Dog-friendly hotels in Whitby and North Yorkshire for an adventure-filled getaway

Raithwaite Estate consists of two expansive hotels, a castle-like keep and a sprinkling of stone cottages. But it’s the latter two dog-friendly options you’ll be residing at if you’re travelling with a pet in tow. Club Rooms, constructed from red bricks, cater to canines – but you’ll need to let staff know in advance if you’re holidaying with yours. For home comforts, the cottages, with their arch windows, authentic fireplaces and full kitchens featuring retro SMEG appliances, are also a splendid choice.

Complimentary access to Raithwaite Estate’s Temple Spa is provided with all rooms, so once your dog is tired out from a walk around the 100 well-kept acres surrounding the hotel, it’ll be time to relax. Unwind in a neutral-hued treatment room adorned in scenic art – therapies here range from energy-boosting facials to soothing massages. Plump for an option using botanical-infused ingredients that traditionally hail from the Mediterranean, then bask in the heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Oversized windows allow natural light to stream in while you gaze at views of the bubbling stream and verdant woodland. Sip on a herbal tea afterwards before reuniting with your dog for dinner.

Sample an afternoon tea next to the crackling wood-burning stove at the pup-friendly Poachers Bar – the delectable scones accompanied by clotted cream from Devon are a must. Or, if it’s dinnertime, mosey on over to Hunter’s Lodge for a low-key meal under the atrium-style glass roof. Listen to the pianist play the baby grand piano while you sample international cuisine – whether that’s tantalising Spanish tapas or spicy Asian seafood noodles. Booking is recommended here, and, more importantly, dogs are most welcome.

This family-run collection of accommodations in Whitby includes several dog-friendly options – from cottages to B&Bs. Book a stay here and notify staff ahead of time so a canine-centric care package will be prepared to greet you on arrival. For the humans, local treats such as Botham’s of Whitby biscuits, Yorkshire tea and Harrogate water are on hand to refresh you post-journey.

After a night in a nautical-themed room in the B&B, a trip to the fishing village of Staithes – the former home of Captain James Cook – feels apt. It’s around a 25-minute car journey north of Whitby, or a three-and-a-half-hour stroll along the cliffs if a weekend of walking is on the agenda. A throwback to Britain’s past, this destination has retained much of its 18th-century character. Try a local ale at The Cod & Lobster, which allows dogs, and go seal-spotting at low tide (many appear in the harbour scouting for scraps from local fishermen).

Return to your sleigh bed under the authentic beamed ceilings in the B&B, or relax in your claw-foot bath. Then pop to the hotel’s bistro, where well-behaved pups are also welcome, for a light salad or sandwich produced from locally sourced ingredients. Thoughtfully prepared breakfasts are also on offer at the B&B’s restaurant each morning, from healthy wake-up bowls of low-fat Greek yoghurt and granola to traditional dishes such as kippers. Alternatively, stay at Sanders Yard’s Old Dispensary instead and have your morning meal delivered there. This charm-laden private cottage is rife with quaint features, from a Yorkshire range cooker to quarry-tiled flooring.

For a comfort-centric stay in Whitby, Discovery Accommodation offers a variety of pet-friendly accommodation, from boutique-style rooms to spacious cottages with themes encompassing sleek and modern to harbour-side cool. Choose Discovery House (just a short stroll from the town’s seafront) for a dog-friendly stay in an elegant three-bedroom townhouse. Here, both you – and your pup – alongside any family members or friends, will receive a congenial welcome before settling into a chic and cheerful en suite.

Rooms at Discovery House are decorated in neutral tones with splashes of colour. Bed down in yours for the night before waking up early the next day to maximise on a stint in the infrared sauna and heated swimming pool. This space, a 5 minute walk away from the hotel, is open to all guests of Discovery Accommodation – but booking in advance is necessary. Breakfast is also available here, or you can return to the townhouse and make use of the impressively equipped kitchen with a beach-inspired theme befitting its seaside location.

After you and your dog settle down for a snack in the dining room, decorated in warm hues and woods for a cosy feel, exploration is on the cards. Walk the six minutes to the beach for a jaunt along the sweeping sands, or saunter up the 199 steps for jaw-dropping views of Whitby’s harbour and hotchpotch of houses below. Meander round the crumbling ruins of the seventh-century abbey when you reach the top – the Gothic architecture here inspired the town’s most infamous creature, the fictional Dracula. The nearby cemetery at St Mary’s Church was even mentioned in Bram Stoker’s illustrious novel.

The Firs is family-owned, and an emphasis is placed on providing you with a warm Yorkshire welcome during your stay. Pets are treated like members of the clan, too. The hosts will phone ahead to check dog policies at locations you plan to visit and they also have their own ‘doggy shower‘ (a hosepipe on the drive). Your pup can spend hours splashing through rock pools at the nearby Runswick Bay beach before returning to the hotel to freshen up. The Firs is also situated near the Cleveland Way, a popular 109-mile walking trail, with access from the village. Dogs and owners alike can wander along this rustic walk on the adjacent cliffs, with views over the former harbour at Port Mulgrave and past gorse bushes.

Choose from rooms with amenities such as overstuffed couches and sleek marble-tiled bathrooms in this 19th-century guesthouse. iPod docking stations allow you to play DJ while settling down for the night on a vintage-style four-poster bed in some rooms. The guesthouse has no alcohol licence, but is more than willing to chill drinks brought by patrons should you wish to sip on a beverage in your room or one of the comfortable common areas pre-bedtime.

The next morning, wake up to the scent of freshly cooked breakfast made with bacon and sausage from Breckons Butchers, a Whitby institution just eight miles away. A traditional British fish dish such as kippers, smoked haddock or mackerel is locally derived, too, from a merchant with its own smokehouse. Vegetarians can select from a range of dishes, including fruity marmalades and jams on baked bread, which are lovingly crafted from scratch in house. Once you’re fully satisfied, make your way around the local sights with your dog.

Raven Hall Country House Hotel is a nine-mile meander across the cliffs from Whitby. It looks out onto Robin Hood’s Bay, historically a smuggling spot, in the North York Moors National Park. A bracing trek with your dog, finished by a stint in the on-site heated indoor pool, is an unparalleled way to spend an afternoon here. There’s also a nine-hole cliff-side links golf course and tennis courts to busy yourself with, as well as organised activities such as off-site picnics where you’ll sip on champagne and sample fresh salmon.

Choose from either one of the designated pup-friendly rooms in the main hotel or an eco-friendly lodge built with sustainable principles in mind. The latter is decorated in warm colours and features log burners to keep you cosy when the weather cools. You’ll also have a patio to sit on while looking out across the golden sands of Robin Hood’s Bay and the bucolic North Yorkshire Moors in the distance. Small but well-equipped kitchenettes allow you to prepare light meals – or there’s always the three on-site dining areas.

The Panorama Restaurant, all wood-panelled walls on one side and glorious views out of sizeable windows the other, is your scenic spot for a candle-lit evening meal while the dog rests up in your room. The Tables D’Hotes menu here varies depending on the day, but options vary from melt-in-the-mouth steaks to fish with a citrus-tinted butter sauce. Certain ingredients are grown organically in the hotel’s grounds, while others are sourced from the local area.