Are dogs allowed in Dalby Forest?

Yes — dogs are welcome throughout Dalby Forest. Keep them under close control and on a lead near the car parks, play areas and any livestock.

Do I need to keep my dog on a lead on the moors?

Keep dogs on a lead around livestock, and on open moorland between March and July to protect ground-nesting birds. Elsewhere, well-controlled dogs can often be off-lead — but always follow local signs.

Are there dog-friendly pubs in the North York Moors?

Plenty. Many moorland inns and village pubs welcome dogs, often with water bowls and treats by the fire — it's worth calling ahead if you want to eat.

Plan Your Visit

The North York Moors with dogs

With over a thousand miles of footpaths, miles of open moor and forest, dog-friendly beaches and pubs that keep a water bowl by the fire, the North York Moors is one of England's great places for a holiday with your dog. Here's how to make the most of it — and a few local rules worth knowing.

A collie on a lead standing on a heather-lined moorland footpath in the North York Moors

Placeholder photograph — owner to replace with a real image.

Dog-friendly walks

Moor, forest and coast — take your pick. The Cleveland Way runs 109 miles across moorland and clifftop; Dalby Forest is a favourite for letting dogs stretch their legs on waymarked trails; and there are gentler walks around the villages and becks. Just remember the moors are working farmland (see below).

Dog-friendly beaches

The coast is a joy with a dog, but rules vary by beach and season. Runswick Bay and Robin Hood's Bay welcome dogs year-round, with plenty of sand at low tide; the main resort beaches at Whitby and Scarborough have seasonal restrictions between roughly May and September, so check the local signs. Sandsend and the quieter coves are good summer bets.

Dog-friendly pubs

You're rarely far from a welcoming pub — most of our recommended inns keep dogs happy by the fire, from the Fox & Rabbit and the Lion Inn to village locals like the Cayley Arms in Allerston. It's always worth a quick call ahead if you plan to eat.

Local rules & lambing

This is a living, working landscape. Keep dogs on a lead around livestock — especially during spring lambing — and on the open moor between March and July, when ground-nesting birds such as curlew and lapwing are raising their chicks. Clean up after your dog, stick to paths through farmland, and mind cattle grids and quiet moor roads. A little courtesy keeps the moors open to dogs.

Where to stay with your dog

Many of the area's cottages welcome dogs — see where to stay, including Allerston Cottage, a classic-car-themed base minutes from Dalby Forest.

Dog-friendly North York Moors FAQs

Are dogs allowed in Dalby Forest?: Yes — dogs are welcome throughout Dalby Forest. Keep them under close control and on a lead near the car parks, play areas and any livestock.
Which North York Moors beaches are dog-friendly all year?: Runswick Bay and Robin Hood's Bay are dog-friendly year-round. The main resort beaches at Whitby and Scarborough have seasonal dog restrictions in summer, so check local signs before you go.
Do I need to keep my dog on a lead on the moors?: Keep dogs on a lead around livestock, and on open moorland between March and July to protect ground-nesting birds. Elsewhere, well-controlled dogs can often be off-lead — but always follow local signs.
Are there dog-friendly pubs in the North York Moors?: Plenty. Many moorland inns and village pubs welcome dogs, often with water bowls and treats by the fire — it's worth calling ahead if you want to eat.