The most fabulous dog-friendly Peak District attractions

While walking in the Peaks is one of the principal reasons that those with both two legs and four flock to this beautiful area, traversing the countryside and conquering the summits of Derbyshire isn’t all that the dog-friendly Peak District has to offer the canine vacationer. If your dogs are anything like those at Canine Cottages, they also love doing fun non-walkie activities with their humans on holiday, whether it’s visiting a stately home or castle, jumping aboard a vintage steam train or just enjoying any activity where they’re allowed to tag along.

Ideal if you’ve got an older or poorly dog who can’t manage too much walking, the great selection of dog-friendly attractions in the Peak District means that all of the family can be catered for on a trip to this area. We've put together some suggestions of paw-friendly attractions and dog-friendly places to visit in the Peak District that will welcome both you and your four-legged family members – just sit back, put your paws up and have a flick through our top canine adventures in the Peaks. 

And when you're ready, why not browse and book a dog-friendly cottage in the Peak District to use as your base?

Skip to:

• Best dog-friendly attractions for families in the Peak District
• Best historical dog-friendly attractions in the Peak District
• Best dog-friendly National Trust attractions in the Peak District
• Best quirky dog-friendly activities in the Peak District

Best 3 dog-friendly attractions for families

Discover Buxton Tram

Take a leisurely tour around the Peaks with the fantastic ‘Wonder of the Peaks’ route on the Buxton Tram. Showing off the best of Buxton, there is an optional route to stop off at the two million-year-old limestone caverns of Poole’s Cavern and Buxton Country Park. Only guide dogs are allowed in the caves themselves, so we suggest one of the adults takes the kids to see this natural wonder, while the other has a peaceful walk with the hound around the country park. Get together for a sweet treat in the dog-friendly cafe afterwards and then jump back on the tram to head home, or linger to explore the rest of dog-friendly Buxton, including the gardens of Buxton Pavilion. Visitors often ask, 'Is Buxton Pavilion dog-friendly?' – the answer is that four-legged friends are allowed in the park, but not the building.

The Heights of Abraham

For a second fun activity, how about a pet-friendly canine cable car? There is a wealth of unusual things to do in Matlock at the famous Heights of Abraham at Matlock Bath: a maze of trails up Masson Hill, a pair of grand showcase taverns, and cable cars that cross the valley to give you and your canine chum a lovely view below. It’s a great opportunity for a selfie of you both, but make sure your dog feels safe and doesn’t look down if he shows any signs of vertigo! Since most of the attractions at the Heights of Abraham are outdoors, well-behaved dogs on leads are more than welcome, just remember that they can’t go into any of the caverns or buildings. The Heights of Abraham is one of the top Peak District attractions, so it's a bonus to be able to access the site with your pup.

Crich Tramway Museum

For Peak District things to do that don't require too much effort, the award-winning Crich Tramway Museum will do the trick. Not only an excellent day out for children, who will love collecting their old penny to pay the conductor for the 1-mile tram ride, the mutt-loving staff also encourage dogs to hop aboard! Now, we like this idea very much as why should a) you miss out just because you have a dog with you and b) your pup miss out when he would also like a mile-long tram ride and a bit of Peaks history?

Best 3 historical dog-friendly attractions

Chatsworth

Hounds who like the finer things in life should be taken by their servant humans to the elegant stately home of Chatsworth House. If you find yourself asking, 'Can dogs go in Chatsworth Gardens', the answer is yes! Like most historic properties, dogs cannot be taken into the main house, but the estate does welcome them on leads in their gorgeous grounds.

Mam Tor

You can’t visit the Peak District without spending a day at Mam Tor, one of the most famous historic landmarks in the Peaks, thought to have been constructed in the late Bronze Age and possibly one of the earliest hillforts in Britain. From glorious sunrises across the panoramic hilltops to traversing the hard ground covered in glistening ice crystals by the frosts of winter, you and your dog are guaranteed a wonderful experience.

Peveril Castle

Take an afternoon trip to Peveril Castle near Castleton, one of the UK’s oldest existing Norman buildings. Standing high above the village of Castleton, these imposing ruins make a great morning out and should be followed by a hearty lunch at one of the dog-friendly village pubs. For exuberant hounds, we suggest a climb to the top of the hills for the spectacular views across Hope Valley – just make sure that you take a picnic and lots of water for your canine chum if you want to stay up top. Other Castleton things to do with dogs include visiting the famous caves of Treak Cliff and Blue John Cavern.

Best 3 dog-friendly National Trust attractions

Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak

Dogs on leads are more than welcome at our first National Trust location: Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak. Our canine chums will be blessed with lots of walking routes all around, with some lovely scenery along the way. Walk through woodland and hike up to the summit of Thorpe Cloud or take a gentle riverside stroll alongside the River Manifold and cross the Dovedale stepping stones over the River Dove. Bear in mind that there is livestock on many parts of the estate, especially lambs in the springtime, so pups do need to be kept under control. This attraction is a great choice if you're looking for things to do near Ashbourne, as it's a short 5-mile drive away.

Lyme

You’ll recognise the majestic stately home of Lyme on the edge of the Peak District as it was once famously used as the setting for the glorious Pemberley in the TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Set in 1400 acres of grounds with a deer park, you and your pups can blow the cobwebs away exploring the wider estate, traversing through woodland, meadows and across the moor. This is one of those dog-friendly places to visit that you will never forget.

Hardwick Hall

Slightly east of the Peak District National Park, Hardwick Hall has an amazing 900 acres of parkland and welcomes canine friends across both its parkland and stable yard. After a bracing walk, stop for a coffee in the Stableyard where your dog can sit with you on the South Terrace or take a picnic lunch to the lovely grassy area at the back of the Hall and laze in the sun for an hour or two. There are also water bowls for the thirsty pooch at both the Visitor Centre and Gatehouse. Just be wary, as always, of livestock and keep dogs on leads in the park.

Best 3 quirky or unusual activities you can do with your dog

The Peak Rail Heritage Line

For dogs who enjoy a bit of transport history (and who wouldn’t?), head over to the Peak Rail Heritage Line. Running between Rowsley and Matlock, these wonderful steam trains travel at a slow pace so that you can all sit and watch the world go by together. When you eventually get to Matlock, you’ll find lots of dog-friendly pubs and coffee shops, so you won’t need to leave your pooch unattended at any time. 

The Monsal Trail

Don’t miss the Monsal Trail, which has lots of canine-friendly pubs en route for those dogs with humans who like to stop off for a pint of local ale on their country walk. Following the line of an old railway, and much of the River Wye, the route is traffic-free and flat with some spectacular scenery. Popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders, it passes through multiple railway tunnels along the route, four of which are lit up.

Eyam ‘Plague’ Village

Well, we said quirky and there’s nothing more unusual than a day out at a plague village! Immerse yourself in this amazing story of the villagers of Eyam who, in the 17th century when the plague was rife, closed themselves off from the outside world to stop the spread of disease. Visit key locations in the village and the National Trust’s Eyam Hall as well as the village stocks and museum – the latter is dog friendly if your canine chum can be carried!

Come and stay with us in the Peak District!

After long days sightseeing and exploring, your adventure hounds will need somewhere to rest tired heads and weary paws. Bring them home to one of our selection of dog-friendly cottages in the Peak District and get ready for more fun Peak adventures.