Dog Friendly Holidays in the Peak District
Dog Friendly Properties
Our hand-picked collection of dog-friendly accommodation means the whole family can explore the Peak District & Derbyshire and enjoy a wonderful break together. We have properties large and small set in stunning locations, close to some of the most scenic walks and pet friendly pubs in the area. Our most popular dog friendly venues are:
4. Telephone Exchange - right on the High Peak Trail and perfect for walking your four legged friends. Sleeps 20 guests
5. Rose Cottage - set in a glorious rural location with lovely gardens, and a short stroll to the village where you will find a great dog friendly pub. Sleeps 4
7. Knockerdown Cottages - A sister site of Peak Venues with a collection of 16 holiday cottages located near to Carsington Reservoir.
8. The Stocking Mill - a cosy little cottage in the heart of Ashford in the Water with great walks and dog friendly pubs on the doorstep Sleeps 4
9. Priestcliffe House - a tranquil village location with amazing walks and close to Buxton for day trips Sleeps 24
Taking Your Dog on Holiday - Here is our top tips for travelling with your pets
It is such a treat to take your dog on holiday - no kennel or dog sitting fees for a start, peace of mind that they’re safe, lots of quality time with your furry friend and, of course, feeling that you’ve got the whole family with you. But before heading off to make memories in pooch paradise, there are a few things to think about. Check out our guide to making the most of your trip.
It’s all in the planning
● If your dog isn’t micro-chipped - and even if s/he is - it is a good idea for your pet to wear a collar with an ID tag on it, clearly showing your name and contact details (and your holiday address, if there is room) so if your pet gets lost you can be reunited quickly and easily.
● Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date, as well as their flea and worm treatments.
● You might also want to think about the activities that you’ll be doing when you’re away and whether these are appropriate for your pet. Would they be comfortable walking the 10 mile loop on your bucket list?
● Check the forecast too. Extremes of weather may call for adjustments to the packing list, cool packs to protect from heat stroke and warm coats for winter.
● Research dog-friendly activities, cafés and pubs...read on for our favourite dog friendly places to visit!
What should you pack?
What should you pack? A good packing list is vital and can make or break a memorable trip. Here’s what we pack for our pooches when we head away...
- Lead
- Collar and ID tag
- Your dog’s bed
- Something that smells of home, like a blanket or soft toy
- Favourite toys and chews
- Poo bags
- Food and water bowls
- Food for the duration of your stay
- Treats
- Shampoo for cleaning up after a muddy walk
- Towel for drying off or muddy paws
- Blanket for covering sofas to avoid having to clean off muddy paw marks
- A torch and/or something high-vis for you and your dog in case you will be walking in the dark or dim light
- Any medication your dog takes
- Sickness or calming remedies for the journey
- Travel water bowl for the journey (and holiday!)
- Microchip details and any related information
- Photo of your dog in the event of him/her going missing so you can show people what they look like.
- Coat for cold weather
- Cool vest or cool pack for hot temperatures
- Contact details of the vets closest to your holiday destination.
On Your Travels
Going away on holiday can be unsettling for your pet and helping them feel comfortable on the journey and secure when they arrive at their new home will ensure you make the most of your time away.
On The Way...
- Always have water with you so your dog can stay hydrated. A travel water bowl is best.
- Have a lead handy in case you need to stop.
- The Highway Code states motorists need to ensure dogs are “suitably restrained” while travelling in the car. That means you must use a good quality harness, crate or guard to keep your dog safe.
- Plan your journey so you can make regular stops, especially if it’s a long one. Your dog will travel much better if it has been able to stretch it’s legs and have regular toilet stops.
- If your dog suffers from car sickness talk to your vet about appropriate medication. And it can also help if your pet is facing forwards.
Settling In...
- Take your dog for a walk as soon as you can after arriving. This helps both you and them to familiarise yourselves with the new environment. It also shows them they are a top priority and ensures they don’t have any mishaps in your new abode! It will also tire them out and help them have a better first night’s sleep.
- Find a quiet, draft-free spot for your dog’s bed and make sure they have plenty of quiet time between the holiday excitement.
- Make sure they have something that smells of home like a blanket or toy in their bed. This will provide comfort and security when they are having lots of new experiences.
- Try and keep to your dog’s usual routine as far as possible. Feeding, exercising, resting and taking them for toilet breaks at a similar time every day will ensure any stress is kept to a minimum.
- Consistency is also a good idea when it comes to your dog’s diet. Changing diet suddenly can cause a stomach upset, the last thing you want when you are away.
- Don’t leave your dog alone for long periods, or any period of time that will cause them distress.
- If you do need to go out for any length of time it is worth considering leaving them with a dog carer or walker. That way you can enjoy what you’re doing guilt-free and your dog can chill in responsible hands. Win-win!
Doggie Day Care, Recommended Dog Walkers and Emergency Contacts (just in case!)
This may require some forward prep. How long do you need care for? Do you want your dog walked? Do you want to find someone who is based close to where you’re staying so you’re not spending unnecessary time in the car (as beautiful as the Derbyshire countryside is!) delivering and collecting Buster. These questions - and perhaps availability - will dictate who you ultimately choose.
We’ve listed a handful of carers here but please be aware that whilst we have positive feedback from people who have used them, they are not fully endorsed by Peak Venues.
Based in Buxton but happy to come to you, Dawn provides dog walking and pet sitting for all breeds. Unless otherwise instructed, she likes to walk all dogs alone so they get her full attention. Dawn will travel free of charge within a 10 mile radius around Buxton and applies a small per-mile charge for all surrounding areas of the Peak District, Cheshire and Staffordshire. There are no extra charges for weekends or bank holidays and she is happy to accommodate last minute bookings if she can. She is fully insured, first aid qualified, DBS checked and can supply text, photo or email updates if you wish to see what your pet is up to.
Clare Yates offers pet sitting, home boarding and doggy daycare at her 10 acre smallholding between Leek and Buxton. Dogs can run and play in a safe environment without meeting other dogs on walks. She prides herself on running a ‘home from home’ service, making sure dogs - and other animals - are closely matched. Clare has recently been awarded 5 stars under the new boarding licences regulations.
Emergency Contacts
It’s always good to have the local vet’s number to hand should your dog need medical assistance while you are visiting. And in our neck of the woods, Bakewell Veterinary Clinic or Overdale Veterinary Centre are the places to go. These clinic’s have dedicated team of vets which promise the best level of care for your animals, however large or small.
Bakewell Veterinary Clinic Ltd
Milford Farm
Mill Street
Bakewell DE45 1DX
01629 812744
Buxton branch
New Market Street
Buxton SK17 6LP
01298 23499
Hope Valley branch
Marsh Farm
Castleton Road
Hope S33 6SB
01298 23499
You've made it! You have settled into your lovely Peak District holiday..now where to go with your four legged friends?
The Peak District is a very welcoming place and there are loads of pubs and cafes that accepts dogs. Here are a few of our favourites.
The Packhorse, Little Longstone
This is a fantastic rustic pub a short walk from the Monsal Trail and Monsal Head - ideal easy walking routes. It serves very good food and local beer, and dogs and muddy boots are welcome. The pub is highly recommended, both by the #peakvenuespups and the whole team at PV HQ. Booking is recommended if you’re eating.
This Bridge is another of our favourites and ideal for walks up, down and around the upper Derwent river. It manages to be stylish, yet with a down-to-earth atmosphere, offering something a little different to the local norm. They have taken the Mediterranean ‘sharing’ approach to heart and serve tapas with a twist. But if that’s not your cup of tea, they also have more traditional fare, and serve roasts on Sunday. There’s a great riverside garden with lots of well-spaced tables. Dogs are welcome throughout the pub, in the bar, the garden and the restaurant. Look out for the landlord’s cockapoo Flossy who will be happy to show you where the canine treat pot can be found.
Perched above Lathkill Dale, on the edge of Over Haddon, there has been a pub here since 1828 when it was the watering hole of local lead miners. Today, it offers great views across the fields and is a stone’s throw from the pretty and spectacular limestone walking territory of Lathkill Dale. It is dog and muddy boot-friendly, with a cosy bar area and a restaurant.
Dogs are welcome both inside and out, and a fresh bowl of water awaits all canine customers at this traditional family-run pub. The pub stands at the centre of the picturesque hamlet of Foolow close to the duckpond, with a backdrop of rolling Peak District hills and dry stone walls. All the food is homemade with roasts on Sundays. The Bull’s Head is a great stepping off point for walks up onto Bretton Edge and even as far as the plague village of Eyam.
The Plough Inn, Hathersage
A great spot for walkers with dogs, this 16th century pub has a nine-acre garden which gently slopes down to the River Derwent. It is a perfect half-way pit stop on a walk from Grindleford (park in the sports field car park) along the north side of the river to Hathersage. Walk over Leadmill Bridge to get to the pub and then retrace your steps back along the river to rejoin your car. Takes 45 mins to an hour each way.
A traditional village pub in the centre of the pretty village of Monyash, this establishment is very dog-friendly with at least three or four dogs in the bar area most of the time! Dogs are also welcome in the pool room, but the more elegant dining rooms are dog-free zones. Great pub food, good portions and lots of 'specials'. There is a large play area for kids out the back and a beer garden, should the sun come out! The pub is close to lots of local walks and is one of our favourites in the area.
This contemporary restaurant serves delicious home-made pizzas, burgers and salads. The friendly staff welcome dogs in the garden and areas of the restaurant and provide water and biscuits for your furry friend. It’s light and airy and the outside boasts a gin bar in the summer. It is conveniently close to the main car parks in Bakewell and within easy reach of walks along Coombs Road and into the woods.
Fox House is the place to rest your weary legs after a walk over the iron-age fortifications of Carl Wark, up Higgar Tor and back via Burbage Edge. Dogs are allowed in the bar area and there are treats and water on hand to make your dog feel welcome. Food-wise there’s something for everyone here including a generous vegan menu. After a rest, head south - well why not? - and enjoy White Edge, Curbar Edge and a return via Froggatt Edge.
The Flying Childers Inn, Stanton-in-the-Peak
Named after a champion racehorse owned by the 4th Duke of Devonshire, this is a charming, old-fashioned pub with beamed ceilings and a friendly atmosphere. It sits in the heart of the village and serves lunches 12-2pm Wednesday to Sunday, washed down with local beers and dogs are welcome. Please note it only serves light lunches 12-2pm Wednesday to Sunday.
Dog friendly Cafes
We love this cafe! The food is wonderful and the service very friendly. They are known for their triple-certified coffee (Fair-trade, Organic and Rainforest Alliance approved), inventive lunches and delicious cakes. We defy you not to try one! They welcome walkers, dogs and cyclists equally enthusiastically (they have bike racks and pumps!). Nab a table outside if you have a large dog as the café itself is bijou. They are proud supporters of #MyPeakCup - a campaign to reduce waste, plastics and litter in the Peak District National Park and offer a discount if you bring your own reusable cup. It’s a great place to start, or finish, a ramble around Eyam, the famous plague village.
Jolly’s Catering Company, Curbar
Jolly’s Catering operates from Louis, a lovingly restored 1981 vintage Citroen H van named after his first owner Louis Durand from Toulouse. Louis can be found most weekends at Curbar Gap car park serving freshly ground coffee, tea, delicious homemade cakes (including vegan and gluten-free options) and enormous (also homemade) dog biscuits. Enjoy your pick-me-up at one of the bistro tables or sit on the grassy bank and watch the world go by. Check their social media feeds before you visit to make sure Louis isn’t having a day off - he needs them occasionally as he is an old boy!
Hassop Station Café
Hassop Station Café is an award-winning café, on the edge of Bakewell, serving locally sourced food from a delicious and extensive menu. All the food is good, the portions are generous and there is a great, simple kids menu too. While dogs aren’t allowed inside, there are several eating areas outside: a sun terrace overlooking the Monsal Trail, a large canopied seating area with dog tethers and bowls and more tables near the children’s play area. The old station café is perfectly placed for meanders along the former Midland Railway line, the Monsal Trail, which is now an 8.5 mile, traffic-free, route for walkers, dogs, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users through some of the Peak District’s spectacular limestone dales. Head right for a longer walk towards Blackwell Mill in Chee Dale or right for a shorter stroll to Bakewell itself or the woods along Coombs Road.
This is your archetypal greasy spoon in the Peaks. They serve a mean fry-up, a bulging bacon butty, fantastic chips and some pretty good cakes too - all washed down with pints of tea. Yes, pints! There is a great seating area outside and even a covered section if the weather is wet. Dogs are welcome and there are water bowls too. Perfect for a stop off after rambling through the woods at Padley Gorge. FB: @grindlefordcafe
Charlie’s breakfasts are legendary and this is a favourite brunch destination for locals.. Dogs are welcomed throughout the day and evening and there are tables outside if you or your four-legged friend prefers the outdoor air. Treat yourself after a meander up Baslow Edge.
For a slice of the real Derbyshire life where locals and visitors enjoy great food, and a great atmosphere you simply must visit the Yondermann Cafe. Famed for its truck stop position on the A623 and being a favourite spot for bikers, don't be fooled by its unassuming exterior. A warm welcome awaits inside the cafe which has been running for 60 years and serves arguably the best breakfasts in Derbyshire as well as lunch and homemade cakes. Dogs are welcome in the large outdoor seating area at the back of the cafe. Or pop in and pick up a takeaway breakfast to kick start your Peak District adventures.
Pet Friendly Attractions
As well as the wealth of wonderful walks to be done (see our blog on top 10 dog walks), the Peak District is also home to some great attractions. Here are a few of our dog-friendly favourites.
Although it sits just outside the Peak District, Crich Tramway Village is a great family - and dog-friendly - visitor attraction and well worth a visit. It is home to the National Tramway Museum which boasts over 60 trams built between 1873 and 1982, set within a period village containing a pub, cafe, old-style sweetshop and tram depots. The museum's collection of trams runs through the village-setting with visitors transported one-mile out into the local countryside and back. The Village prides itself on being a dog-friendly attraction. Dogs are allowed on the trams and if they don’t fancy that they can enjoy the Woodland Walk and Sculpture Trail. There's also a gift shop, children's play areas, exhibitions and workshop viewing gallery.
Chatsworth welcomes well-behaved dogs throughout the garden and park. It is a wonderful place to explore with open countryside and woods, as well as the magnificent and extensive formal gardens surrounding the house. If you’re lucky you may well come across Chatsworth’s own dog Henry, a photogenic Goldendoodle with a 15k strong following on instagram. Check his account out @chatswoof and post your own photos using the #chatswoof hashtag. Chatsworth do ask you to keep your pet on a lead at all times due to the wildlife and livestock roaming the grounds. Dogs are not allowed in the house because of the fragile nature of some of the items on display, nor are they permitted in the farmyard or the playground, with the exception of service dogs. However, there are posts where you can tie up your dog outside the farmyard and near the Game Larder and there are doggy drinking stations near the toilets, at the gate leading to the house entrance and in the Stables courtyard. Chatsworth host some major and dog-friendly events each year including the Chatsworth Country Fair ( end of August) and the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials (mid May), a three-day event of world class equestrian sport combined with entertainment for all the family.
Peveril Castle is one of England's earliest Norman fortresses and its imposing ruins sit high above the village of Castleton in the heart of the Peak District National Park. The keep was built by Henry II in 1176.Climb to the castle at the top of the hill for amazing views over the Hope Valley and learn about the history of Peveril from interactive displays in the Visitor Centre. Essential conservation work is being carried out on the Keep so unfortunately this section is currently closed. You’ll find all the latest information on their website. Unfortunately the castle site itself is not accessible for people with walking problems or those in wheelchairs, although the Visitor Centre is.
Photo credits - special thanks goes to:
- Carole Chessun for her photo of her terrier on Curbar Edge - (Image 2)
- Matt Bush for the image of the chocolate Labrador relaxing in front of the fire at The Royal Oak (image 6)
- Marita Oury image of The Bridge Inn - (Image 7)
- Jolly Catering Company (Image 8)
Published on January 30, 2020 in