Dog friendly Yorkshire

Your guide to the best dog friendly places to stay, walks, days out and places to eat across Yorkshire – from the Moors and Dales to the coast

Yorkshire is the biggest county in England, and for dog owners, it might just be the finest. Two national parks – the wild, heather-covered North York Moors and the rolling, river-cut Yorkshire Dales – a dramatic coastline from Whitby to Saltburn, and some of England’s most beautiful market towns in between. This is a county where a dog can run across open moorland, paddle through dales becks, and finish the day in front of a pub fire with a biscuit under the table.

What makes Yorkshire so good is the variety. The Moors are all about big skies, purple heather and ancient woodland. The Dales are gentler – stone-walled valleys, wildflower meadows and waterfalls that tumble through limestone. The coast is something else entirely – towering cliffs, smugglers’ villages and wide sandy bays where dogs can run without a care. And then there’s York, Harrogate, Ripon and Richmond – proper places with proper pubs.

Whether you’re based near Whitby, exploring the Dales from Skipton, or walking the moors from a cottage in Rosedale Abbey, this page pulls it all together – places to stay, walks, pubs and days out – so you can plan your Yorkshire trip with your four-legged friend in one place.

Dog Friendly Places to Stay in Yorkshire

From grand country house hotels and group getaway farmhouses to moorland cottages and glamping pods – Handpicked places where dogs are part of the welcome

North Yorkshire has the lot – country house hotels with acres of private grounds, beautifully converted barns for large groups, cosy moorland cottages for two, and glamping pods tucked into the Dales. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend on the moors, a big birthday in a Yorkshire farmhouse, or a week on the coast with the whole family, there’s something here for every dog and every budget.

Hotels & Country Houses

Crathorne Hall Hotel is an Edwardian country house set in 15 acres of private grounds on the edge of the North York Moors. Built in 1906 and once a playground for royalty and socialites, it’s now a warm and welcoming hotel where dogs are very much part of the picture. The grounds alone are worth the stay – lawns, woodland and enough space for a proper leg-stretch before breakfast. A solid base for exploring both the Moors and the Yorkshire coast.

The Devonshire Arms Hotel sits on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park at Bolton Bridge, where dogs are welcomed with open arms and treats. This is a country house hotel that genuinely celebrates four-legged guests – with beautiful walks right from the doorstep along the River Wharfe and through the Bolton Abbey estate. A place to slow down, breathe in the Dales air, and let your dog explore to their heart’s content. The restaurant is worth a visit in its own right.

Group Getaways

If you’re planning a celebration, a family reunion or just a big weekend with friends and dogs, North Yorkshire has some of the best group accommodation in the country.

The Yard, Corner Farm and Westfield Granary are three beautifully converted properties at Grand Get-Togethers near Sherburn, between York and Scarborough. Each one sleeps 14-16 guests and welcomes up to six dogs – proper space for the whole gang. These are stylish, modern interiors behind original farmhouse character, with everything you need for a special get-together. For even larger groups, Bogg Hall Barn is the newest Grand Get-Togethers property – a stunning converted barn near Scarborough sleeping 22, with room for four dogs. An absolute showstopper for big celebrations.

The Long Barn at Town End Farm is tucked away in the pretty village of Appleton-le-Moors, right in the heart of the North York Moors. Seven ensuite bedrooms, spacious living areas and room for 14 guests and four dogs. The kind of place where everyone can spread out, the kids can run, and the dogs can explore the moors from the doorstep.

Moorland Cottages & Retreats

Near the village of Sleights, just outside Whitby, Unique Retreats is a collection of five dog friendly properties with panoramic views over the North York Moors and the Esk Valley. The Piggery is a 200-year-old former farmhouse sleeping six with room for four dogs. Cowslip Cottage and Ewelands House are comfortable family-sized cottages, also sleeping six. For couples, Cowslip Retreat and Ewelands Retreat are romantic hideaways for two. All five share those stunning moor and valley views, with the Yorkshire coast a short drive away.

The Knoll is a magical retreat in the quiet village of Rosedale Abbey, surrounded by peaceful North York Moors countryside. Newly renovated, sleeping four and welcoming two dogs, it’s the kind of place where you truly switch off. Rosedale Abbey sits in one of the prettiest valleys in the national park, with walks from the door in every direction.

Holiday Parks & Glamping

Long Ashes Park is a peaceful holiday park in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, set in the stunning Wharfedale Valley. The lodges are comfortable and well-equipped, with rugged Dales scenery and outstanding walks on the doorstep. For something cosier, the Woodland Pods at Long Ashes offer glamping with a little more comfort – perfect for couples who want the outdoors without the tent. The Gamekeeper’s Inn is on site too, so a dog friendly pub lunch is never far away.

Over on the Yorkshire coast, Humble Bee Farm Cottages are three beautifully restored farm buildings in the Yorkshire Wolds, close to Scarborough and the coast. If glamping is more your style, the Wigwam Lodges on the same farm offer spacious cabins with cosy interiors and idyllic outdoor spaces. Wide open Wolds countryside on one side, the coast on the other.

Dog Friendly Walks & Coast in Yorkshire

Open moorland, limestone dales, dramatic coastal villages and ancient woodland – the best places to explore with your dog in Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire has two national parks, a coastline of cliffs and fishing villages, and some of the finest walking country in England. The variety is what makes it special – heather moorland on the North York Moors, limestone scars and waterfalls in the Dales, ancient forest tucked into quiet valleys, and coastal paths with views that go on for miles. Dogs are welcome almost everywhere, though keep them on a lead near livestock on the open fells and in lambing season (typically March to May).

The Coast

Robin Hood’s Bay is one of the most picturesque fishing villages in England – a tumble of red-roofed cottages clinging to the clifftop, with a sandy beach at the bottom and rock pools at low tide. Dogs are welcome on the beach year-round. The cliff walk south to Ravenscar is spectacular – six miles along the coast path with views back over the bay. The old smuggling paths through the village are atmospheric, and several of the shops and cafes welcome dogs.

Runswick Bay was named Britain’s Beach of the Year by the Sunday Times in 2020, and it’s easy to see why. A crescent of golden sand beneath a charming cluster of cottages, with fossils to find, rock pools to explore, and enough space for a good run. Dogs are welcome year-round. Quieter than Robin Hood’s Bay and all the better for it.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea is a beautifully preserved Victorian seaside town with a long sandy beach, a cliff lift, and a pier. Dogs are welcome on the beach, and the promenade walk is a classic. There’s a lovely old-fashioned quality to Saltburn – the kind of place where you half expect to see a brass band on the bandstand.

Walks We Love

Keld to Muker is one of the Yorkshire Dales’ best-loved routes – and for good reason. The walk between these two tiny Swaledale villages takes you through wildflower hay meadows, past iconic stone barns and along the River Swale. The views are breathtaking, and the meadows in late spring are carpeted with buttercups. About four miles each way, with a choice of high-level or riverside paths.

Brimham Rocks is an extraordinary collection of rock formations on the Nidderdale moors – weird and wonderful shapes carved by nature over 320 million years. It’s a brilliant place to explore with dogs, scrambling around the rocks with panoramic views across the valley. National Trust, dogs on leads. Kids and dogs love it equally.

Fremington Edge dominates the landscape above the market town of Reeth in Swaledale – a three-mile limestone escarpment with far-reaching views across the dale. A proper walk for those who like to earn their views. The descent takes you through wildflower meadows and back into Reeth, where The Little Drummer Boy Cocina in nearby Richmond makes a worthy post-walk stop.

Boltby Forest is a dog walker’s dream – a quiet corner of the North York Moors that most tourists never find. Ancient woodland, dappled light, soft trails underfoot and the kind of peace that makes you want to keep it a secret. A brilliant alternative to the busier moor walks.

Swinton Estate sprawls over 20,000 acres of wild, windswept upland in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Heather moorland, woodland, parkland and the River Ure running through the middle. Dogs are welcome on the estate walks, and there’s enough here to keep you exploring for days.

Great Shunner Fell is the third highest summit in the Yorkshire Dales, and a proper fell walk. The route from Hawes follows a well-marked path through peat and heather to the summit cairn, where on a clear day you can see across to the Lake District. A rewarding climb for dogs and owners who like to get above it all.

More Walks Worth Knowing About

Malham Cove is one of the most dramatic natural features in the Dales – a 260-foot curved limestone cliff with a limestone pavement on top that looks like something from another planet. The walk from Malham village takes in Janet’s Foss waterfall, Gordale Scar gorge and the cove itself. Dogs on lead near livestock. Around five miles for the full loop.

Roseberry Topping is Yorkshire’s Matterhorn – a distinctive peak that rises sharply above the Cleveland Plain. The climb is steep but short, with views from the summit that stretch for miles. A favourite with local dog walkers and a brilliant morning walk. Captain Cook’s monument is nearby, and the bluebell displays in spring are glorious.

Bolton Abbey & The Strid – The ruined priory sits in a loop of the River Wharfe in the most beautiful setting imaginable. The riverside walks are spectacular, with off-lead areas through ancient oak woodland. The Strid – where the river forces itself through a narrow channel of rocks – is dramatic (and dangerous, so keep dogs well away from the edge). If you’re staying at The Devonshire Arms Hotel, you’re right on the doorstep.

Dog Friendly Pubs & Cafes in Yorkshire

Country inns, city coffee shops and Dales pubs where muddy paws are part of the furniture.

Yorkshire does pubs properly – stone floors, open fires, real ales and a dog bowl by the bar without anyone having to ask. From Dales village locals to Harrogate coffee shops and York street food, here are the places where your dog is as welcome as you are.

No35 Harrogate is a small, independently owned coffee shop where you’ll be greeted by quite possibly the cutest head of customer service we’ve ever met – Walter the Cockapoo. You’ll often find him sat at the window, ready to welcome passers-by and their furry friends. Great coffee, warm welcome, and a dog who loves meeting other dogs. What more could you want?

Spark:York is a vibrant collection of bars, street food stalls and independent shops in shipping containers in the heart of York. Originally a community project to support local retailers, it’s become a destination in its own right. Dogs are welcome throughout, and the open-air setting means plenty of space for four-legged friends while you eat your way around the stalls.

The Stone Trough Inn is tucked between York and the east coast at Kirkham Abbey, keeping its original features – open fires, exposed stone walls – and serving the kind of food that makes you want to stay all afternoon. Dogs are welcome, and the character and charm of the building make it a perfect stop on the way to or from the coast.

The Gamekeeper’s Inn was once a gamekeeper’s cottage and is now a wonderfully welcoming pub in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales at Long Ashes Park, Threshfield. Hearty homemade food, local ales, and a proper Dales atmosphere. If you’re staying at Long Ashes Park or the Woodland Pods, this is your local – and a very good one at that.

The Little Drummer Boy Cocina in Richmond is something a little different – North Yorkshire meets the Mediterranean in a beautiful setting just off the cobbled market place. If you’re looking for an alternative to the usual pub lunch, this cocina delivers. Dogs are welcome, and Richmond itself is one of the most attractive market towns in the Dales, with a ruined castle overlooking the River Swale.

For a special meal in a country house setting, The Devonshire Arms Hotel at Bolton Bridge has an excellent restaurant alongside its hotel. Dogs are welcome, and the combination of good food and Dales views is hard to beat.

Dog Friendly Days Out in Yorkshire

Ruined abbeys, stately homes and ancient forests – with honest dog policies so you know what to expect before you arrive.

Beyond the walks and the coast, North Yorkshire has some of England’s finest heritage sites and attractions – many of which welcome dogs. We’ve been honest about restrictions so you’re not disappointed when you arrive.

Fountains Abbey is one of the most famous ruins in Britain – a UNESCO World Heritage Site set in the stunning Studley Royal water gardens near Ripon. Dogs on leads are welcome in the deer park and along the riverside walks, though they cannot enter the formal water gardens or the abbey ruins themselves. The deer park alone offers a couple of hours of beautiful walking, and the combination of ancient ruins and landscaped grounds is genuinely special. Pack a picnic and make a day of it.

Castle Howard is baroque splendour on a grand scale, set in the heart of the Howardian Hills. Dogs on leads are welcome in the extensive grounds – gardens, parkland and woodland walks that could easily fill an afternoon. They can’t go inside the house, but the outdoor areas are magnificent. The approach along the avenue of trees, with the house appearing in the distance, is one of the great views in Yorkshire.

Whitby Abbey – Founded in 657 AD and perched on the clifftop above Whitby, these atmospheric Gothic ruins inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds. The 199 steps up from the town are part of the experience, and the views from the top – across the harbour, out to sea – are worth every one of them. Combine with a fish and chip lunch on the harbour and a walk along the beach.

Dalby Forest is over 3,000 hectares of forest in the North York Moors, with trails ranging from gentle half-mile strolls to challenging five-mile loops. Dogs are welcome on all trails. The Bridestones rock formations – strange mushroom-shaped rocks on the eastern edge – are worth seeking out. Dalby is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, so if you’re staying nearby, the stargazing is extraordinary.

Bolton Abbey – The ruins of the 12th-century priory sit in a sweeping bend of the River Wharfe, surrounded by woodland and moorland managed by the Devonshire Estate. Dogs on leads are welcome, with off-lead areas in the woodland. The riverside paths, the dramatic Strid, and the Valley of Desolation walk make this one of the finest days out in the Dales.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks – For experienced walkers, the 24-mile circuit of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough is one of Britain’s classic challenges. Dogs are welcome but need to be fit – it’s over 5,000 feet of total ascent. Each peak has its own character, and the views from all three are outstanding. Start from Horton-in-Ribblesdale for the traditional route.