5 dog friendly days out in Yorkshire
There’s no denying how suitable Yorkshire is when contemplating the best regions of England for a dog-friendly day-out. Think only of the Yorkshire Dales and the Peak District and you’ve got enough to convince most. However, here are some days out in Yorkshire that give a broader scope of the region while still showcasing its best assets.
Helmsley Walled Garden
This walled garden is open everyday from 10am – 5pm from the beginning of April until the end of October. In other words, it’s open Spring through Summer and is an excellent way to relish the seasonal beauty and absorb some Vitamin D. You’ll find the gardens in the North York Moors, at the start of the Cleveland Way National Trail, and it is the perfect spot for admirers of nature as well as dog-owners looking for a welcoming, relaxing spot to walk. Dogs are admitted everywhere – café included – but are required to stay on a lead the whole time. Water bowls are dotted around the facility but you don’t need to hunt them down, as a member of staff will kindly assist you with that if you ask.
Visiting with dogs:
Dogs on leads are welcome in all parts of the garden and are also welcome at The Vine House Café.
Website: Helmsley Walled Garden
Burton Agnes Manor House
This medieval manor house in East Yorkshire brandishes a rare and well-preserved Norman undercroft, a 15th century roof, and 17th and 18th century bricks. Visiting this historical site is an enriching experience for all – even those of the fury variety. Dogs are welcome to explore the architecturally-magnificent, 18th century Old Hall and join you afterwards for a cake and drink in the tea rooms, provided they remain on their leads. There are also, of course, impressive gardens that dogs can enjoy too, once their patience for their leashed-history-tour runs out. You can park behind the church, and the manor house has free entry – whereas there’s a cost for the gardens and hall.
Visiting with dogs:
All well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
Website: Burton Agnes Manor House
Brimham Rocks
Who needs Wiltshire’s south western Stonehenge, when you’ve got North Yorkshire’s Brimham Rocks, the (arguably precariously) balanced rocks on Brimham Moor. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a National Trust Property and like most of those, dogs are encouraged. Given the nature of the set-up though, it is mandatory they remain on their leads. There are a number of sweeping countryside walks and trails leading to and from the rocks, as well as activities hosted year-round, like photography classes and yoga sessions. This ecological hotspot is a must-see in the area and a great doggy-day-out in Yorkshire.
Visiting with dogs:
All well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
Website: Brimham Rocks
The Yorkshire Arboretum
Nothing screams “dog-friendly” like an expansive arboretum – especially one in the beautiful North Yorkshire. These 120 acre gardens in Malton, a joint enterprise between Castle Howard Estates and Royal Botanic Gardens in London’s Kew, are home to more than 6000 trees from around the world – ready to be both admired and sniffed by you and your dog (respectively). Though leads are required everywhere in the arboretum except the Gatehouse Field, these fields are still a whopping 11 acres so your dogs will hardly run out of room to stretch their legs. If you’d like your four-legged party-member to join you at the café, you’ll need to sit outside – but it’s so beautiful that you’d likely have opted for that anyway!
Visiting with dogs:
Dogs are very welcome in the grounds, they must be kept on a lead in designated areas and under close control at all other times.
Website: The Yorkshire Arboretum
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden are what people are talking about when they talk of something being “quintessentially English”. These charming English gardens, Ancient abbey ruins and fantastic water features have gallantly earned the title of World Heritage Site. Waste bins are scattered across the gardens as a combined message that your dog is of course welcome – but that you need to clean up after them. A reasonable enough request. They even have waste bags available before entering the grounds, to ensure you’re prepared. Water bowls can be borrowed from the visitor centre, West Gate and Studley admissions as well as Mill Cafe and Studley tea-room. Leads are required.
Visiting with dogs:
Dogs are welcome but please keep dogs on a short lead.
Website: Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
A trip to any of these gardens, manors and historical sites will tick all the boxes for a dog friendly day out in Yorkshire as well as provide you with some good-hearted fun, fresh air and a chance to get to know the area a little better. There’s a reason people keep coming back to these places.
Dog Friendly Cottages in Yorkshire
View all our dog friendly cottages in Yorkshire