Dog-friendly things to do in Yorkshire

The dramatic cliffs of Flamborough Head are among the most spectacular sites on the British coastline. With a coastal path extending from Bridlington to Flamborough Cliffs, it’s a walkers’ and photographers’ paradise. 

The whole route is six miles, so a round trip would be an ambitious 12 in total. However, even a short stroll with your pet will offer stunning ocean views and famous sights like the “drinking dinosaur” and the hidden sandy cove of North Landing. 

If you’re staying at any of Haven’s three Filey holiday parks, you have a perfect dog-friendly beach on your doorstep. Stretching south from Filey, the beach merges with Speeton Beach to the south, the golden sand extending for five miles. 

Four-legged visitors are allowed to run free everywhere except a section of the main beach during the summer season. Check local signage for details.  

As a popular holiday destination, Filey has plenty of cafes, restaurants, and pubs where you can grab lunch, and your pooch may be catered for too. 

This coastal nature reserve near Flamborough covers 148 acres, including chalk cliffs, woodland, and the historic dyke itself, which runs for three miles and is thought to be Dark Ages in origin. 

There’s a car park, and Victorian landscaped features at the start of the trail, which give way to native and exotic woodland on either side of the ravine. Bluebells, butterflies and perhaps a spring cuckoo can be spotted here. Dogs will love exploring but do keep them on the lead to protect the local wildlife. 

The towpath at Pocklington Canal offers a gentler walk than some of the hillier Dales. The Yorkshire canal network dates to the early 19th century and was mostly used for agricultural transport.  

Currently being restored as a working waterway, the canal provides a scenic, seven-mile walk between Pocklington and East Cottingwith, connecting with the River Derwent. Treelined towpaths and humpbacked bridges characterise this very dog-friendly route. 

A little northwest of the seaside town of Whitby is the quiet coastal hamlet of Sandsend. Mixing quaint village charm with an unspoilt sandy beach, Sandsend is well worth a visit, and at low tide you can walk to it along the beach from Whitby. 

There’s a beachfront café, and a gentle stream to follow through green hillsides dotted with attractive stone cottages. 

Whitby was made famous by local author Bram Stoker, who set some of his novel “Dracula” here. The town remains wonderfully gothic, with its ruined Abbey, 199 stone steps, and scenic harbour.  

Many of the pubs and cafes here are dog-friendly, so make a day of it.

Stretching for 1.5 miles south from Bridlington to Hornsea are the underrated charms of Fraisethorpe Beach. Less developed than many sandy strips, Fraisethorpe is ideal for dogs who love to run, sea swimmers, and sunbathers who crave quietude. 

There is a pay and display car park, toilets and a café, and the rest is up to you. Both Bridlington and Hornsea have their charms too, so why not walk to one or the other town for lunch. Dogs can run free here, with no seasonal restrictions.

Stretching over the Yorkshire Moors for a huge 109 miles, the Cleveland Way takes in stunning coastline and purple, heather covered hillsides. The trail begins at Filey, runs down the coast to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, then runs inland over the moors to Helmsley. 

Both the coastal stretch and inland sections are recommended, and the seaside part of the Way includes Scarborough and the delightful fishing village of Robin Hood Bay. You’ll want to drive to the latter, however, as it’s 23 miles along the route. 

The whole stretch is dog-friendly, with long sections where you can let the dog off the lead to run free and sniff the verges.

Another of Yorkshire’s quaint villages worth a daytrip is Thornton-le-Dale, whose weeping willows and thatched cottages are chocolate box pretty. This is appropriate, it turns out, since there’s a Belgian chocolate company based here too, and a local ice cream producer, so don’t expect to stick to your diet! 

Thornton is a lovely place to visit with antique shops and pubs with beer gardens amongst other things. There’s a village nature trail to wander, and a riverside path, but do keep your dog on the lead throughout your visit.