Walks and attractions
North York Moors Railway, Pickering, YO18 7AJ – Whitby, YO21 1YN
Dogs are allowed except on Dining trains and some special events. The railway runs from Whitby to Pickering. Goathland featured as Hogsmeade station in the first Harry Potter film and as Aidensfield in Heartbeat. There are beautiful walks from the stations so it’s worth breaking your journey to enjoy the countryside.
Beaches
Cayton Bay Beach, YO11 3NR
A gorgeous sandy beach which is dog friendly all year. Very steep to get down to – the easiest way is to take the path to Lucy’s beach shack – it’s still steep but less so than the signposted route. Stop for a hot drink and bacon roll on the way down or on the way back and in the meantime, let the dogs enjoy the acres of sand and sea. We visited on a Monday in October and there were very few people and most of them were dog walkers.
Saltburn by-the-Sea, TS12 1JS
There is a dog friendly area all year round and a stunning funicular railway to get you down to the beach.
Scarborough beach, YO11 1NT
A massive beach, some of which (at North Bay) is dog friendly all year. The rest is restricted during the summer months.
Accommodation
Camp sites
Cayton Village, Scarborough, YO11 3NN
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-sites/england/yorkshire/north-yorkshire/Cayton-Village-Club-Site/
Caravan and Motorhome site
A large (201 pitches) site about a mile from Cayton Bay beach which is well set out with level pitches.
There are two dogs walks on site – a small one which is enclosed and a longer one where dogs have to be kept on the lead.
Lovely clean modern facilities. We visited in October when the site was quiet but I imagine it gets very busy in the summer.
Knaresborough, HG5 9HH
Caravan and Motorhome club
A well set out site of 79 pitches with a lovely enclosed dog field – grass in the middle, surrounded by a small wooded area.
North York Moors club site, Whitby, YO22 5JE
Caravan and Motorhome club
A beautiful site set in woods on the moor but with no toilet or showers. Plenty of places to walk the dogs.
Cool K9 (previously known as Oskada Park), Sherburn, Malton, YO17 8QN
http://www.coolk9.uk/index.htm
A dog adventure park which also has facilities for camping. The site is an adult only, dog friendly site which is double gated so once on the site, dogs can roam freely. In addition to roaming around the camping area, there is also a very large field with agility equipment and a stream for the dogs to enjoy.
We visited for a Golden Retriever GB weekend camping trip at the beginning of October 2021 and it was fantastic. The facilities, which includes a dog wash were modern and clean. Dogs are allowed everywhere except in the toilets and the lounge has toys and a ball pit for them to enjoy if it is wet or while their owners are enjoying a chat with others on the site.
The prime focus of this site is the enjoyment of the dogs and I just wish it was closer to us, as if it was, we would be regular visitors.
Self catering
Canal Cottage, Kildwick, near Skipton
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/42152359?source_impression_id=p3_1737828696_P3NbTJMlhwg6T75O
Really well equipped cottage right on the Leeds and Liverpool canal. Beautifully set out with a welcome basket for humans and dogs. The owners are incredibly friendly and helpful and there is a wealth of information available on the surrounding area.
Ingleby Manor, TS9 6RB
http://www.inglebymanor.co.uk/
A historic manor house set in gorgeous grounds. The gun room which sleeps 2 in a king size bed allows dogs with prior agreement.
Easy access from here to the North York Moors and the coast.
Leeds – Benedict narrow boat, Leeds dock
Airbnb
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/48796482?source_impression_id=p3_1737828819_P3re62zRUdMi6ZkT
For a unique experience, how about a narrow boat in the centre of Leeds? Benedict is a beautifully appointed boat which is dog friendly moored in Leeds dock and with a grass area and small enclosed dog park (locked at night) nearby.
Cafes and pubs
Leeds – Bill’s restaurant, LS1 6JL
bills-website.co.uk
A dog friendly restaurant in the centre of Leeds (there is an NCP car park very close to the restaurant which is convenient, if rather expensive).
The menu was eclectic and the staff were very friendly and welcoming
Skipton – Kibble Bakery, BD23 1HY
Top of my list for a dog friendly cafe. They have a separate dog menu and were totally unphased when Morwenna pulled her Christmas pudding loaf off the table and on to the floor, inevitably leaving crumbs all over the place.
Skipton is a traditional Yorkshire town – just the right size to potter around and with a canal running through it for an enjoyable walk.
Finally managed to get back to Kibble bakery in October 2022 which confirmed my feeling that it is the most dog friendly cafe that I have been to. We treated Morwenna and Jenna to “Don’t go bacon my heart” pupcakes and CapPawcchino on the first day and cheesy donuts on the second. The human coffee and selection of cakes is also really good.
Skipton – The White Lion, Kildwick, BD20 9BH
Lovely pub, 2 minutes walk from Canal Cottage (see self catering places) which welcomes dogs and has a good selection of food.
Goldies on tour 