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Warm welcomes and woodland walks: The best dog-friendly hotels in Yorkshire

The Devonshire Fell - one of the best dog-friendly hotels in Yorkshire
The Devonshire Fell - one of the best dog-friendly hotels in Yorkshire

With wild stretches of moorland, soft green valleys, pretty riverside paths – and not forgetting its sturdy fells – it’s not surprising Yorkshire is a lure for dog-owners. In response, many pubs, hotels and b&bs are now geared up with dog-friendly rooms, even some of those that are town-based. Some have ground-floor rooms with private patios, others offer treats such as beds and doggy biscuits while many allow dogs in the bar or lounge so they can join their owners at meal-times. Here's our pick of the best dog-friendly hotels in Yorkshire, in and around locations including Ripon, Scarborough, Skipton, York and the Dales.

Beck Hall is surrounded by some of the loveliest Yorkshire Dales countryside, making it an ideal base for walkers and nature lovers. The original yeoman’s cottage, built in 1705, has been added to over the years to include a couple of sympathetic extensions, while the beautiful gardens contain huge centuries-old oak trees and weeping willows. Meals (made largely with Dales’ produce) are served in the modern restaurant and bar, and afternoon teas can be taken in the cosy snug, where there’s an open log fire. Dogs are allowed in the restaurant and free of charge in the 21 rooms (up to three can stay).

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This baronial pile, with corner turrets, battlements and stupendous entrance tower, looks like a castle. Inside, it’s old-school, English stately home, with acres of polished-wood floors and dark-red rugs, vast corridors hung with gilt-framed portraits and massive windows. You will not be bored here: apart from a range of country pursuits, there are walking trails (dogs are welcome to stay for £25 per night), a four-acre walled garden, nine-hole golf course, plus a cookery school. The sleek and airy spa offers various thermal experiences plus indoor and outdoor pools. Rooms, though in need of an update, are perfectly comfortable, with nice touches of sloe gin, local books and super-size bathrooms.

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Although only 10 minutes from the coast and the razzamatazz of Scarborough, this hotel feels deep in the country, surrounded by fields, woods and its own very pretty gardens. The former Victorian farmhouse, all ivy-covered golden stone and cream-painted sash windows, has been sympathetically extended with additional wings and two courtyards with pretty water features. Inside, it has aimed to keep a cottagey feel but with a country-house smartness. Dogs are made very welcome (£10 a night) and can join their owners while dining in the conservatory. The 32 rooms are all a reasonable size and a few have four-poster beds.

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The Devonshire Fell is set in some of North Yorkshire’s most heart-tugging countryside, with hikes, trails and a cute Dales village right on the doorstep. The hotel is part of the Duke of Devonshire’s 30,000-acre Bolton Abbey Estate, whose eponymous 12th-century ruined abbey lies six miles south. A bright pink and charcoal striped carpet running through the corridors of this handsome Victorian building is the handiwork of the Duchess of Devonshire, who sometimes raids the family seat at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire for antiques and oil paintings. Most rooms have a separate bath and shower and dogs can stay in all of them for £10 per night per dog.

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This long-established family-run boutique, just outside the city walls in splendid period buildings, has a traditional but quirky country-house style. The whole place is scattered with antique furniture, gilt-framed portraits, chunky wooden candelabra and a motley assortment of Chinese vases, warming pans, and spinning wheel – it definitely has character. Tucked away is a large garden with twisting paths and secret corners, plus – surprisingly – a tear drop-shaped heated swimming pool, Scandinavian log cabin with sauna and steam room, and hot tub. Hotel staff have a lovely Yorkshire straightforwardness; warm and friendly. Dogs are welcomed with treats, and a sausage for breakfast, at no extra cost.

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A traditional coaching inn in a prime position overlooking Richmond’s market place with smart, contemporary interiors and crisply furnished rooms. It offers above-average pub food and an easy-going atmosphere that is popular with locals. The King’s Head has been given a modish makeover to create a light, semi open-plan ground floor that is more lounge-like than pubby. There are chandeliers above the wood-floored bar – with cakes and scones as well as the usual beer pumps – a wood-burning stove, feature wallpapers and smart plaid-covered sofas in the lounge. Dogs are welcome (£10 per night) and there's an information pack of local walks (from easy strolls to hikes) to borrow.

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The cheerful Wensleydale Heifer is an attractive 17th-century inn, situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and surrounded by pretty countryside. There are 13 rooms, nine with traditional décor in the original building and four themed rooms in a newer annexe across the courtyard – the James Herriot room comes with a box set of All Creatures Great and Small. The first-class restaurant has a separate fish bar and there’s a cosy snug, a traditional pub bar and a wood-beamed lounge with an open fire and a good selection of whiskies. Dogs are allowed in the bar and in some of the rooms (for £20 per night per dog).

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Malton is known as the ‘Food Capital of Yorkshire’ and this 17th-century coaching inn makes a great base for sampling its produce since being given an alluring new look and a new lease of life by hoteliers Georgie and Sam Pearman (of The Lucky Onion group) and owner Tom Naylor-Leyland. The trio have achieved the relaxed and stylish feel through finds brought back from antique and vintage shops and fairs, as well as velvet sofas and armchairs, pretty lampshades, bold fabrics, rush carpeting, wooden flooring and interesting art on the walls. Dogs are more than welcome at the hotel (for £10 extra a night) and will enjoy roaming charming Malton.

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This large, comfortable property, just a stone’s throw from the seaside and set in 100 acres of tranquil woodland, has all the requisites for a relaxing break. Formerly a private estate, it opened as a hotel a decade ago and consists of two main properties: The Hall, a two-storey L-shaped pale stone block, and the Keep, a red brick ‘castle’ with two turrets. There are also eight self-catering stone cottages and a private house. Dog-owners should opt for a cottage or one of the 28 rooms on the Keep, which welcome four-legged friends. Buggies are available to ferry guests around the estate, and shooting and fishing can be arranged on request.

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This village inn enjoys a picture-perfect location just below the North York Moors' famous Roseberry Topping. Inside, the ground floor is one large bar-cum-dining area done out in a simple but effective, contemporary faux-rustic style. The 12 rooms are identical in décor but differ in shape and views to accommodate the quirks of the cottages. Lovers of the great outdoors should opt for the pub’s excellent-value 'Walk-Inn' breaks, which include a package of laminated walks (to keep), a packed lunch, free pint and a boot-cleaning service, plus dinner and breakfast. Dogs are welcome at £7.50 per stay and there is a popular beer garden and patio.

Contributions by Tina Walsh, Fiona Duncan & Helen Pickles