s highest mountain, which has a surprisingly easy ascent compared to its two neighbours. Finally, when jelly legs are truly setting in and you’re really asking yourself why you decided to do this, you make your way up the final peak of Ingleborough.
Many people will have their own favourite of the three peaks, but for us, it’s Ingleborough. The view from the top is fantastic and the summit plateau is large enough that it rarely feels crowded. It’s well worth tackling on its own to fully appreciate how special this hill is in its own right: start in Clapham to incorporate a walk-by of Gaping Gill cave into your route.
