A charming market town on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, dog-friendly Richmond has lots to offer adventurous pups and their families. Unravel the secrets of the town’s rich history, discovering its magnificent castle, atmospheric abbey ruins and a traditional cobbled marketplace. Or grab the collar and lead and set out on tail-wagging escapades through the rolling countryside and along the winding River Swale.
If you’re thinking of treating your pack to a staycation in this beautiful corner of North Yorkshire, read on to discover some of the best dog-friendly things to do in Richmond. From the most exciting attractions to the top dog-friendly pubs in Richmond, Yorkshire, we’ve chosen a few of the best places to add to your itinerary.
And if you’d like to paw through our collection of dog-friendly holiday cottages in Richmond, just click the button below.
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Great dog-friendly days out in Richmond
Richmond Castle
Best day out for history-loving hounds: With its breathtaking views of the Yorkshire Dales, Richmond Castle fully deserves its place as one of the best dog-friendly places in Richmond. This mighty fortress sits atop a rocky spur above the River Swale and is one of the oldest and greatest Norman castles in Britain. Take a picnic and relax with your pup, soaking up the views that have inspired countless artists over the centuries, such as J. M. W. Turner.
Why your dog will love it: Curious canines are welcome to sniff out all the fascinating nooks and crannies of the castle by your side on a lead, including the topiary, grasses and herbaceous borders of the beautiful Cockpit Garden.
Richmond Dog Show
Best day out for pampered pups: One of the best-known dog shows in the UK calendar, the annual Richmond Dog Show is the ultimate doggie day out. Held every September, join some of the finest pedigree pups from across the country to compete for a variety of awards, with plenty of fun and games to keep tails wagging throughout the event. More than 150 breeds can be seen over the course of each show and the top awards are keenly contested.
Why your dog will love it: The show isn’t just for competitors; tufty-pawed pals who would rather watch the glitz and glamour from the sidelines can do so as ‘spectator’ dogs for a fee of £5.
The Green Howards Museum
Best day our for military mutts: At the Green Howards Museum, the whole pack can delve into 300 years of military history. One of the top dog-friendly attractions in Richmond, this fascinating museum tells the story of the Green Howards infantry regiment of the British Army, from 'Luttrell's Regiment' formed in the 17th century, to the present day 'Yorkshire Regiment'. Unearth the history of the hundreds of thousands of men who have served, fought and died for their country.
Why your dog will love it: There are over 45,000 items covering three centuries of history to sniff out, including paintings, uniforms, musical instruments, old photographs and personal mementoes. The medal room is particularly dazzling.
Wonderful dog-friendly walks in Richmond
Richmond and Easby Abbey
Best for an easy scamper: When it comes to dog walks in Richmond, this gentle 3.5-mile circular trail is always a favourite with four-legged explorers. It begins in Richmond and takes in two of the town’s historic landmarks, the castle and Easby Abbey, one of the best-preserved monasteries in the country. Not only are these 12th-century atmospheric abbey ruins free to explore, but they are also pet friendly and make a great spot for a picnic during your stroll.
Why your dog will love it: The walk traces the banks of the River Swale, a super spot for a doggy paddle!
Hudswell Woods
Best for stick chasers: Another of our favourite places to walk your faithful friend near dog-friendly Richmond, Yorkshire, is the National Trust’s Hudswell Woods. From the town, there is a scenic 4-mile circular trail which follows the River Swale west to Round Howe Wood and Billy Bank Wood before coming to Hudswell Woods. There's also a car park at the woods if you’d prefer not to walk from the town. If you enjoy birdwatching, this is a great choice – look out for kingfishers, sand martins and siskins.
Why your dog will love it: Whatever the season, there is always something new and exciting to experience, including carpets of bluebells and wild garlic in the spring, a cacophony of birdsong in the summer, firework displays of rich colour in the autumn, and muddy puddles to bounce through in the winter.
Coast to Coast Walk: Richmond to Reeth
Best for an adventure: If your happy hound has lots of energy to burn, why not tackle a section of Alfred Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast route together? The segment between Richmond and Reeth is 10.4 miles and takes in everything that makes the Dales such a popular place to explore, including cascading rivers, ancient ruins and the rolling meadows of Swaledale. You’ll finish the route in Reeth where a selection of cosy dog-friendly pubs awaits with bowls of water for Fido and a refreshing pint for the humans.
Why your dog will love it: There’s extraordinary countryside scenery to admire and so many new sights, sounds and smells to sniff out.
Top dog-friendly places to eat and drink in Richmond
Kings Head
Best for delicious pub grub: Full of olde-worlde charm and character, the Kings Head is one of the top dog-friendly pubs in Richmond. This 18th-century coaching inn offers a relaxed atmosphere where humans can tuck into traditional pub classics while pups stretch out for a snooze beside the roaring wood burner. The Sunday lunch is a particular highlight with the most enormous Yorkshire puddings!
Why your dog will love it: Doggie diners are made to feel very welcome in all areas excluding the main restaurant, so you can enjoy the bar, lounge areas and the outside decking together.
Mocha
Best for those with a sweet tooth: If you’re looking for a dog-friendly café in Richmond, Mocha should be at the top of your list. This artisan chocolate and coffee shop can be found in the heart of the Market Place and features a mouth-watering range of luxury chocolates made on-site, as well as Yorkshire-roasted coffee, light lunches, homemade cakes and divine hot chocolates.
Why your dog will love it: There’s always plenty of fuss here from the hound-loving staff, not to mention the odd biscuit or two.
Nazzarena Sicilian
Best for a taste of the Mediterranean: If you fancy something a little special, Nazzarena Sicilian is loved by many as one of the top dog-friendly restaurants in Richmond. Specialising in Sicilian comfort food, you can look forward to flavoursome dishes like stone-baked pizzas, fresh seafood and decadent pasta, all crafted with the finest ingredients using techniques passed down through the generations.
Why your dog will love it: Canine counterparts are sure to go mutts for the laidback atmosphere here, and hopefully the humans will share a few tasty crumbs!
Enjoy a dog-friendly holiday in Richmond
Clockwise from top: Brewery Barn, Castle and Cobbles, Harper House
For a memorable backdrop to your staycation, choose one of our self-catering dog-friendly holiday cottages in Richmond. Whether you are travelling as a couple, a family or a group of friends, you’ll find a wide range of pet-friendly accommodation within our collection which will place you perfectly for special holidays in this glorious part of North Yorkshire. You can also discover more dog-friendly things to do in Yorkshire with our comprehensive Canine guide to this unforgettable UK destination.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.