England

Dog-friendly hotels in Scarborough | moorland and beaches with man’s best friend

For an ideal break with your canine companion, head to one of our collection of dog-friendly Scarborough hotels.

Explore the wild North York Moors or the sandy beaches before heading back to a romantic country house, an elegant townhouse or a historic Georgian inn.

At these impressive Scarborough hotels, your dog is as welcome as any other guest. Walk with your pooch through rambling hotel gardens and then let them curl up with you beside a roaring fire after a long day of exploration. To top up your energy levels ready for more walkies tomorrow, you can indulge in hearty food such as the catch of the day alongside seasonal local produce.

A dog-friendly country house hotel on the moors near Scarborough

Ox Pasture Hall is such an idyllic country retreat that you and your dog will hardly have to leave the grounds – even when those reproachful eyes are pestering you for a walk. And what magnificent grounds they are; the 17 acres of gardens, fields and woodland are just the thing for long walks with your pet. Afterwards, refuel with a traditional afternoon tea encompassing a tiered stand of sandwiches, scones and cakes (do book ahead – the hotel bakes its scones and cakes fresh each day).

Each of the rooms is individually designed, combining timeless country house chic with an understated modern palette. Windows look out on the courtyard and its wisteria, or over the gardens towards Raincliffe Woods. Inside, there are little luxuries such as toiletries by Gilchrist and Soames. Dogs are welcome in many of the rooms – including the luxury suites – some of which feature romantic four-poster beds. Dog bowls, treats and advice on routes for walks are all available.

At mealtimes, choose between refined, creative cuisine or relaxed, hearty fare. At the Courtyard restaurant, you’ll dine on white tablecloths under a ceiling of wooden beams. Try dishes such as crispy duck croquettes or sea bream and chowder. Or unwind at the Bistro, where the dishes have as much rustic charm as the dining room, with its exposed stonework and log fire. Order an aperitif, a nightcap or a coffee in the stone-walled bar or put your feet up in a comfortable wing-backed chair in one of the hotel lounges.

The hall is located on the sweeping landscape of moors just outside Scarborough, which blooms into a carpet of purple heather in summer. There are thousands of miles of paths to explore with your pet, from open moorland to ancient woodland to towering cliffs and sheltered bays. Or instead of walking, try travelling in style: just half an hour’s drive away is the start of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, where you and your dog can journey through spectacular scenery in historic trains.

Ox Pasture Hall

Scarborough
8.2 Very good (14 reviews)

A dog-friendly Scarborough hotel just moments from the beach

This stately Victorian hotel holds a prime position in the centre of Scarborough and is moments from the beach – so you and your dog can be running on the sand and splashing in the sea in a matter of minutes. The town centre location means you’re right by shops, restaurants and cultural attractions, too, should you and your pet fancy a wander.

Discover the Jurassic-era fossils of the Rotunda Museum or explore Scarborough Castle, the medieval fortification that looms over the coastline. If you’re a drama fan, you can see international artists play at the spectacular Scarborough Open Air Theatre or watch a classic play at the Stephen Joseph Theatre (known for hosting more than 80 premieres of Alan Ayckbourn’s plays).

Dogs are welcome in the standard double rooms – just let The Crescent know when you book. These rooms are spacious and decorated in timeless style, with printed or striped wallpaper, understated tones and accents of bolder colour. Relax in your armchair, pooch curled up at your feet, and contemplate the views over the garden square and out to sea.

With the ocean being so close, it’s no surprise that the hotel’s restaurant, Reflections, specialises in seafood. The menu changes twice a week, so it’s filled with fresh, seasonal produce. Look out for dishes such as stir-fried scallops, king prawn and chorizo or loin of Scarborough cod with a herb crust and red pesto cream sauce. For those who prefer to stick to dry land, there are 21-day aged prime steaks from local farms. Start your meal off in style with an aperitif in the Brunswick Bar or the hotel lounge. Order a classic cocktail from the imposing wooden bar with its brass fittings and relax into a plush armchair. If you’re already feeling peckish, snack on some of their homemade crisps. The bar also serves light bites and provides a carvery at lunchtime.

The Crescent Hotel

Top rated
Scarborough
9.3 Excellent (67 reviews)

A historic dog-friendly hotel near Scarborough

Since 1776, The Coachman Inn has been welcoming weary travellers reaching the edge of the North York Moors. The grade II listed Georgian building is made from weathered stone and steeped in history, but it’s also filled with modern comforts so you and your dog can experience a welcoming and relaxing stay. And where better to start than in the traditional, rustic bar? Your pet can curl up on the hearthrug in front of an open fire while you try a local cask ale or sip a coffee on the rough-hewn wooden bench seats.

Each of the four guest rooms are individually designed to bring the inn’s historic character elegantly up to date: expect stylish patterned wallpaper, plush bedding and unique colour schemes. When you’ve settled in, stroll down to the garden, where you can sit in the shade of a parasol while you relax with your dog and plan your activities.

The Coachman is known for its food, which showcases local, seasonal produce. Sample dishes such as smoked haddock and sea trout fishcake with smashed peas and mint, or roast rump of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes and wild garlic purée. You can eat al-fresco in the garden or head into the refined, pale green dining room, where light streams in from the large Georgian sash windows.

Suitably refreshed, spend the day discovering the natural beauty of the moors, hiking across the open land with your furry friend or wandering deep into the nearby Dalby Forest. Alternatively, just half an hour’s drive away is one of Britain’s grandest stately homes, Castle Howard, screen star of Brideshead Revisited. After your sightseeing, head back to the comfort of the inn’s bar and restaurant, or stop off on the way back at the nearby Brandysnap Bistro for dishes such as twice-baked cheddar soufflé and honey-roasted duck breast with potato cake, cabbage and bacon.

The Coachman Inn

Top rated
Scarborough
9.0 Excellent (113 reviews)

A dog-friendly hotel near Scarborough between the countryside and the sea

The distinctive octagonal design of this boutique hotel means superb views of the surrounding countryside wherever your suite is located. Each of the rooms at Harmony Lodge are individually designed, with soft carpets, subtle tones and delicate floral patterns bringing a sense of country calm. For extra privacy or larger groups of up to five, there is also a static caravan with its own kitchen, dining area and lounge. Dogs are welcome to join you in your room (but for the sake of the hotel’s two cats, they are asked to stay on a lead in the grounds).

Start the day off sitting in front of a white tablecloth in the light, airy dining room: choose a traditional English breakfast, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs or a vegetarian alternative, washed down with as much tea and coffee as you like. Then relax in the hotel’s conservatory, surrounded by landscaped gardens and dazzling seasonal blooms, and plan your day.

Scarborough’s sandy beaches and attractions are just 15 minutes’ drive away. Alternatively, head north for half an hour to Whitby, where you can explore the picturesque harbour town and its ruined abbey, as well as tasting the celebrated fish and chips at the Magpie Café. There’s plenty of choice for dog walks here as well, with the dramatic open spaces of the North York Moors on the hotel’s doorstep.

Take a cycling trip through the Forge Valley woodlands and let your inquisitive canine run alongside you, or alternatively stroll through the quiet nearby village of Cloughton, and stop for a drink at its handsome stone pub, The Blacksmiths Arms. Sit down to a meal fit for royalty – literally, since the pub is owned by the Duchy of Lancaster and once hosted the Queen for lunch. On your return to the hotel, order a G&T and relax in the lounge or the conservatory.

Harmony Country Lodge

Top rated
Scarborough
8.7 Excellent (28 reviews)