Food & Drink
Dog-friendly pubs in the North York Moors
The moors are one of the best dog-walking landscapes in England, and the pubs know it. Here's where muddy paws are welcome, what to check before you go, and which walks end at the right door.
Almost every village pub on the Moors will take a well-behaved dog in the bar. The real questions are whether they take dogs where the food is served, whether there is water and a flagged floor, and whether you can get there without a car after a walk. This guide answers those, and pairs with our fuller North York Moors with dogs guide.
The rule of thumb
- Bar and snug: dogs almost always welcome, usually with a water bowl and a flagged or stone floor.
- Restaurant: often dogs-free, particularly at dining inns with carpeted rooms, phone ahead if you want a full sit-down meal.
- Beer gardens: the safest bet on a busy weekend, and no one minds wet fur.
- Rooms: many inns take dogs in specific bedrooms for a small charge; ask when booking rather than on arrival.
Walk-and-pub pairings that work
- Levisham, the Horseshoe Inn sits on the green at the top of a dead-end village. Walk up from Levisham station on the steam railway and the dog gets a proper hill before the bar.
- Thornton-le-Dale, a flat beck and field circuit from one of Yorkshire's prettiest villages, with several pubs and cafés around the market cross.
- Goathland, open sheep-grazed greens (leads essential), the Mallyan Spout waterfall walk, and pubs right on the village edge.
- Rosedale Abbey, an easy valley base with pubs on the green and the old ironstone railway line above for a longer leg-stretch.
- Dalby Forest, miles of forest tracks, then out to the A169 for the Fox & Rabbit at Lockton.
On the coast
Coastal villages are good dog territory out of season, but check beach restrictions: several beaches, including parts of Whitby and Scarborough, have dog bans or restricted zones from May to September. Robin Hood's Bay and Staithes have bars used to salty, sandy dogs coming off the Cleveland Way.
Moorland manners
- Leads on open access land from 1 March to 31 July for ground-nesting birds, curlew, lapwing and golden plover all nest in the heather.
- Leads near sheep and cattle all year; if cattle approach, let the dog off and walk away.
- Adders bask on sunny moorland paths in spring and summer, keep dogs on the track.
- Carry water: the high moor has very little shade and few becks on the tops.
Frequently asked questions
- Are dogs allowed in North York Moors pubs?
- Most village and moorland pubs allow dogs in the bar and in flagged or snug areas. Carpeted dining rooms and bedrooms are the usual exceptions, so ring ahead if you want to eat a full meal with your dog.
- Which walks end at a dog-friendly pub?
- Levisham (the Horseshoe on the green), Thornton-le-Dale, Goathland and Rosedale Abbey all have circular walks that finish within a few steps of a pub that takes dogs in the bar.
- Can dogs go on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway?
- Dogs are carried on NYMR services, which makes a train-out, walk-back day possible. Check the current policy and any charge on the railway's own site before travelling.
- Do I need to keep my dog on a lead on the moors?
- Yes in most places. Ground-nesting birds and sheep mean leads are required on open access land between 1 March and 31 July and near livestock at any time.
Dog policies change with new landlords, so a quick phone call still beats any list. More places to eat in the food and drink guide.