15 Splendid dog friendly pubs in Skipton

Dog friendly pubs
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Skipton sits at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making this market town the “paw-fect” base for a weekend away filled with walkies over wild and rugged landscapes.

The town itself is a great getaway, packed with history including its own castle, markets, and plenty of independent eateries and bars. Whatever’s brought you to town, you’ll need to quench your thirst and we’ve rounded up 15 dog-friendly pubs in Skipton for you to try.

The Woolly Sheep Inn

Just off the high street is The Woolly Sheep Inn. It’s not the biggest pub, but it’s cosy and characterful and you and the pooch can curl up by the fire inside, sun yourselves in the garden, or even rest your head in a pet-friendly guest room.

The menu is a little limited but packed full of exciting flavours and lush ingredients. It’s certainly better than typical pub grub since the mouthwatering mains include dishes like roasted lamb rump, venison haunch or a fillet of sea bass.

Yorkshire Rose

The Yorkshire Rose marries antique charm and contemporary comfort. Ale aficionados should hunt this one out because they’re casque mark accredited, and any gin-hound will love their massive stock of Whitley Neill.

The Rose is another historic family and dog-friendly pub in Skipton beloved by locals and famous for serving up hearty home cooked food to fill your boots before walkies on the Dales.

The Bay Horse

A short drive south of town and you’ll find The Bay Horse, run by Vintage Inns. As with most venues in this chain, muddy boots and paws are welcome inside the bar.

This is one of the most dog-friendly pubs in Skipton, with jars of free “doggy bar snacks” for you to dip into, bowls of water aplenty, and even bottles of doggy beer on sale to treat your best bud. It’s right beside the canal too, so you and the pooch could enjoy walkies along the towpath to this charming country pub.

The Cock and Bottle

The Cock and Bottle claims to be the friendliest local in town, and they live up to it! They’ve been in the top 20 pubs in Yorkshire for a few years running and deliver everything you’d ever expect from a proper Yorkshire pub, including heaping portions of mouth-watering, homely food, and super friendly service.

This family and furry friendly pub received a lot of TLC over lockdown and the place looks lovelier than ever.

The Albion

Although the sign at The Albion says dog-friendly, hounds are only allowed inside the pub after 5pm. Any earlier, and you’ll need to sit outside with the pup. (We imagine it’s because food service stops at 6).

Kids are welcome any time into this traditional Victorian pub, and the biggest draw is the large sun trap of a beer garden ideal for soaking up the last of the rays alongside a cold pint.

The Narrow Boat

Tucked away up a cute cobbled side street is The Narrow Boat, and this hidden gem is easy to miss despite being in the town centre! It’s worth sniffing out since this spacious pub is a self-proclaimed beer lover’s paradise with their constantly-changing craft beer offering and one of the biggest gin ranges in town.

This dog-friendly pub in Skipton is happy for you to bring the pooch inside to find a pew to perch on, on an actual pew might I add.

The Railway

The Railway is both a pub, a restaurant, and a B&B, and they’re pet-friendly just about everywhere inside! Well-behaved dogs on leads can sit with you while you dine and are more than welcome to stay the night with their humans.

Unlike a lot of pubs, the inside of The Railway is bright, light, and airy which makes it just as “paw-fect” for a casual coffee and catch-up in the day as it is for dinner and a dram by night.

The Craven Heifer

If you’re staying in the Tarn Moor holiday park or just enjoying walkies in the woodland, The Craven Heifer is in the ideal spot for a pit-stop. Expect modern country pub vibes and delicious food at this gastropub, including the most sumptuous Sunday lunch in Skipton.

Although the restaurant is off-limits for Lucky, the bar and guest rooms are dog-friendly and every pup through the doors gets a fuss and bowl of water.

Two Sisters

The Two Sisters is a fabulous bar and kitchen worth popping into at any time of day whether you’re after a breakfast pizza, mid-morning coffee and cake, or a nightcap. Humans and hounds of all ages are welcome inside, and the dogs get a good fuss and sometimes a special treat from the kitchen if their human asks nicely.

It’s a cosy home from home and there’s something for everyone amongst the extensive menu of fine fresh food, gluts of gin, local craft beers, or wonderful wines from around the world.

  • Address: 3A Mill Bridge, BD23 1NJ

  • Opening Times: Mon-Tue: Closed / Wed-Thu: 12:00-22:00 / Fri-Sat: 10:00-23:00 / Sun: 10:00-18:00

The Beer Engine

Although The Beer Engine is only small, it stocks far more beers and ales than most bars and you’re sure to find a new bev to try every time you come in.

It’s wet-only, aside from a few basic bar snacks, so the focus is on beer-illiant drinks in a laid back atmosphere with the odd live music night. Children and dogs are always welcome inside despite the compact space, or you can sit outside on one of the upcycled kegs!

The Royal Shepherd Inn

The Royal Shepherd is in prime position alongside the canal and this 17th-century pub has a rather colourful past. It’s allegedly haunted by the ghost of a murdered man, as well as the apparition of a woman and her haunting hound called “Tag” who still go for walkies along the towpath to this day!

Ghosts aside, the locals and staff are positively lovely and there’s a jovial, warm vibe inside this homely watering hole, not least because new pub dog Josh is there to greet you!

The Bull

The Bull is harboured within the gorgeous landscaped grounds of the Broughton Hall Estate and from the outside, you’d be forgiven for passing it by thinking it’s just a cottage!

This handsome stone pub is snug and pleasantly bright inside, with a host of friendly staff who are always happy to help and check every member of the family is comfortable, including the dog. They’ll fetch some water for Fido so everyone can quench their thirst after walkies.

  • Address: Broughton, BD23 3AE

  • Opening Times: Mon-Thu: 11:00-21:30 / Fri-Sat: 11:00-23:00 / Sun: 11:00-20:00

The Castle Inn

If you’re looking for a traditional Yorkshire pub to enjoy a pint in, head to The Castle Inn. It’s steeped in history and character and stocked to the rafters with quaffable ales and spirits.

If you couldn’t guess, this pub’s the closest one to the castle so you and the family can pop inside after exploring the magnificent Norman fort. It’s one of the most dog-friendly pubs in Skipton too, with free treats and water bowls at the ready and the staff love to fuss a pup.

Cavendish Arms

Just a mile outside of town, you could enjoy walkies out to The Cavendish Arms. This quaint country pub borders the beautiful landscapes of the national park and Nidderdale, so there are even more hikes you and the hound can enjoy in the area.

You could also hop off the steam railway or stroll down to enjoy their annual classic car show, before heading inside with the pooch for a pint before hometime.

The Black Horse

Right on the high street keeping watch over the war memorial is The Black Horse. Your pooch is welcome to sit inside with you at this dog-friendly pub in Skipton, but the suntrap of a garden might win you over with its views over the canal.

Wherever you sit, there’s plenty of room to relax. The only downside is that they don’t have dog bowls, but if you bring your own they’re happy to fill it up for you.

More pubs: Leeds, York, Yorkshire