Why Givendale Cottages is the Perfect Base
If you’re searching for the perfect dog friendly cottage in Yorkshire, look no further than Givendale Cottages – a collection of beautifully restored 18th-century country retreats nestled on the edge of the historic Newby Hall Estate in Ripon, North Yorkshire. Whether you’re planning a peaceful escape with your four-legged companion or a full family adventure that includes the dog, this is one of the finest bases for dog walking holidays in North Yorkshire you’ll find anywhere in England.
Set on the banks of the River Ure, surrounded by woodland, parkland, open meadows and sweeping countryside views, Givendale Cottages puts some of Yorkshire’s most stunning walking country right on your doorstep, tail-waggingly good news for dogs and their humans alike.
Why Givendale Cottages Is a Dog Owner’s Dream
Finding a truly dog friendly holiday cottage – one where your pet is genuinely welcomed rather than merely tolerated – can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Givendale Cottages is the needle.
Owned and run by Tom, Shanie and their family (including Billy, their own beloved spaniel), the cottages have been designed with dog owners firmly in mind. The hosts understand, better than most, what it means to travel with a dog — and they’ve put thought into every detail to make it effortless.
What Makes Givendale Cottages Truly Dog Friendly?
- Dogs are genuinely welcome: up to 2 dogs per cottage are permitted, with a small pet charge of £20 to cover the extra cleaning. Depending on your dog’s size and temperament, the hosts may accommodate an additional dog, just enquire before booking.
- Enclosed private gardens: both cottages feature fully enclosed gardens with furnished terraces, giving your dog a safe outdoor space to roam, sniff and sunbathe while you relax with a morning coffee and take in those breathtaking Yorkshire countryside views.
- Dog towels and an outdoor hose: both cottages are equipped with dog towels, and there’s an outdoor hose for rinsing off after walks. The ground floors are predominantly wood-effect and easily wipeable, so you can return from a muddy riverside walk without any anxiety.
- Walks straight from the doorstep: you don’t even need to get in the car. The estate grounds, riverside paths and country lanes begin the moment you step outside.
- A genuinely luxurious retreat: beautifully restored with exposed wooden beams, log burners, high-quality linens and carefully designed interiors, these are cottages where the standard of finish really does match the setting. Dogs are welcome to share in that – thoughtfully.
Because the cottages are finished to a high standard and the hosts take real pride in the experience they offer every guest, dogs are asked to sleep in the kitchen or utility room overnight and are not permitted upstairs or on the furniture. Guests are kindly asked to be respectful of the property – keeping it in the condition you’d hope to find it.
While there is open parkland nearby where dogs can roam freely off the lead if they are well-trained and reliably recalled, guests should remain vigilant around livestock. Dogs must always be placed back on a lead wherever livestock is grazing.
It’s a small ask that goes a long way towards making Givendale a place that can continue welcoming dogs warmly, year after year.
The Best Dog Walking Locations Near Givendale Cottages
This is where a holiday at Givendale Cottages truly sets itself apart from other pet friendly cottages in North Yorkshire. The walking on offer, from gentle riverside strolls to dramatic moorland hikes, is exceptional in both quality and variety. Here is your go-to guide to the very best walks within easy reach.
1. The Newby Hall Estate – Walks From the Doorstep
Distance from cottages: 0 miles (immediate)
Difficulty: Easy
Best for: Morning walks, off-lead exercise (away from livestock), exploring
You needn’t travel far to find a spectacular walk – in fact, you needn’t travel at all. The stunning grounds of the Newby Hall Estate begin right outside the cottage gate. Stroll through the parkland, along the carriage drive and through open fields beside the River Ure. It takes roughly 25–30 minutes to walk through the parkland up to the House and Gardens Entrance Pavilion, a lovely out-and-back route that feels entirely private and is fabulously varied throughout the seasons.
The estate grounds are teeming with wildlife – look out for deer, herons, kingfishers and a dazzling variety of woodland birds. This is a nature lover’s paradise, and your dog will be in their element with so many new scents to explore.
While the estate grounds and surrounding areas are perfect for dog walkers, dogs aren’t actually allowed within the gardens themselves – so we’d suggest coming back at a later time to visit the House & Gardens when able.
Tip: If your dog is reliable off-lead and responds well to recall, there are open areas of parkland where they can stretch their legs freely, just be vigilant around any livestock grazing in the fields.
2. River Ure Riverside Walks
Distance from cottages: On the doorstep
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Best for: All dogs, all fitness levels, year-round walking
The River Ure, one of Yorkshire’s most beautiful rivers, flows right alongside the Newby Hall Estate, offering miles of picturesque riverside walking in both directions. These flat, accessible paths are ideal for dogs of all ages and sizes, from puppies discovering the world for the first time to older dogs who prefer a gentler pace.
Following the river, you’ll pass through riparian woodland, open riverside meadows and ancient flood plains that transform with the seasons – vivid wildflowers in spring, dappled shade in summer, golden leaves in autumn and frost-edged banks in winter. Every season offers a completely different, and equally spectacular, dog walking experience.
The Ure eventually connects to the wider Ripon Canal towpath, extending your walking options considerably and offering a flat, traffic-free route all the way into the city of Ripon itself.
3. Ripon Canal Towpath
Distance from cottages: Short drive or accessible on foot
Difficulty: Easy
Best for: Dogs who love water, leisurely walks, families with children
The Ripon Canal is one of the shortest and most charming canals in England, and its towpath makes for a delightful, completely flat dog walking holiday experience. Walking the towpath into Ripon itself is a wonderfully peaceful way to arrive in the city, past narrowboats and lock gates, with the cathedral spire appearing on the horizon as you approach.
Dogs adore this walk – the water, the wildlife (especially the ducks, to the inevitable frustration of retrievers and spaniels) and the towpath vegetation make it hugely stimulating. It also makes for a very sociable walk, connecting you with other dog walkers and canal enthusiasts along the way.
4. Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal – A UNESCO World Heritage Walk
Distance from cottages: Approx. 10–15 minutes by car
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Best for: History lovers, long walks, well-behaved dogs on leads
One of the most iconic destinations in all of England lies just a short drive from Givendale Cottages. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most breathtakingly beautiful landscapes in the country. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds (though not inside the Abbey or formal gardens), making this an extraordinary backdrop for a morning or afternoon walk during your dog friendly Yorkshire holiday.
Walk beside the River Skell through ancient woodland, past the haunting ruins of the 12th-century Cistercian abbey and through the Georgian water garden with its moon ponds and cascades. The atmosphere here is genuinely unlike anywhere else, serene, ancient and awe-inspiring.
Tip: Arrive early to enjoy the grounds before the crowds arrive. The walk around the full estate takes approximately 2–3 hours at a comfortable pace.
5. Hackfall Woods, Grewelthorpe
Distance from cottages: Approx. 20 minutes by car
Difficulty: Moderate (some steep paths and uneven terrain)
Best for: Adventurous dogs, woodland lovers, off the beaten track explorers
One of North Yorkshire’s best-kept secrets, Hackfall Woods is a magical, 18th-century designed landscape of ancient woodland, dramatic gorges, cascading waterfalls, follies and grottos carved into the hillside above the River Ure. Managed by the Woodland Trust, entry is free and dogs are warmly welcomed on leads (or off-lead in suitable areas away from ground-nesting birds).
This is a genuinely spectacular walk that rewards those who seek it out – the ancient trees, the sound of rushing water and the atmospheric ruins of Georgian follies make it feel like walking into another world. Many dog walkers rate it as one of the finest woodland walks in the whole of North Yorkshire.
Tip: Wear sturdy footwear – the paths can be slippery after rain, and keep dogs on leads near the steeper gorge edges.
6. Brimham Rocks, Nidderdale AONB
Distance from cottages: Approx. 25–30 minutes by car
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Best for: All dogs, families, those who love dramatic landscapes
Dogs are allowed at Brimham Rocks (one of the National Trust’s most spectacular and unusual properties), making it an absolute must-visit during any dog walking holiday in Yorkshire. These extraordinary millstone grit formations, some balanced impossibly, others towering 30 feet high, have been sculpted by millions of years of wind and water erosion into shapes that seem almost surreal.
Wandering between the rocks with your dog is a uniquely memorable experience – the moorland setting, the far-reaching views across Nidderdale and the sheer drama of the landscape make this one of North Yorkshire’s most distinctive dog-friendly days out. Dogs must be kept on leads around the rock formations and in car parks, but can enjoy greater freedom on the surrounding moorland.
7. Nidderdale Way & the Yorkshire Dales National Park
Distance from cottages: 30 to 45 minutes by car
Difficulty: Easy to Challenging (routes to suit all levels)
Best for: Serious walkers, active dogs, multi-day trail walking
For those seeking longer, more ambitious dog walking holidays, the nearby Yorkshire Dales National Park offers some of the finest walking in England. From Givendale Cottages, you’re exceptionally well-placed to access Nidderdale – a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) often referred to as the “secret Dale” for its comparative quietness compared to more famous Dales further west.
Walking routes here range from gentle valley strolls along the River Nidd to dramatic ridge walks with panoramic views across the moors. How Stean Gorge near Lofthouse is a particularly thrilling natural wonder – known as “Yorkshire’s Little Switzerland” – where the gorge walls rise up to 24 metres above the beck below. Dogs are welcome on the surrounding footpaths and moorland walks.
The Nidderdale Way itself is a 53-mile circular trail through the heart of the AONB, perfect for spreading across several days of a week-long stay at Givendale Cottages, completing a section each day before returning to a warm log fire and a well-earned dinner.
8. Ripon City Walks & the Cathedral
Distance from cottages: 5 minutes by car / accessible on foot via the canal
Difficulty: Very easy
Best for: A leisurely afternoon stroll, combining sightseeing with a dog walk
The beautiful cathedral city of Ripon is just 5 minutes from Givendale Cottages by car, or a lovely longer walk along the canal towpath. The city centre is a delight for dogs and their owners, wide open market squares, historic streets and friendly independent cafés and pubs that welcome four-legged visitors.
Ripon has a rich history stretching back over 1,300 years, and its magnificent cathedral, one of the oldest in England, is surrounded by quiet green spaces ideal for a short rest and a sniff around. The daily 9pm blowing of the Ripon Hornblower’s horn in the market square is a wonderful tradition and an atmospheric way to end an evening walk into town.
9. Thorpe Perrow Arboretum & Birds of Prey Centre
Distance from cottages: Approx. 20-25 minutes by car
Difficulty: Easy
Best for: Nature lovers, families, dogs who enjoy open parkland
Website: thorpeperrow.com
One of the largest and most impressive arboretums in the north of England, Thorpe Perrow near Bedale covers over 85 acres of parkland, woodland walks and rare tree collections. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the grounds, making it a wonderful change of pace from open moorland, quieter, shadier, more contemplative. There’s genuine grandeur to walking beneath towering specimen trees that have been collecting here since the 1920s, and the seasonal displays are spectacular: snowdrops and magnolias in late winter, cherry blossom in spring, and vivid autumn colour that’s among the finest in Yorkshire.
The resident Birds of Prey Centre adds an extra dimension that most walking days simply can’t offer – eagle owls, red kites, falcons and more, with flying displays that are genuinely thrilling for children and adults alike.
10. The Bivouac & Druids Temple, Swinton Estate, Masham
Distance from cottages: Approx. 30–35 minutes by car
Difficulty: Moderate
Best for: Adventurous dogs, wild and dramatic landscapes, off-lead walking
Website: swintonbivouac.com
For something genuinely unlike anything else in the region, the Swinton Estate near Masham is worth every minute of the drive. Set high above the valley with sweeping, far-reaching views across Yorkshire, the estate’s walking is some of the most dramatic on offer in this guide. The jewel in the crown is the Druids Temple – a remarkable full-scale replica of Stonehenge, built in the 1820s and hidden deep within beautiful estate woodland. Stumbling upon it through the trees feels, genuinely, like a discovery.
Dogs are allowed off the lead across much of the estate outside designated bird nesting areas (seasonal restrictions apply during nesting season, so check ahead). The elevated position and open moorland character of the landscape means your dog can really run here – it’s a very different energy to the riverside and canal walks closer to the cottages, and all the better for it. The Bivouac itself is a wonderful café and glamping site on the estate, a great spot to stop for coffee and cake before or after the walk.
11. The Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park
Distance from cottages: Approx. 20 minutes by car
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate (some slopes through the hillside garden)
Best for: Garden lovers, those after something visually spectacular, dogs on leads
Website: himalayangarden.com
An extraordinary and slightly unexpected find just a short drive from Ripon, the Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park near Grewelthorpe spans 45 acres of hillside gardens and parkland inspired by the plant-hunting expeditions of the Victorian era. The rhododendron and azalea collections are among the finest outside of the Himalayas themselves – in late spring, the hillsides erupt in colour in a way that stops you in your tracks.
Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the grounds, and the combination of formal garden paths, wilder parkland sections and a lovely tearoom makes this an ideal half-day visit. A playground on site makes it a good option for families too. For anyone with an interest in horticulture, or simply an appreciation for somewhere strikingly beautiful – this is a must on any Givendale itinerary.
After the Walk: Dog Friendly Pubs Near Givendale Cottages
No dog walking holiday is complete without a well-earned pint and a pub lunch. Take a look at our guide on places to eat and drink near Givendale Cottages to find out more. You’re spoilt for choice here:
The Black Lion, Skelton-on-Ure – A community-owned pub run by the acclaimed Taigh and Mary, who have brought a wealth of culinary talent from London to the heart of rural North Yorkshire. The food is exceptional, the welcome is warm and it’s an easy 30-40 minute walk through the Newby Hall parkland or 15 minutes by bicycle. Highly recommended by the Givendale hosts themselves.
The Blackamoor Inn – Just a 20-minute walk from the end of the Givendale lane, this is your classic Yorkshire country pub: proper pints, honest pub food and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for a post-walk pint when you don’t want to venture too far from the cottage.
The Perfect Base for Exploring Beyond the Walks
A dog friendly cottage holiday in Yorkshire from Givendale also puts you in a superb position to explore some of the North’s most celebrated destinations by car:
- Harrogate – 20 minutes | Elegant spa town, famous for Betty’s Tea Rooms, beautiful parks and boutique shopping.
- York – 40 minutes | One of England’s greatest historic cities, with the York Minster, the Shambles and the city walls, many areas are wonderfully dog friendly.
- The Yorkshire Moors – 45 minutes | The dramatic open moorland made famous by Herriot and the Brontës, offering endless walking and unforgettable scenery.
- Thirsk – 20 minutes | The charming market town that inspired James Herriot’s “Darrowby,” with its wonderful All Creatures Great and Small connections – naturally, very dog friendly.
A Note on Seasonal Walking at Givendale
One of the great pleasures of returning to Givendale Cottages across different seasons is how dramatically the landscape transforms:
Spring brings wildflowers to the meadows along the Ure, lambs to the surrounding fields and a riot of birdsong across the estate parkland. Bluebells carpet the woodland floor, a spectacular sight.
Summer offers long golden evenings on the terrace, warm riverside strolls and the full splendour of the estate gardens. Ideal for long, ambitious days out in the Dales before returning for a BBQ in the private garden.
Autumn is arguably the most beautiful season for walking in North Yorkshire, the woodland at Hackfall and along the Ure turns extraordinary shades of gold and amber, and the quieter footpaths make for a more contemplative experience.
Winter brings a cosy magic to the cottages – log burners lit, frost on the meadows, the Dales under a pale sky. There’s something deeply restorative about a brisk winter walk followed by returning to a warm, characterful cottage in the Yorkshire countryside. Givendale is currently offering 10% off Autumn 2026 and Winter 2026/27 bookings, the perfect opportunity to experience this.
Ready to Book Your Dog Friendly Holiday Cottage in North Yorkshire?
Givendale Cottages genuinely offers everything a dog owner could want from a pet friendly holiday cottage in Yorkshire: a beautiful, characterful home-from-home, enclosed gardens, walks from the doorstep, proximity to some of the finest dog walking country in England, and hosts who truly understand and love dogs.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape with your spaniel, a family adventure with the kids and the Labrador, or a large-group gathering where every member of the family, four legs included, feels completely at home, Givendale delivers.
Check availability and book your stay here.
Great Givendale Cottages, Newby Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 5AD
