Yorkshire’s Best Dog Walking Spots
The variety of landscapes in God’s Own Country make it the ideal place to take your dog for a stroll this summer. From the vast open spaces of the Yorkshire Moors to the long, sandy beaches and rocky alcoves and cliff faces of the Yorkshire coastline, there’s eye candy aplenty in Britain’s largest county. That said, it can be hard knowing where the best places to go can be found, so we’ve put our heads together to come up with our favourite walks from the most beautiful locations in Yorkshire for you to explore this year.
Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire Coastline
Situated to the south of Whitby lies Robin Hood’s Bay, a former fishing village lost in time. Infamous in past centuries for smuggling and steeped in history dating back 3,000 years, there’s plenty to learn and discover. The land was once submerged undersea, making it now possible to find fossilised marine life from as long ago as 170 million years on the beach and around the bay.
Dogs are welcome throughout the bay, but the residents ask you to be considerate about their home and make sure your pet doesn’t foul their historic streets and ancient sands. Keeping an eye on your kids and pets while out and about may also be a good idea, as the cliffs around the bay are unfortunately unsafe to climb upon.
But for those hoping for even more adventures in the area surrounding Robin Hood’s Bay, with Whitby directly to the north along the coast, and the idyllic Falling Foss waterfall in Sneaton Forest to the west, there is certainly a whole host of walks you could fill a weekend with this summer.
Yorkshire Arboretum at Castle Howard, Howardian Hills
A gorgeous 120 acre forest featuring over 6,000 trees from around the globe, the Yorkshire Arboretum provides the opportunity to see rare trees alongside native species and wildlife in a stunning hub of parkland, forests and lakes in the grounds of Castle Howard.
And with the Howardian Hills surrounding the arboretum, an expanse of scenic farmland and extensive woodland that is deemed an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, walks can be as long or as short as you like.
Flamborough Head, East Riding / Yorkshire Wolds
Boasting an eight mile landmass that juts out into the sea is Flamborough Head in the East Riding of Yorkshire. With a picturesque lighthouse built in 1806 and breathtaking views of the sea and the coastline, the area is excellent for birdwatchers hoping to catch a glimpse of various seabirds such as Atlantic puffins and kittiwakes. The lucky may also spot seals hunting out at sea.
Ideal for letting your dog off the leash to run wild, Flamborough Head is one of the most untamed spots of coastline in England and surely not one to miss.
Ainthorpe, Danby Rigg and Little Fryup Dale, North Yorkshire Moors
With friendly pubs such as The Duke of Wellington in Danby and the Fox and Hounds in Ainthorpe to stop and rest at along the way, this trail provides the perfect taste of the moorland without tuckering out both yourself and your dog, all while taking in the dales, heathland and rolling farmland Yorkshire is famous for.
Coming back round to Ainthorpe over the Danby Rigg is perhaps the best part of this walk. Although Danby Rigg allows for spectacular views of the Yorkshire countryside, it is also a site of major prehistoric importance, featuring ancient monument remains from the bronze age.
Malham Tarn Archaeology Walk, Yorkshire Dales
Although you’ll be walking through areas with cattle and sheep and may need to keep your dog on a lead, the views would be well worth it. Malham Tarn has been used by humans since the mesolithic period, or 7,000 to 12,000 years ago, evidence of which can still be seen today across the land.
Touch upon the shores of the Malham Tarn lake, the ancient site of a Roman camp, and the old Monk’s Road that links the tarn to Fountains Abbey near Ripon, with the tarn once stocked by the monks as a fishery. We recommend packing a picnic for the day so you can truly take in the awesome views about Malham Tarn.
Jaycliffe Pets offer quality kennels, cattery, and grooming services to the Rotherham area and beyond. To discuss appointments for grooming your dog after your adventures in the Yorkshire countryside this summer, please contact our friendly team today.