Dog-friendly York: things to do in York with a dog

York is a city steeped in Roman, Viking and medieval history, and it’s inspired countless works of literature and film - Harry Potter fans, hello! 

Whether you’re house sitting in York or you’re keen to share the city’s sites with your York pet sitter, explore our ultimate guide to dog-friendly York.

Below find a list of the dog-friendly restaurants York has to offer, as well as cafes, pubs, dog-friendly walks and tourist attractions.

Dog-friendly restaurants York

A day out in dog-friendly York isn’t complete without relaxing in one of the city’s dog-friendly restaurants. Take a look at our list of the best-reviewed dog-friendly restaurants York has to offer to get planning your day out.

The Whippet Inn

Like many of the dog-friendly restaurants York has to offer, The Whippet Inn has a seriously cosy vibe. With a menu focussed on Yorkshire beef, it’s a meat-lover’s paradise. 

Location: 15 North St, York YO1 6JD

Ate O'Clock

A day out in dog-friendly York isn’t complete without a meal accompanied by your furry friend. And if European cuisine is your thing, head to Ate O’Clock - one of the best-reviewed restaurants in the city.

Location: 13a High Ousegate, York YO1 8RZ

Valhalla

If you’re looking for dog-friendly places to eat in York that really play on the city’s Viking history, look no further than Valhalla. Stop by for mead or ale and tuck into a meat, fish or cheese board.

Location: 4 Patrick Pool, York YO1 8BB

Pavement Vaults

If grilled meat, burgers and craft beers are more your thing, head to this modern-style restaurant that naturally welcomes dogs with open arms.

Location: 2 Piccadilly, York YO1 9QF

Stonegate Yard

Want a taste of York’s Georgian history? Take a step back in time, into yet another era that’s left its mark on York to this dog-friendly restaurant.

Location: 8, 10 Little Stonegate, York YO1 8AX

Ye Olde Starre Inne

If history is your thing and a cosy restaurant with your pooch pal by your side sounds like your idea of heaven, head to Ye Olde Starre Inn for cask ales and traditional comfort food.

Location: 40 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS

Forest

After a dog-friendly place where you can live out a quintessentially-English afternoon, and sip on tea from an actual tea cup? Opt for Forest’s afternoon tea, or go for traditional comfort food in the evening.

Location: 54 Low Petergate, York YO1 7HZ

Fancy Hank's Bar & Kitchen

Stop by for a taste of British seafood, steaks and a great selection of cocktails.

Location: 39 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LS

The Star Inn The City

Enjoy this European restaurant’s cosy vibe, or sit outdoors on the terrace overlooking the river.

Location: Lendal Engine House, Museum St, York YO1 7DR

Ambiente Tapas Goodramgate

Want to branch out from traditional pub food? Have a taste of the continent at Ambiente Tapas, which is dog-friendly, naturally.

Location: 14 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LQ

Dog-friendly pubs in York

You won’t be short of choice when it comes to the dog-friendly pubs York has to offer. 

They’re a great place to get a taste of York’s history and ghost stories, while many serve up traditional pub grub along with cask ales, mead and wine.

• Shambles Tavern. 44 Shambles, York YO1 7LX
• The Rose and Crown. 13 Lawrence St, York YO10 3BP
• The Cross Keys. 34 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF
• The Old White Swan. 80 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF
• Winning Post. 127-129 Bishopthorpe Rd, York YO23 1NZ
• The Ackhorne. 9 St Martin's Ln, York YO1 6LR
• Minster Inn. 24 Marygate, York YO30 7BH
• Three Legged Mare. 15 High Petergate, York YO1 7EN
• Eagle & Child. 9 High Petergate, York YO1 7EN
• The Hop. 11-12 Fossgate, York YO1 9TA
• The Golden Slipper. 20 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LG
• Harkers. 1 St. Helen’s Square, York YO1 8QN
• Golden Fleece. 16 Pavement, York YO1 9UP
• The Punch Bowl.7 Stonegate, York YO1 8AN

Dog-friendly cafes in York

There’s no better way to start your day with your four-legged friend than walkies and a stop at one of the dog-friendly coffee shops York has to offer. Make a note of the cafes below to make sure you’re stopping by somewhere that welcomes dogs.

Drift-In

Stop for a bite to eat at this dog-friendly York cafe that sits right in the heart of the city.

Location: 1-3 Nessgate, York YO1 9NP

Plush Café

Like many of the dog-friendly cafes York has to offer, this spot offers up not only coffee and tea, but also an eclectic menu for breakfast and lunch.

Location: 6 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS

Partisan

Stop by this pet-friendly cafe to choose from scrummy baked goods and an all-day breakfast menu.

Location: 112 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX

The Perky Peacock

Ever had coffee in a Medieval tower before? Only in dog-friendly York - check out The Perky Peacock for a truly unique breakfast experience.

Location: Barker Tower, North St, York YO1 6BE

FortyFive Vinyl Café

If you’re a music lover, head to this unique, dog-friendly cafe in York’s city centre for a spot where the tunes are as good as the toasties.

Location: 29 Micklegate, York YO1 6JH

Bison Coffee House

If you take your coffee seriously, walk out of the bustling city centre ever so slightly - no more than 20 minutes - and stop by Bison Coffee House with your furry friend.

Location: 17 Heslington Rd, York YO10 5AR

Bruks

On the lookout for an unfussy, traditional English cafe? Stop by Bruks for a full English breakfast or a bacon sarnie.

Location: 1 Peter Ln, York YO1 8SW

Gatehouse Coffee

Head to this stylish, stone-clad York coffee shop for a date with your furry best friend and enjoy fresh pastries, espresso and sandwiches.

Location: Walmgate Bar, Walmgate, York YO10 2UB

Dog-friendly activities in York

Want to experience dog-friendly York, outside of restaurants, pubs and cafes? Take a look below for dog-friendly things to do in York to help you plan the perfect day out with your pooch pal.

Explore the Shambles

If you’re house sitting in York and you’re new to the city, the Shambles is a must visit. Arguably the most iconic spot in York, find medieval buildings that date back to the 14th century on this street. Said to be the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, the street is steeped in both medieval and modern history.

Location: The Shambles, York

Go on a kitty hunt

Whether you’re house sitting in York or you simply want to be a tourist in your own city, why not join a guided tour? On the kitty hunt, you’ll be led around the city, searching for its 13 feline statues, all while learning all about the area’s history and culture. Naturally, dogs are allowed on the tour, so it makes for a perfect dog-friendly experience and exercise for your four-legged friend.

Location: 1 Museum Street, North Yorkshire, YO17DT

Visit Yorkshire Air Museum

Interested in British military history, and want to know where the dog-friendly places in York are? Head to Yorkshire Air Museum to learn about the incredible air crafts used, and the people who built them. Dogs are welcome on a lead throughout the site, and in the cafe.

Location: Yorkshire Air Museum, Halifax Way, Elvington, York, YO41 4AU

Take a ghost tour

Think you’ve got the stomach for a ghost story or three, and after dog-friendly things to do in York that’ll send a chill up your spine? Find one of the city’s many dog-friendly ghost tours - like the Deathly Dark Tours - to hear about the city’s history and its previous residents.

Location: 5/6 King's Court, York YO1 7LD

Take a city sightseeing bus tour

Of all the dog-friendly places York has to offer, did you think you’d end up on a bus? Well many of the city’s bus tours are dog-friendly. So, why not sit on the top deck and learn about the city’s attractions with your pooch pal by your side?

Location: You can hop on and off at many points around the city, including:

• Exhibition Square
• Gilly Gate
• Monk Bar
• Clifford’s Tower

Visit Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate

Step away from York’s bustling streets to the Holy Trinity Church tucked behind - a Grade I listed building. Well-behaved dogs are welcome inside the church and in the grounds, so head over to take a glimpse at York’s medieval culture.

Location: Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF

Take a city cruise

City cruises are a great way to experience any city - cruise along the River Ouse to learn about local history and culture with your four-legged friend by your side. 

Location: King's Staith Landing, York, YO1 9SN

Watch a film at City Screen Picturehouse

Need to take cover from the rain, but want to get out of the house with your furry companion? Find a dog-friendly screening at York’s cinema, the City Screen Picturehouse.

Location: 13-17 Coney St, York YO1 9QL

Dog-friendly walks in York

When planning a day out with your canine companion, try to include a walk here and there to let your pup run off some energy before settling down in a cosy cafe or pub. Make a note of the dog-friendly walks York has to offer below, and enjoy some fresh air with your furry pal.

Hob Moor

If you need to get out of dog-friendly York’s city centre, head out to Hob Moor nature reserve - the perfect spot to get some fresh air with your four-legged friends. Just be sure to keep your pooch on a lead, as Hob Moor is also home to cattle.

Location: 13 Kingsway W, Acomb, York YO24 4RD

Knavesmire Park and Garden

Enjoy the open space of Knavesmire Park and Garden to get some fresh air with your furry friend, and meet other pet lovers alike. And like many dog-friendly places in York, Knavesmire has a dark history. The spot was once York Gallows, and Dick Turpin met his grim fate here.

Location: Knavesmire Rd, York

Walk the Castle Howard grounds

Just 15 miles north of York city centre sits Castle Howard - an English country house that’s been in the Howard family for over 300 years. Dogs are welcome on a lead in the outdoor seating areas of the ground’s cafes, as well as the coffee shop, farm shop, Fitzroy Cafe, Boathouse Cafe and Courtyard Cafe. Dogs aren’t allowed inside the castle itself, but if the sun is shining, a visit to the ground’s cafes makes for a perfect dog-friendly day out.

Location: Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA

Beningbrough Hall and Gardens

Ever been to a Baroque mansion? Visit Beningbrough Hall and Gardens with your furry friend - they’re welcome in the park and gardens, as well as a selection of designated tables at the rear end of the restaurant.

Location: Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens, York YO30 1DD

Walk the city walls

Some of the best things in life are free, and the same can be said for the 2-hour walk around York’s city walls. As the longest town walls in England, get your walking trainers and treats at the ready!

Location:York YO1 7LJ

York dog parks

As well as historic parks and gardens, York certainly isn’t short of dog parks, specifically designed for our pooch pals to run free and enjoy the open air. Make a note of the York dog parks below when planning a day out with your furry friend to make sure they’ve let off steam before relaxing in one of York’s dog-friendly restaurants or pubs.

• York dog park. Back Ln, Knapton, York YO26 6QJ
• Golden Paws Ranch Fully Enclosed Dog Park. Wigginton Rd, York YO32 2RH
• Elementary Dog Park. Appleton Rd, York YO23 2XA
• Paw Park Sand Hutton. Low Moor Farm, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LH
• Barmby Fields - Dog Walking Field. Barmby Rd, York YO42 4ER
• Tockwith Dog Fields. Marston Rd, York YO26 7PR

Tips for pet parents

As we’ve seen, there are heaps of things to do with dogs in the historic city of York. To keep your pup’s tail wagging, follow our tips for pet parents in the city below.

• Note your nearby dog-friendly places. If you live in York, you’re surrounded by lots of dog-friendly places. So, get to know your local spots so that planning a dog-friendly day out is simple.
• Plan ahead. If you plan on exploring somewhere new with your canine companion, check ahead of time that the garden, park, restaurant, pub or tourist attraction is still dog-friendly.
• Follow local rules. Ensure you’re clued up on the City of York Council’s rules around dogs in public spaces.
• Plan ahead for your holiday. Planning a day out locally is simple, but what about when it’s time for a holiday? Well as vets agree pets are happier at home, consider connecting with a trusted York pet sitter ahead of your next trip. Click below to find out how.

Tips for pet sitters

Keen to tread the footsteps of generations gone by in one of England’s most historic cities, with a canine companion by your side? Sounds like house sitting in York will be right up your street. To get your adventure started, follow our tips below.

• Explore the Shambles. If you haven’t wandered through the Shambles, you haven’t seen York. Get to know the city’s most iconic streets and let it transport you back to the 14th century. And if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll already know that it’s this street that’s said to have inspired Diagon Alley.
• Explore dog-friendly pubs. York is packed with cosy pubs, cafes and restaurants that welcome dogs, so be sure to visit a few while you’re house sitting. 
• Stick to the pup’s schedule. Stick to your pet pal’s routine, and follow pet parent instructions on where you’re allowed to take them.
• Check local rules. If you’re new to York, you’re unlikely to be familiar with local rules around dog walking and fouling - check local websites to make sure you’re abiding by council rules.
• Experience York through house sitting. So, want to take care of a furry friend in exchange for a place to stay? Click below to find out how to secure a house sit in York.

Useful resources

• Dog-friendly Edinburgh: things to do in Edinburgh with a dog
• Dog-friendly Manchester: things to do in Manchester with a dog
• Dog-friendly Liverpool: things to do in Liverpool with a dog