Nobody who owns a dog likes having to leave them at home when enjoying a day out. Unfortunately, there are many places that do not allow our furry friends to visit. This makes bringing them along difficult.
Thankfully, Northumberland is a county that has many dog friendly attractions. This is great considering all of the outstanding natural beauty there is to discover on your walks together. To help you plan your day out, we’ve come up with our five favourite dog friendly places to visit in Northumberland. Read on to find out more.
Dog Friendly Places to Visit in Northumberland
Dunstanburgh Castle, Craster
Fancy mixing a healthy dose of history with a chance to stretch your dog’s legs? Look no further than a trip to the scenic Dunstanburgh Castle near Craster. Set on the edge of the rugged Northumbrian coastline, the castle is located 1.3 miles from the fishing village. This will give you both the chance to get out and enjoy some sea air.
The route runs alongside long stretches of beach. A great opportunity for your dog to have some off-the-leash fun near the surf. Want to make an afternoon of it? You can extend your trek further up the coast to Low Newton. A dog-friendly route recommended by The National Trust.
The castle itself is a haunting ruin and definitely worth a visit. Construction on the fortress began in 1313. Its active lifespan saw it besieged numerous times, leaving a fascinating history to learn about. On the way back from the castle, you should certainly stop in Craster to try their local speciality. Smoked kippers — the perfect late breakfast to renew your energy.
Twice Brewed Inn, Bardon Mill
In the shadow of Steel Rigg, one of the most spectacular sections of Hadrian’s Wall is Twice Brewed Inn. An outstanding pub that is also completely happy to welcome dogs. This cosy inn is the perfect place to relax after taking a long walk together along the wall. Enjoy the roaring fire and great atmosphere, while refreshing yourselves with a nice pint or a bowl of water. We’ll let you decide who gets what!
Twice Brewed has a fantastic selection of local real ales and a menu of locally sourced home-cooked food. In fine weather, it’s possible to sit outside and enjoy a bit of sun in the beer garden. From here you can take in the spectacular views of the wall.
With on site parking, the pub is a great stop off point on your way to or from the nearby Housesteads Roman fort site, which is also dog friendly.
Old Gaol, Hexham
The pretty riverside town of Hexham has a dark secret that you can both explore — its Old Gaol, which housed prisoners for around 500 years. A perfect attraction for families who are fans of programmes like Horrible Histories and well-behaved dogs are allowed entry too.
The museum has plenty of interactive exhibits, giving you the chance to learn about the Gaol’s gruesome past. You can even try your hand at the role of a prison guard, or for those of the brave of heart, a prisoner, with a chance to try the stockade if you dare. There is also a gift shop just in case you want to bring a souvenir of your visit home with you too.
The town of Hexham itself is a nice place to explore with your dog, with friendly pubs like the Tap and Spile, and plenty of opportunity for some riverside walkies.
Heighley Gate, a Wyevale Garden Centre
If you’re looking for some retail therapy that you can also share with the pooch, the Wyevale Garden Centre at Heighley Gate is one of the UK’s biggest garden centres and also extremely dog friendly. Here, you can both enjoy the pleasant surrounds of the centre as you take in their impressive range of plants, shrubs, trees, and garden furniture, among the many other things on offer.
The perfect place to go if you want to bring back some bits for your garden during your visit. It’s also a great alternative to motorway services if you are travelling through. There’s even an in-store pet shop. Ideal in case you need to pick up a few supplies or just a nice treat for your dog.
Northumberlandia, Cramlington
Located near Cramlington, Northumberlandia is a country park like no other. With a giant landscaped sculpture carved into the hillside upon which you and your dog can take an enjoyable stroll. The spectacular man-made formation is designed to resemble a reclining lady. It is made of 1.5 million tonnes of rock, clay, and soil, measures around 100 feet in height, and a quarter of a mile long.
This piece of public art is the ideal excuse to get outside and get some fresh air. It is also great for taking in a bit of culture too. Dogs are welcome in the park as long as they are kept on a lead. They will enjoy taking in the contouring paths that encircle the formation as much as you. Open ‘dawn until dusk’, Northumberlandia is great for a visit at any time of the day.
Dog Friendly Holidays
There you have our five dog friendly places to visit in Northumberland, with each one full of culture, history, and natural beauty and well worth a visit if you find yourself in the region. For a selection of dog friendly holidays in Northumberland, please take a look at Dogs Invited.
Blog post courtesy of Wyevale Garden Centres who offer a wide range of quality plants and gardening equipment in all of their 152 centres situated across England and Wales. They are very passionate about gardening and love helping customers get the most out of their outdoor space.
Wyevale are proud to say that their centres are dog friendly and many of their centres also have substantial traffic-free outdoor areas where dogs can run around and get some of their energy spent before they have to get back into the car! Not only are dogs welcome in their stores, but their friendly staff can offer advice and tips on the right plants for your dog-friendly garden.