Make your best friend feel part of the family | Dog friendly Yorkshire
by Northern Life
We are a nation of animal lovers in the UK and it is estimated that around 24% of households currently have at least one dog. They become part of the family and it is hard to leave them
behind when you travel on holiday – not least because kennelling costs can be extremely expensive!
Fortunately, there are lots of options for taking them with you and while you can get a pet passport to take them abroad, it’s a lot easier to head to a self-catering cottage in the UK.
Gorgeous Cottages have around 80 dog-friendly cottages throughout Yorkshire. Take a look at some of the best places to visit along with some top tips for taking your dog on holiday…
Dog friendly Yorkshire
There are plenty of dog-friendly options in Yorkshire. From pubs to beaches, more places than ever before will welcome your four-legged friend with open arms (and a bowl of fresh water). On top of that there’s lots of scenic walks – after all there are two national parks to choose from (the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors) as well as the gentle rolling hills of the Yorkshire Wolds.
Dog-friendly pubs and restaurants
THE KINGS ARMS, REETH
The Kings Arms looks over the village green in the pretty Dales village of Reeth. They supply a special menu for dogs. They can even enjoy a Doggie Beer by the Inglenook fire while you sup on a cask ale!
THE WENSLEYDALE HEIFER, WEST WITTON
A renowned restaurant (booking is advised) and bar which has a gorgeous position in West Witton looking out over Penhill in the Dales. The bar area and snug are dog friendly and they do a fabulous lobster.
THE CROWN INN, HUTTON-LE-HOLE
You can combine a visit to The Crown Inn with the dog-friendly open-air Ryedale Folk Museum as they are both in the chocolate-box village of Hutton-le-Hole (also a great place for a walk).
THE GRAPES, SLINGSBY
This fabulous Grade II listed Georgian Inn does a great Sunday lunch but you may have to fight your dog for a spot by the wood-burning fire!
THE BLUE LION, EAST WITTON
You and your doggie will get a warm welcome at this lovely 18th century Inn that offers a great selection of locally sourced food.
A walk on the beach
One of my favourite things about Yorkshire is the miles and miles of magnificent coastline along the edge of the North York Moors and there are plenty of beaches where dogs can play, paddle and run to their hearts content! Here are some of our favourites to try:
ROBIN HOOD’S BAY
There’s lot of dog-friendly pubs to call in at Robin Hood’s Bay (including The Bay Hotel that looks out over the sea). Meander down the maze of streets then go for a wander on the beach…
SANDSEND
This sandy beach is a great choice for fossil hunting and there’s lot to explore in this pretty fishing village. Lots of dog-friendly places to stop for a bite including the Sandsend Café on
the seafront.
STAITHES
Kids will love a trip to Staithes as it is used in the CBBC series Old Jack’s Boat. The beach itself is sheltered by the harbour and a great choice for a walk with your dog.
Other places to try:
CASTLE HOWARD
You’ll have to keep your dog on a lead but there are some very pretty walks to try around the impressive grounds of Castle Howard (please note dogs are not permitted in the house).
THORP PERROW ARBORETUM
There are gorgeous lakes, plants and trees at Thorp Perrow Arboretum near Bedale. Take your doggie on a Tree Trail (they must be kept on a lead) and see how many varieties you can spot.
HELMSLEY CASTLE
Delve into the past with a visit to Helmsley Castle then browse the many shops, pubs and tea rooms in this charming North York Moors town. Many of them are dog-friendly so your pooch can come in too!
Travel Tips
A bit of preparation before you travel can help make your holiday go smoothly. Make sure you book a property that is suitable for your needs and create a list of everything you’ll need. Regular stops during travel are a must so your dog can have a drink, stretch their legs (and
do anything else they need to!)
Make the cottage a home from home
Your dog may feel a bit unsettled at travelling to a new place so to minimise this bring along familiar items such as toys, blankets and even their own bed. Try and stick to their usual routine of feed and let them explore (where appropriate) and familiarise themselves with their environment.
Safety first
Make sure you keep your dog safe at all times – they are somewhere new and unfamiliar so you don’t want them wandering off and getting lost. Make sure they are micro-chipped just in case and if you do let them off the lead during a walk make sure there are no dangers such as cliff edges, wild animals or fast-running streams about!
Ensure your dog is well trained
It is worth investing in some dogtraining to make sure your pet can at least follow basic commands such as sit, stay and leave it while on your break. Make sure you are the one in
control and not the dog!
Some dog-friendly cottages to try…
MANOR GRANGE
This lovely one-bedroom cottage comes with a large enclosed garden and views across open Wensleydale countryside
WEST STEADING
With a setting right in the middle of the North York Moors there is no shortage of scenic walks to try from this two bedroom cottage. Better still there’s a dog-friendly pub right over
the road.
LOW BURN COTTAGE
There’s lots of space for doggies at this four bedroom property in the Howardian Hills. It’s just down the road from Castle Howard and dogs are welcome in the village pub.
WEST ACRE
This fabulous six bedroom property sleeps up to 14 so is perfect for a large family gathering, with dogs invited too!
TOBY’S COTTAGE
Not only does this three bedroom stone cottage have a large enclosed garden but it’s in Slingsby – home to dog-friendly The Grapes.
You can see the full range of 80 dog friendly cottages at gorgeouscottages.com or call
01642 263 249 to speak to the team!
