Dog-Friendly Yorkshire

A guide to walks, beaches, pubs, and days out with your dog in the East Riding and Yorkshire Wolds.

East Yorkshire is excellent dog country. Miles of quiet footpaths cross the Wolds, the coast offers beaches where dogs can run freely, and many of the area's pubs welcome four-legged visitors. Yorkshire Wolds Cottage is happy to host well-behaved dogs, and the surrounding farmland provides walking straight from the door. Here's our guide to making the most of a dog-friendly holiday in the area.

Walking from the Cottage

The cottage sits on a working farm with footpaths and bridleways leading out across the Wolds in several directions. You can walk for miles without encountering a road. The terrain is rolling arable farmland — fields, hedgerows, and open hilltops — with good going underfoot in dry conditions and predictably muddy patches after rain.

Dogs must be kept on leads within the farmyard and near any livestock you encounter on the surrounding land. Once you're on open paths away from animals, most dogs can run free, though you should be aware of ground-nesting birds between March and July. Skylarks and lapwings nest on the arable fields, and disturbing them is both illegal and unkind.

The circular routes described in our walking guide are all suitable for dogs. The Holme-on-the-Wolds to Lund route (5 miles) is a particular favourite with dog-walking guests — gentle terrain, few road sections, and no stiles that large dogs struggle with.

Dog-Friendly Beaches

Fraisthorpe Beach

Fraisthorpe, between Bridlington and Barmston, is the best dog-friendly beach within easy reach of the cottage. Dogs are allowed year-round without restrictions. The beach is wide, sandy, and rarely crowded — your dog can run, splash, and generally enjoy being a dog without worrying about seasonal bans. Access is via a small car park (free) and a short walk across the dunes. About 25 minutes' drive from the cottage.

Bridlington North Beach

Bridlington's north beach has a dog ban in the main bathing area during summer months (roughly May to September). Outside this period, dogs are welcome. The south beach and harbour area tend to be more relaxed about dogs year-round. Check local signage for current restrictions.

Hornsea Beach

Hornsea allows dogs on sections of the beach away from the main seafront area. The long stretch of beach running south towards Mappleton is generally dog-friendly and uncrowded. About 30 minutes from the cottage.

Spurn Point

Dogs on leads are welcome on the Spurn National Nature Reserve. The walk along the narrow spit of land jutting into the Humber is unlike anything else in the region. It's about 50 minutes' drive from the cottage, so best combined with other activities for a full day out.

Dog-Friendly Pubs

East Yorkshire's country pubs are generally welcoming to dogs, particularly in bar areas and beer gardens. Here are some reliable options near the cottage:

• The Pipe and Glass, South Dalton: Dogs welcome in the bar area. This Michelin-starred pub is worth visiting for the food alone, and it's good to know your dog can join you (in the bar rather than the restaurant)
• The Tiger Inn, Beverley: A proper town pub that welcomes dogs in the bar. Good beer, straightforward food
• The Goodmanham Arms, Goodmanham: A small village pub near the Wolds Way trail. Dogs welcome. Good for a stop mid-walk
• The Wolds Inn, Huggate: Another Wolds village pub on the walking routes. Dogs allowed in the bar
• The Star Inn, Sancton: Dog-friendly country pub with good food and a pleasant garden

Always check in advance if you're planning to eat, as some pubs restrict dogs to bar areas while food is served in a separate dining room.

Dog-Friendly Attractions

Most outdoor attractions in the area welcome dogs on leads. Specific places worth noting:

• Burton Agnes Hall gardens: Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds (though not inside the house)
• Beverley Westwood: 600 acres of common pasture at the edge of Beverley. Dogs should be under close control around the grazing cattle
• Flamborough Head: The clifftop paths are excellent for dogs. Keep them on leads near the cliff edges and during the seabird nesting season
• Humber Bridge Country Park: Woodland and riverside walks, all dog-friendly on leads

Practical Tips for Dog Owners

• Livestock: The Wolds are farming country. Always keep your dog on a lead near sheep, cattle, and particularly during lambing season (spring). If cattle approach aggressively, release your dog — it can outrun them, but you can't
• Ticks: Check your dog after walks through long grass, especially in spring and summer. Ticks are present in the Wolds
• Water: Carry water for your dog on longer walks. There are few streams on the high chalk Wolds
• Poo bags: Carry them, use them. The countryside code applies to dogs too
• At the cottage: We ask that dogs are kept off furniture and out of the bedrooms. A towel for drying muddy paws is useful. There's an outside tap for washing off particularly mucky dogs

For general walking information, see our Yorkshire Wolds walking guide. To book the cottage for a dog-friendly break, get in touch.