top of page
Dog Walker

Dog Friendly Guide

Scarborough is one of the most accommodating places in the UK for dog owners - this page will help you and your canine companion get the most out of your visit.
You'll find lots of useful info including off-lead walking areas, info on the beach ban, dog-friendly places to visit, things to do, eateries, attractions, and more.
Don't forget to explore our walking trails, all located in dog friendly areas of Scarborough.

Featured Business

SPOTLIGHT

PURPLE PUP

Purple Pup Scarborough Dog Friendly

The ULTIMATE doggy shop, packed full of natural treats and chews, toys and accessories. With amazing owners who really understand our canine companions.

Get 10% off your next purchase - just mention Scarborough Tours & Guides

Purple Pup Discount Scarborough Dog Friendly

Our trails are a perfect excuse to get out and about with your dog. Give your pup some exercise while you explore our fantastic town - click the paw-print for more info.

​

Scroll down to check out the areas you can let your dog off lead (but please do your own checks to make sure it is safe beforehand).

​

Or if you just want to hit the beach - make sure to check which areas dogs are allowed in our Dog Beach Guide further down the page.

Dog Walker

Useful Resources & Links

Dog Friendly Scarborough facebook group

Private group, so you're best joining before you visit. Contains a wealth of info on things to do and interesting places to visit with your dog.

purple pup group.jpeg

Purple Pup's Enriching Canine Behaviours Group

A special group set up by our local dog specialist shop - Purple Pup. Sharing lots of useful info about indulging natural dog behaviours, enrichment and wellbeing.

Plus exclusive Purple Pup Offers for our Very Important Pups and their lovely humans.

Scarborough Dog Walking Group

Scarborough's free dog walking group - all dogs are welcome. Whether you have a nervous or reactive dog, or a bouncy playful pup and want to socialise with other dogs, this amazing group meet at the park near Sainsbury's every Sunday at 11am for a wander down the cinder track and through Woodland Ravine.

Join the facebook group here for more info:

Scarborough Dog Lovers facebook group

Scarborough Dog Lovers

A place to share all your pooch stories and ask for any advice. Join the private facebook group using this link:

Dogs with trainer_edited.jpg

Scarborough Dog Owners Facebook Group

A private facebook group for people to share great dog walks in and around Scarborough and show photos of their dogs enjoying life. 

Join the group by clicking below:

Dog Taxis & Services

Taxi

NIPPY TAXI

01723 377377

Has dog-friendly vehicles - just mention when booking. May take multiple pets depending on size of dogs and availability of larger cars. Don't need to pre-book, but you may have to wait for a dog-friendly car to become available in busy periods.

Taxi

BORO CARS

01723 361111

Has dog-friendly vehicles - just mention when booking. Only one dog permitted per vehicle. Pre-booking recommended.

auntie jane's.jpeg

AUNTIE JANE'S specialist PET Transport

07496 096694

Fully insured specialist pet transport. If your dog needs to go to the vets or needs a lift anywhere else, give Jane a call (please note this is not a passenger transport service).

happy tails.jpeg

HAPPY TAILS PET SERVICES

07854 980284

Want someone to pop into your holiday accommodation and check on your dog while you're out for the day? Or someone to walk them when you're busy checking out attractions thats don't allow dogs - see if Happy Tails can help!

Yorkshire DOg Wash.jpeg

Yorkshire Dog Wash

01723 671687

Did your pup roll in something stinky and now you're too ashamed to take them back to the hotel? Our local self-serve dog washing facility can help you clean and spruce up your pet in no time. Located in Manor Road Business Park, you can call ahead or book online, walk-ins also welcome.

Useful Links & Resources
photo of lots of dog prints in the sand taken from a distance on a bright sunny day.jpg

Dog Beach Guide

The beaches on both North and South Bay have dog friendly sections all year around, and in the off-peak season (1st October to 30th April) the entire stretch of both beaches allow dogs. See the map below:

Dog Beach ban Scarborough north bay
Dog Beach Ban south bay

BE AWARE OF TIDE TIMES: The sections of the beach where dogs are allowed all year round, are the first ones to disappear when the tide comes in. This ensures the doggy areas get a good clean twice a day by the sea. But it also means on certain days the dog beach vanishes very quickly. If there's no beach, try one of the other suggested off-lead areas, or try one of our walking trails.

Nearby beaches with no dog restrictions:
Holbeck Beach

The next beach heading South from the Spa, it is usually much more quiet than South Bay, and great for collecting sea glass. Either walk past the Spa at low tide, or park in Cliff Road car park and walk down the hill (heading North).

Cornelian Bay

The next bay heading south after Holbeck Beach (just before Cayton Bay). It can only be accessed at low tide by walking through the woods, and isn't really suitable for swimming or paddling. It has great rock pools, stunning views and is known for being secluded. One for the adventurers!

Jackson's Bay

Another very quiet, almost secret beach, it is the next bay north of North Bay beach. You can either walk along the beach past the Sealife Centre and Scalby Mills at low tide (be careful on the rocks!), or drop down the hill from the Cleveland Way. Access from Cleveland Way can be difficult, it is a steep path and at risk from coastal erosion - so please be extra careful.

Cayton Bay

3.5 miles drive from South Bay (along A165)

3.3 miles walk along the Cleveland Way, passing Cornelian Bay - allow a couple of hours each way.

A firm favourite with surfers and swimmers (although be aware of the rip tides, and there are no lifeguards on duty). Has a little cafe, and surf school at the top of the hill. Free roadside parking, as well as a car park by the surf school.

Beach Rules

To ensure you and your pooch have an enjoyable visit, please stick to the following guidelines:

​

  • The number one rule on any dog beach - PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG

We can't stress how important this is. Yes, the tide might come and take it away, but there is already enough sewage in the bathing areas of our beaches, we don't need any more. The more often that inconsiderate dog owners leave mess on the beach, the more chance there is that the council will just ban dogs altogether. Please think about the future consequences of leaving dog poo on the beach.

  • Dogs do not have to be kept on the lead on the beach. However, please be courteous when it comes to sharing the beach with families and anxious dogs. If you see another dog on a lead, give them a wide berth or put your dog on a lead just incase they are dog reactive. If you see nearby families building sandcastles, having picnics and playing, consider leashing your dog until you have passed them (no-one likes it when dogs wee on sandcastles, bags, towels, or steals sandwiches). If you have a super giddy, bouncy pup please consider using an extender lead, or training lead to keep them from causing a nuisance to anyone else.

  • HAVE FUN - the beach is usually packed with happy dogs having an amazing time, we hope your dog can join them.

Full details on the dog ban rules in Scarborough, Whitby & Filey can be found on the North Yorkshire Council's website here:

Beach Ban Guide
Wet grass

Off-lead walking areas

Here are some of our favourite walks to take our dogs when we want them to run off a bit of steam. There are no restrictions, so you can take them off lead and explore safely.

COMING SOON
Off-lead walking areas

Dog friendly THINGS TO DO

Filter by Type
Dog-friendly Scarborough

Scarborough Arms

Pub

Proper pub grub and cosy atmosphere

Town Centre, Old Town

Dog-friendly Scarborough

Scarborough Castle

Attraction, Things to do, Parks

English Heritage Castle & Grounds

South Bay, Old Town

Dog-friendly Scarborough

Scarborough North Bay Railway

Attraction, Things to do

Miniature railway running from the Open Air Theatre to Scalby Mills

North Bay

Dog-friendly Scarborough

South Cliff Gardens

Attraction, Things to do, Parks

Stunning gardens with views across to the headland

South Cliff

Dog-friendly Scarborough

Star Map (or Disk)

Attraction, Parks, Things to do

UK's largest star map

South Cliff

Things to do
Have we missed anything?

Do you know of a great dog-friendly business or service in the local area that isn't listed on our website?

Or do you own a dog-friendly business? You can let us know by completing a short form - click the button below to get started.

Want to be our featured business?

Get your business in our featured spot, and in front of visitors searching for dog-friendly things to do in Scarborough. Contact us for more info.

Dog at the Beach
bottom of page