A grassy path winding through ancient oak trees in Nidderdale

DOGS WELCOME

Dog-friendly
Pateley Bridge

Pateley Bridge is exceptionally dog-friendly. The River Nidd, the open moors, and most of the businesses in town welcome dogs with open arms. Here is everything you need to know before you arrive.

On the lead and off it

Best walks for dogs around Pateley Bridge

A calm wooded stretch of the River Nidd reflecting the trees on the riverside path near Pateley Bridge

Riverside loop

Flat, off-lead meadows - 1.5 miles

The Recreation Ground car park is your starting point for the town's best dog walk. Follow the River Nidd downstream through open meadows - dogs can run off lead along most of this stretch. Completely flat and suitable for all dogs.

Off lead sectionsFlat1.5 miles45 min
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The twin stone towers of Yorke's Folly standing on the moorland above Nidderdale

Yorke's Folly

Leads on open moor - stunning views

Climb out of Bewerley to the twin towers of Yorke's Folly perched above the dale. Dogs need to be on leads once you reach the open moorland - there is usually ground-nesting wildlife. The views repay the effort for both of you.

Leads on moorlandModerate climb3 miles
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Calm blue water of Gouthwaite Reservoir reflecting the sky, with green wooded hills along the far shore

Gouthwaite Reservoir

Leads near water - flat track, 6 miles there and back

A peaceful flat track along the old railway line beside the reservoir. Keep dogs on leads near the water - this is an SSSI nature reserve with ground-nesting birds. Plenty of space on the track itself.

Leads near waterFlat track6 miles return
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A walker with a backpack heading down a dale path past a stone barn, with green hills rolling into the distance

Open moorland above the dale

Miles of access land - leads near open moorland

The moors above Pateley Bridge are open access land. Well-behaved dogs on leads where there are signs, off lead on open heather. Consult an OS map and park at Bewerley or Wath to access the higher ground.

Access landOpen spaceOS map recommended
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Dog-friendly days out

Every attraction below has its own guide and welcomes dogs. Click through for full details.

Fountains Abbey ruins rising above the Skell valley

Fountains Abbey

UNESCO World Heritage Site, 12 miles away

🐾Welcome on leads in most of the estate

Ancient millstone grit rock formations balanced on Yorkshire moorland at golden hour

Brimham Rocks

Extraordinary millstone grit formations on the moor

🐾Dogs welcome on leads throughout

The limestone walls of How Stean Gorge with metal walkways above the rushing beck

How Stean Gorge

Yorkshire's Little Switzerland

🐾Welcome on leads on the gorge walkways

The ruined priory at Bolton Abbey beside the River Wharfe

Bolton Abbey

Priory ruins, riverside walks and the famous Strid

🐾Welcome on leads across the estate

RHS Garden Harlow Carr with vibrant herbaceous borders and mature trees

RHS Garden Harlow Carr

58 acres in Harrogate with Bettys tearoom on site

🐾Dogs on leads welcome in most parts of the garden

The curved limestone cliff face of Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales

Malham Cove & Gordale Scar

Limestone drama and a Harry Potter filming location

🐾Welcome on leads, take care near the clifftop

The ruined arches of Rievaulx Abbey set in its wooded valley

Rievaulx Abbey & Helmsley

One of England's best-preserved Cistercian ruins

🐾Welcome on leads around the site

The Shambles, York's narrow medieval street of overhanging timber-framed buildings

York

A walled Roman and Viking city with a magnificent Minster

🐾Welcome in most outdoor areas, check individual attractions

The domed baroque facade of Castle Howard reflected in its lake

Castle Howard

The grand baroque house behind Brideshead Revisited

🐾Welcome on leads in the grounds and parkland, not inside the house

Skipton Castle medieval stone drum towers and gatehouse

Skipton

Medieval castle and great market

🐾Welcome on leads throughout the castle and town

Ripley Castle and its walled gardens near Harrogate

Ripley Castle

Home of the Ingilby family for over 700 years

🐾Welcome on leads in the grounds and deer park

Knaresborough Castle and the railway viaduct above the River Nidd gorge

Knaresborough

Castle ruins, a river gorge and a 17th-century cave

🐾Welcome in the town and on riverside walks

Mother Shipton's Cave and the Petrifying Well in riverside woodland at Knaresborough

Mother Shipton's Cave

England's oldest tourist attraction, open since 1630

🐾Welcome on leads in the grounds

Underground cave with glowing stalactites and stalagmites lit in amber and purple

Stump Cross Caverns

Half a million years underground

🐾Welcome in the car park and on the moor above, not inside the caves

Bettys Café Tea Rooms on the corner of Parliament Street in Harrogate town centre

Harrogate

Elegant spa town with Valley Gardens and the original Bettys

🐾Welcome across the Stray and most of the town centre

Thornton Force waterfall cascading into a pool in a limestone gorge

Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

Four waterfalls in two river gorges

🐾Dogs on leads welcome on the trail

The medieval towers of Bolton Castle rising above Wensleydale

Bolton Castle

The Wensleydale castle that once held Mary Queen of Scots

🐾Welcome on leads in the grounds

The River Ure tumbling over limestone steps at Aysgarth Falls in Wensleydale

Aysgarth Falls

Three tiers of waterfalls on the River Ure

🐾Welcome on leads on the riverside paths

The unrestored ruins of Jervaulx Abbey with sheep grazing among the stones

Jervaulx Abbey

An unrestored Cistercian ruin grazed by sheep

🐾Welcome on leads, sheep graze freely among the ruins

The Georgian facade and gardens of Newby Hall near Ripon

Newby Hall & Gardens

A Georgian house with a miniature railway

🐾Welcome on leads in the gardens, not inside the house

Himalayan Garden ornamental lake with pavilion reflected in still water

Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park

45-acre garden with sculpture near Grewelthorpe

🐾Dogs welcome on leads

Victorian brewery copper vessels inside Theakston Brewery Masham

Theakston Brewery, Masham

Brewing legends since 1827 - home of Old Peculier

🐾Welcome in the outdoor beer garden, not inside the bar

Copper brewing vessels inside Black Sheep Brewery in Masham

Black Sheep Brewery

Masham's other famous brewery, founded in 1992

🐾Welcome in the bar area

Vintage green heritage railway train passing through Wensleydale valley

Wensleydale Railway

Heritage railway through one of the finest dales

🐾Dogs welcome on all services

A steam locomotive crossing a wooded viaduct on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Steam trains from Pickering to Whitby via Hogsmeade

🐾Welcome on board and at stations

The 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct striding across Batty Moss beneath Whernside

Settle & Ribblehead Viaduct

A Dales market town and a Victorian railway icon

🐾Welcome in the town and on the viaduct footpaths

Kiplin Hall Jacobean house reflected in an ornamental lake in North Yorkshire

Kiplin Hall & Gardens

Jacobean house built by the founder of Maryland

🐾Welcome in the grounds and gardens on leads, not inside the house

Dalby Forest with tall conifers and birch trees in golden autumn light

Dalby Forest

World-class mountain biking and red squirrels

🐾Welcome throughout the forest on leads, off lead in designated areas

Limestone valley with stream and ancient woodland leading to Ingleborough Cave

Ingleborough Cave

Show cave near Clapham, Yorkshire Dales

🐾Welcome on the walk and at the tearoom, not permitted inside the cave

Micro pigs and pygmy goats in a paddock at Brimham Rocks Adventure Farm

Brimham Rocks Adventure Farm

Micro pigs, pygmy goats and soft play near Hartwith

🐾Welcome on leads in outdoor areas

The dam wall and open water of Scar House Reservoir at the head of Nidderdale

Scar House Reservoir

A vast Victorian reservoir at the head of the dale

🐾Welcome, please keep on leads near livestock

Stone cottages and dale views in upper Nidderdale near Middlesmoor

Middlesmoor, Lofthouse & Ramsgill

Three of the prettiest hamlets at the head of the dale

🐾Very welcome - this is prime walking country

The sweeping dry stone curves and spiral of the Coldstones Cut land art on Greenhow Hill

Coldstones Cut

Land art with 360-degree Dales views

🐾Welcome on leads - it's a free, open-air walk

Wading birds on the still water of Gouthwaite Reservoir in upper Nidderdale

Gouthwaite Reservoir

World-class birdwatching in the upper dale

🐾Welcome on leads, this is an SSSI nature reserve

Children paddling in the shallow, pebbly River Nidd by the Recreation Ground

River Nidd - paddling and picnics

The town's own paddling spot

🐾Dogs love this spot and can splash in the shallows too

Dog-friendly places to eat and drink

Dogs welcome at all of the following - always good to confirm on the day

The stone facade of The Crown Inn on the High Street, with hanging flower baskets and bunting
Pub

The Crown Inn

A 17th century coaching inn at the top of the High Street. Dogs welcome in the pub and the garden. Good ales and hearty food - a natural end point after a walk.

📍High Street, Pateley Bridge HG3 5JZ

The white-painted exterior of the Royal Oak pub in Pateley Bridge, with hanging Theakston signs, flower boxes and outdoor benches
Pub

The Royal Oak

A traditional dale pub welcoming dogs alongside their owners. Ask for the water bowl on arrival.

📍Pateley Bridge

A stone cafe building with a terrace, parasol and flowers in bloom, surrounded by trees by the River Nidd
Cafe

Wildings Riverside Cafe

Riverside setting right on the Nidd - outdoor seating where dogs are very welcome. Perfect after the riverside loop walk.

📍Riverside, Pateley Bridge

Two iced Cocoa Joe's drinks held against a wide blue-sky dale view in Nidderdale
Cafe

Cocoa Joe's

A small independent chocolate shop on the High Street, serving hot and cold chocolate drinks and coffee. A few tables inside, or take your drink out for a walk. Dogs are welcome.

📍Pateley Bridge

See our guide
The entrance to Talbot House with a planter of red, yellow and white tulips and an OPEN sign by the door
Cafe & rooms

Talbot House

A Georgian building on the High Street, with a tearoom and cafe. Dogs are welcome, both outside and at the tables inside.

📍High Street, Pateley Bridge

See our guide

Practical info

Paddling in the Nidd

The shallow, pebbly stretch of the River Nidd beside the Recreation Ground is the town's unofficial paddling spot. Dogs love it. The water is clean and the flow is gentle on most days in summer.

When leads are required

Keep dogs on leads on open moorland during nesting season (March to July) and near Gouthwaite Reservoir at all times. Most of the dale has clearly marked paths.

Nearest vets

Bishopton Vets, on the High Street in Pateley Bridge, is the local practice - it is not open at weekends. For 24-hour emergency cover, the nearest options are in Harrogate and Ripon.

Parking with dogs

The Showground Car Park (HG3 5LG) is the main car park and has green space nearby for a quick leg-stretch after the drive. The Recreation Ground car park (HG3 5LG) is right next to the river.

Plan your dog-friendly stay

Several holiday cottages and B&Bs in the dale welcome dogs. Book early for summer - dog-friendly places fill up fast.

Places to stayThings to do