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Pet Friendly Places in York

Pet Friendly places in York

If you can’t bear to leave your pet at home when you travel, you need to find some places where it’s possible for you to take them. York has plenty of pet-friendly options so your beloved animal doesn’t need to miss out on all the fun you’re having. Here’s a guide to the best pet-friendly places in York. Attractions City Cruises York Offering a number of cruises along the River Ouse, including dining, daytime and evening sightseeing cruises, City Cruises York allow you to bring your pet on board for the ride too. As you sail past the stunning scenery of this beautiful city, you will learn interesting facts about York’s history delivered by experienced skippers. You might even spot some of the local wildlife, such as kingfishers.

The Original Ghost Walk York York has a long, varied and sometimes dark and bloody history, and there’s no better way to get to know it than joining one of the many ghost walks that take place in the evenings. One such experience - where you're able to take your pet along - is the Original Ghost Walk of York, where you will be told stories of the spirits who walk the streets after dark, such as that of the lost boy who haunts a number of sites in the city, and that of James Reid, a man executed for treason simply for playing his bagpipes. If your pet doesn’t get too spooked, animals are welcomed on the tour. York Maze Not only is York Maze Europe’s biggest maize maze, it’s also an award-winning attraction. With over 20 rides, attractions and shows, York Maze makes a great day out for all the family. The mazes include the giant maize maze, the maze of illusions, the mineshaft maze and the finger fortune maze. Other attractions include the volcorno, the cobstacle course and the corn snake tower slides. There’s even a shop, the Ivy Store, where you can buy all manner of unique, maze-related gifts. Dogs are allowed as long as they are kept on their leads at all times.

Yorkshire Air Museum Located a short 20-minute drive out of York, the Yorkshire Air Museum is housed on the site of the former RAF Elvington base, a World War II airfield used by Allied bomber crews. As well as being an Allied Air Forces Memorial, it is the largest air museum in Britain featuring a number of exhibits on the history of aviation. The museum has around 50 aircraft, the oldest dating back to 1853. Dogs on leads are welcome so it's another good pet-friendly experience for you to enjoy. Yorkshire Museum of Farming Only a 15-minute drive from the centre of York, the Yorkshire Museum of Farming at Murton Park has fascinating exhibits on the history of farming, with items dating from the early 1800s to the 1960s. One of their most interesting displays is on the Women’s Land Army during World War I, a time when women took over the working of the land whilst the men were fighting in the trenches. Again, dogs are completely welcome on the condition they are on their leads. Cafes Fossgate Social Located on one of the most ancient streets in York, Fossgate Social is a licensed coffee bar hidden away in the city’s foodie quarter. They have a great menu of open sourdoughs, brunches, home-made cakes and pancakes; they are also well-known for their speciality coffee, craft beer and cocktails. Pets are welcome.

2 Oxford Place on Gillygate The only 100% gluten free cafe in York, 2 Oxford Place on Gillygate offer brunch and lunch Tuesdays to Saturdays, with Fridays and Saturdays also opening later for dinner. At weekends, they offer a bottomless brunch, which makes for a perfect weekend treat. As well as being completely gluten free, they also have many vegetarian, vegan and dairy free options. If you fancy taking some of the bread home with you, it is possible to buy it in their bread shop. Lucky Days Cafe One of the top rated cafes on Trip Advisor, Lucky Days Cafe is a great lunchtime venue, with a good selection of soups, sandwiches and other lunches. It also has the advantage of being very reasonably priced – no mean feat in a city like York. Their coffee and cakes also come highly recommended and dogs are welcome. Restaurants The Nook A cute little street food kitchen serving fare from all around the world, The Nook is a great place to relax with your pooch. They take great care over their food and drink, making every dish fresh to order and serving a selection of ethical soft drinks, craft beers, quality spirits and seasonal wines. The Nook also have a number of live events in order to engage with the local community. Ambiente Tapas Ambiente Tapas have two locations in York, one on Goodramgate and the other on Fossgate, and both are dog-friendly. Sourcing their produce from Spain as well as from local producers, they serve delicious tapas in a lively, relaxed atmosphere. Try one of the sharing platters for a quintessential Spanish experience. Filmore and Union If you like your food natural and wholesome, Filmore and Union makes a great choice. Located in one of the oldest buildings in York, they serve breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, all with the finest, freshest produce. They do a fantastic Sunday brunch menu; it’s highly recommended that you try their pancakes. Pubs The Cross Keys Conveniently close to York Minster and Jorvik Viking Centre, the Cross Keys is a snug, cosy, traditional pub in York’s historic centre. With a menu featuring all British pub grub favourites and more, and the very best of cask and craft ales, this pub makes a great stop for a meal and drinks after a hard day's sightseeing. Duke of York At the top of the historic street the Shambles, you will find the Duke of York, a pub packed with charm. They are part of the Leeds Brewery, which pride themselves on the quality and range of their selection of beer. They also serve hearty dishes made with locally sourced produce whenever possible. Ye Olde Starre Inne Believed to be the oldest licensed premises in the city, the Ye Olde Starre Inne dates back to 1644 and is a real part of York’s history. They always have eight real ales on tap, a great pie selection and some of the best fish and chips in all of York. In summer, your dog will find ice cubes in their water bowl to keep them extra cool. Shambles Tavern The Shambles Tavern has an impressive selection of ales – 120 to be exact, and all brewed in Yorkshire. They even have their own beers, including the Shambles Tavern Light, Dark, Bitter and Cider. Their outdoor seating area overlooks the market place, making it the ideal spot for people-spotting and just watching the world go by. The Ackhorne Inn It could be said that the Ackhorne Inn is the most dog-friendly pub in York. If you’re ordering food, it’s not uncommon for the staff to ask you what your dog is eating too. They have plenty of dog treats behind the bar, as well as water bowls to keep your pet refreshed. For the human clientele, there’s lots of Yorkshire ales to choose from. With a whole host of places to go, there’s no reason why your pet can’t join you on your trip to York.

Travel Tip created by Helen Thomas in association with Vacation Soup

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Top 21 Things to do for Free in York

York is one of the UK’s gems. A wonderfully preserved medieval city, walking down its cobbled streets is like taking a trip into the past. With a wealth of attractions, you could happily spend a couple of weeks in York and not get bored. Even better, there’s an abundance of free activities to do and places to visit. Here’s a guide to the top 21 things to do for free in York.

Outdoor Spaces and Activities

The Shambles Possibly the most famous part of York, The Shambles is an old street in the city centre with a number of overhanging timber-framed buildings, some of which date back to the 14th century. The name comes from its old Anglo-Saxon name Fleshammels, literally translating to ‘flesh-shelves’, as the street used to be filled with butchers’ shops and it was possible to see the cuts of meat hanging in the windows. Now the butchers’ shops don’t exist, but as you walk down this delightful cobblestone street, you will find a great mix of shops and restaurants. The street is also the location of the home of Saint Margaret Clitherow, who was married to a butcher on the street and was pressed to death for harbouring Catholic priests; you can still see the priest hole fireplace where she hid priests at number ten, now a cufflinks shop.

The Snickelways As well as the Shambles, there are dozens of small streets running off the main thoroughfares in the city centre of York. Most of these narrow streets, big enough only for pedestrians to pass down, are medieval, although a few are more modern. The name ‘Snickelways’ is a portmanteau of the words snicket, ginnel and alleyway, coined by Mark W. Jones in 1983. It is cool to wander around the city seeking out all these little streets which usually have quirky names like Mad Alice Lane, Pope’s Head Alley and Grape Lane. York City Walls The impressive city walls of York have guarded the city for over 700 years. At approximately two miles long, they are the longest medieval walls in England. A walk along the walls takes about two hours and takes you past five main gateways, one Victorian gateway, one postern and 45 towers. Free Guided Walking Tours There are a number of companies which offer free walking tours of the city. The Association of Voluntary Guides leads a two-hour tour taking you past some of York’s biggest attractions and sights, including York Minster, Monk Bar, St Mary’s Abbey and The Shambles, as well as telling you many stories about the city and its history. The great thing about this tour company is that not only is the tour completely free, they don’t insist on tips either. Other walking tour companies to consider are: White Rose York Tours; Footprints Tours; and Strawberry Tours. The Cat Trail Since records began in the city of York, cats have been considered lucky and have played a major part in city life. For about two centuries, statues of cats have been placed on buildings in an attempt to frighten away rats and mice and therefore reduce the risk of disease; they were also believed to ward off evil spirits and generally to bring good luck to the occupants of the property. It is possible to download a Cat Trail map from the website of the Cat Gallery; not only will you be able to seek out the cats of York, but it will take you past some of the most beautiful parts of the city. Shambles Market In the heart of the city is Shambles Market, a vibrant market consisting of 85 different stalls selling a wide variety goods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, clothing, books, cosmetics, flowers, crafts and gifts. There’s also a really great street food area; be sure to try out the North African and Levantine food. The market is open seven days a week from 7am. Shakespeare’s Village Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre is Europe’s first pop-up theatre. Although you have to pay for the plays which are performed, it is free to wander around the Shakespeare’s Village the theatre is set in. Located in the car park next to Clifford’s Tower, the village captures the atmosphere of a medieval village, with oak-framed, reed-thatched buildings offering the finest Yorkshire food and drink along with wagon entertainment, minstrels and even a lovely Elizabethan garden with flower and herb beds. The theatre and village only pop up in York during the summer months; in 2019, the village and performances will start in June and run until the beginning of September. Museums and Libraries National Railway Museum One of the city’s most popular museums, the National Railway Museum is the largest museum of its kind in Britain. The museum details the history of rail transport and the impact it has had on society. It has a collection of over 100 locomotives and around 300 other items connected with trains and railways. Some of the most impressive trains in its collection include: a 1938 Mallard; a working replica of the steam locomotive the Rocket; an 1846 Coppernob; and a 1976 Shinkansen bullet train, the only one on display outside of Japan. Other highlights of the museum are: the George Cross medal awarded posthumously to train driver Wallace Oakes for staying on a burning train after it had been involved in an accident; the Royal trains, including a carriage that was used by Queen Victoria; and the warehouse, which houses a permanent exhibition telling the story of the Flying Scotsman.

The Bar Convent Founded in 1686, the Bar Convent is England’s oldest living convent. Originally founded as a school for girls, it still has members of the Congregation of Jesus living there today. Housed in grade I-listed 18th-century buildings, they are open to the public. Here you can visit an exhibition on the interesting history of the convent; at the time the convent was founded, practising Catholicism was very dangerous, so the ladies who lived there had to be very secretive about what they were doing. You will learn about radical nun Mary Ward who traversed the Alps twice on foot and get the chance to hide yourself in a priest hole. There’s also a cafe and accommodation on site.

Parks and Gardens Rowntree Park Located just a 10- to 15-minute walk south of the city centre, Rowntree Park is a wonderful place to take a long stroll. As well as the well-kept gardens, there is also a lake, canal and water cascade which are home to a number of swans, ducks and Canada geese. There are plenty of facilities to make use of, such as tennis courts, a skate park, a basketball court and bowling greens. If the weather is nice, there are also some picnic areas for you to enjoy a meal in the sun. Kids will enjoy the excellent play area which has climbing frames and a zip wire. Dean’s Park Located north of York Minster, the main draw of Dean’s Park is that it offers spectacular views of this fabulous church. Although you need to pay to enter the Minster, it is free to admire the wonderful exterior. It’s a lovely spot to take some time to relax during a hard day’s sightseeing, and during the summer there are places to buy ice cream and soft drinks. Yorkshire Museum Gardens and Observatory Set in the grounds of St Mary’s Abbey, Yorkshire Museum Gardens is a great way to enjoy some peace and quiet in the middle of the city. There’s a lot of things to see in the gardens. It houses the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire, built between 1832 and 1833; the telescope inside was built by Thomas Cooke, the man who went on to build what was then the largest telescope in the world. The observatory is also home to a clock dating back to 1811 which tells the time based on the positioning of the stars; it is the clock that all others in the city were set by back in the 19th century. There is also an abundance of flora and 40 species of bird to spot. Homestead Park One of the most beautiful natural areas of the city, Homestead Park is located in Clifton, 1 ½ miles from the city centre. The park’s main features include: a wild flower meadow; a tree-lined avenue; herbaceous and extensive shrub borders; and the Backhouse pond and rock garden. There’s loads of facilities for children in the popular play area, such as a paddling pool, table tennis, a monkey gym and helter skelter rides. The park also offer leaflets with different walks, such as several tree-trail walks and a wildlife walk. Yorkshire Lavender Technically not in York itself but only a short 15-mile drive away, Yorkshire Lavender Gardens and Specialist Plant Nursery offers some of the best views in the county, being set in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As well as the award-winning lavender gardens, there is a sculpture park to explore, a lavender maze to get lost in, a sensory garden, and Highland cattle and lambs to pet. Churches York St Mary’s Dating back to 1020, this beautiful medieval church is known for having the city’s tallest spire, standing at 47 metres high. Having been consecrated in 1958, it spent a few decades as a heritage centre before being transformed into a contemporary art gallery in 2004. Exhibitions change regularly and the church makes an ambient place to view the artworks. St Michael le Belfry Known primarily as the church where Guy Fawkes was baptised in 1570, St Michael le Belfry is an impressive building. It is free to enter but tours of the church are run entirely by volunteers, so it is best to check before you visit whether it is possible for you to enter. St Mary’s Abbey Established in 1088, St Mary’s Abbey was once one of the wealthiest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England. The history of the abbey connects two very important events in England’s history: the abbey was built by order of William the Conqueror as a way of exerting control of the north, and was destroyed under the reign of Henry VIII as a consequence of his Reformation of the church. Visitors can see the remains of the nave and crossing of the abbey church. The walls surrounding the abbey, built in the 1260s, are considered to be the most complete set of abbey walls in the country.

Festivals and Events York Food and Drink Festival One of the most popular festivals in the city, the York Food and Drink Festival is running three events in 2019: the Chocolate Festival in April; the Taster Festival in June; and the main festival in September. It’s a complete not-for-profit event; the festivals and demos are free to enter and any money that is made from food and drinks sales goes back into funding for the festival the next year. Their aim is to promote local food and drink producers, to put York on the map as a culinary destination and to provide educational workshops on food and cooking.

Jorvik Viking Festival Possibly the city’s most famous festival, the Jorvik Viking Festival celebrates York’s history as a Viking settlement. It takes place in February every year to coincide with the Viking festival of ‘Jolablot’, which was a celebration to say goodbye to winter and herald the coming of spring. Although you have to pay for some of the events, there are also free events during the week-long festivities. Events include workshops, talks and re-enactments. York Festival of Traditional Dance Taking place in September every year, for two days you will hear the sounds of jingling bells, tapping clogs and clashing sticks during the York Festival of Traditional Dance. Throughout the city you will see over 100 dancers and musicians performing a wide variety of dance styles. York Christmas Market From November to December every year, York is transformed into even more of a wonderland than it usually is. Tens of wooden chalets set up shop selling all kinds of festive goods. The Christmas standards of mulled wine, hot chestnuts and grilled sausages can be found all around the city centre. Kids will love Santa’s grotto and adults will love Thor’s Tipi, a Scandi pop-up bar complete with warm open fires and cosy fur hides. York is a stunning city to visit whatever the season. And with this list of free things to do, you can enjoy the city for less.