Home to the dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey and its 199 Steps, a sandy shore and restaurants famed for their seafood and oysters, Whitby is a very worthy candidate for a getaway on the North Yorkshire coast.
However, there’s one family member that’s likely to enjoy the delightful rugged coastline, undulating countryside and town centre the most. With so many dog-friendly holiday cottages in Whitby, your four-legged friend is the perfect adventure companion in Whitby.
Put down roots in an idyllic coastal bolt by the dramatic north sea or in a Victorian townhouse in the lively town centre. With more pet-friendly cottage options available such as a cosy barn conversion on a North Yorkshire farm or a fisherman’s cottage next to Whitby harbour, the tricky part is deciding where to stay exactly. Handily, the following dog-friendly cottages in Yorkshire are some of the finest holiday homes out there. Better yet, they are ideally situated for activities such as fishing at Robin Hood’s Bay, mountain biking in the North York Moors National Park or hiking over the coastal path along the Yorkshire coastline.
The Top 6 Dog-Friendly Whitby Holiday Cottages:
1. The Station House (Ruswarp, North York Moors & Coast)
2. Salt Bay (Whitby, North York Moors & Coast)
3. 1 Burns Yard (Whitby, North York Moors & Coast)
4. Maplebeck (Whitby, North York Moors & Coast)
5. Kirkby House (Whitby, North York Moors & Coast)
6. Shipswheel Cottage at Broadings Farm (Whitby, North York Moors & Coast)
The Station House
Location: Ruswarp, North York Moors & Coast
Best for: A historic Victorian conversion in a beautiful village
A Grade II-listed Victorian station converted into a historic holiday home, The Station House is no ordinary pet-friendly cottage in North Yorkshire. If it wasn’t already enough that guests get to stay in a charming village just over one mile from the historic town of Whitby, the dog-friendly cottage is also historic. It was once part of a Victorian train station and a station master’s house. The steam engines may not be there anymore, but some historic features still remain as a reminder of its past, including a stained-glass window, mullioned windows, a slate fireplace and invitingly high ceilings.
The Station House has plenty of traditional charm, however, its location makes it just as desirable. Ideally situated for groups with dogs, the village of Ruswarp has a butcher and a pub where you can sample the local ales and old-fashioned pub grub. The North York Moors National Park is a short drive away and has countless options for forest trails. Even more importantly, the picture postcard location of Whitby Abbey is a 40-minute walk away from the village. Call by the town’s sandy shore or picturesque harbour while you’re in the area to taste the fresh oysters and seafood.
Facilities: The Station House has plenty of charm, whether it’s the romantic four-poster bed and antique-style furniture of the master bedroom, the fish-themed wallpaper in the bathroom or the pink plants that brighten up the outside of the property. Sink into one of two sofas in the living room, and nurse a cup of hot coffee beside the woodburning stove while the dogs nap in front of the fire. French doors lead to two outdoor courtyards, where there’s outdoor furniture and a barbecue. Seared vegetables and smoky sausages will make a great home-cooked alternative to the local pub, which offers food and a warm welcome across the road.
Salt Bay
Location: Whitby, North York Moors & Coast
Best for: A contemporary two-bedroom home with a hot tub
Set over the River Esk, Salt Bay oozes with style and sophistication. A large garage and a short flight of stairs welcome guests to the property, and once you’re on the ground level, the sheer size of the outdoor space becomes evident. A plush rattan furniture set is poised for evening drinks, just as long as you haven’t already been tempted into one of the oyster restaurants at Whitby harbour or the adorable dining options in the fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay.
For those who are serious about their outdoor activities, Salt Bay is in a very convenient location. With footpaths such as the Cleveland Way and the Rosedale Railway Walk nearby, not to mention all of the trails located in the North York Moors National Park, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking in North Yorkshire. Dalby Forest has forest cycling routes and a Go Ape obstacle course. One way to enjoy beautiful sandy beaches on the Yorkshire coast is with watersports such as sea kayaking and paddleboarding too. Otherwise, starting in Whitby, trace the route of the disused railway line to Scarborough.
Facilities: South of the River Esk, Salt Bay is an end-terrace property within walking distance of the town. Still, you should feel like you’re living in a world of your own, given the spacious indoor and outdoor spaces at the property. Just as you might expect from high-quality dog-friendly cottages, there’s a spacious outdoor space. It has an outdoor furniture set-up, with space for a champagne bottle in the middle of the table and an electric hot tub waiting temptingly in the yard. Indoors, the living room is modern and brightened by splashes of yellow decor. The contemporary theme continues in the kitchen, which is accessible through wide French doors and has a breakfast island with glossy white cabinets.
1 Burns Yard
Location: Whitby, North York Moors & Coast
Best for: A cosy stay in the centre of Whitby
If a cute and characterful stay is what you’re looking for among the many dog-friendly holiday cottages in Whitby, 1 Burns Yard is likely to be a good match. Despite being suitable for just two people and their pet, the ideal couples’ retreat has three floors to itself. This consists of a third-floor double bedroom, third-floor bathroom, first-floor kitchen and diner and a second-floor sitting room. The dreamy coastal haven has a cosy atmosphere all the way through, and that’s not to mention its superb location down a slim Whitby alleyway in the sought-after town centre.
The town centre location makes this dog-friendly cottage well-situated for guests wanting somewhere where they can two-step it to the many dog-friendly restaurants spread around the town, including cafés, cosy eateries, finer restaurants and traditional pubs. The energy from all of that tasty fare will come in handy for the town’s many activities, which include climbing the 199 Steps to the Gothic Whitby Abbey or craning your neck to see dolphins, seals and seabirds on the North Yorkshire Coast during one of the town’s wildlife-watching boat trips.
Facilities: 1 Burns Yard is the definition of a cosy bolthole. A bookshelf and TV are the focal points of the living room. Downstairs is where guests can chop and fry to their heart’s content, polishing off their creations on the dining table or in bed if they’re feeling particularly lazy. With a sloping roof, the third-floor bedroom is small but cosy, and on the same floor, there’s a bathroom with views of Whitby Abbey and the sea. The bathtub might seem like the perfect way to unwind after a day out in the North York Moors National Park or on Tate Hill Beach.
Maplebeck
Location: Whitby, North York Moors & Coast
Best for: A picture postcard location for a dog-friendly getaway near Whitby
Tucked under the vast vaults of the railway viaduct on the River Esk, Maplebeck has a truly exceptional setting. The private balcony is perfectly positioned to take in the unique setting by the river, but when you’re ready to tear yourself away from the riverside scenery, it’s just a 20 minutes’ walk along an old, disused railway line to Whitby’s old harbour. Take a rowing boat out onto the river Esk, hook yourself up with a horse-ride experience in the Yorkshire countryside or simply wander around the shores of the River Esk, keeping your eye out for wildlife such as mallards, swallows and sea trout.
Maplebeck is within walking distance of the coastal path for those whose priority is to find pet-friendly cottages with easy access to scenic hikes past beaches and the occasional fishing village. Robin Hood’s Bay, a small but incredibly quaint fishing village in the North York Moors National Park, is an hour and 45 minutes’ walk along the coastal path or a quick 10-minute drive away.
Facilities: Compared to other dog-friendly cottages, Maplebeck is already set apart by its unique location. However, the red brick cottage has an interior that’s full of character too. Soak up the riverside scenery and count the passing birds from the balcony, which has views over the river as it curves around the bushy woodlands. The living spaces are not short on decorative features, which include but are not limited to model owls, model whale tails and other animal knick-knacks. There’s a shared courtyard should you want another outdoor space to relax in. Otherwise, prop your feet up and watch the TV in the living room, or gather for family dinner at the wooden dining table.
Kirkby House
Location: Whitby, North York Moors & Coast
Best for: A four-floor cottage over Whitby harbour on the North Yorkshire coast
With views of the lines of boats crowding Whitby’s harbour, Kirkby House joins one of an assortment of sought-after dog-friendly Whitby holiday cottages with a harbour view. The Cleveland Way is within walking distance for guests who are keen hikers. As for those who want to visit one of Whitby and North Yorkshire’s most historic sites, the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey are also a short walk away from the cottage. Further along North Yorkshire Coast, fishing villages such as Robin Hood’s Bay await. While the village is gorgeous by day, it often has excellent skies for stargazing at night too.
Staying in one of the many dog-friendly cottages in Whitby opens up a world of different activities in the historic town. Follow Whitby’s Dracula Trail to see all of the spots visited by the author Bram Stoker. There’s a town heritage trail too, which visits a local artist’s statues, all depicting the fishing heritage of the town. A boat trip is another way to take in Whitby’s scenery, as well as to look for wildlife such as seals and dolphins.
Facilities: With harbour views from the window and the patio, Kirkby House won’t let any of its guests forget the excellent location by the harbour. There are four floors offering a range of cosy settings, including a living room, a kitchen with a breakfast bar and three bedrooms. Despite having modern assets such as a 50-inch TV, it still doesn’t lose its cosy atmosphere. When you want some fresh air, meet around the barbecue on the patio to grill local seafood and vegetables from the local farmers’ markets.
Shipswheel Cottage at Broadings Farm
Location: Whitby, North York Moors & Coast
Best for: A romantic countryside getaway for a family of four
Shipswheel Cottage at Broadings Farm is a stunning country haven on a North Yorkshire Moors farm. With views over patchwork fields and farm pastures, you might think that you’re completely removed from civilisation. However, the farm is only on the outskirts of Whitby and a short drive from Robin Hood’s Bay, meaning that historic towns and fishing villages are also a short drive away.
This is the ideal place for adventure lovers, whether they are looking for walks and mountain biking trails in the North York Moors National Park or boat trips and coasteering on the North Yorkshire Coast. Being in a rural location also adds an element of peace and quiet, making it an ideal place to recharge. There’s little to disturb the peace apart from neighing lambs and the other natural sounds of the farm.
Facilities: One look at the brick fireplace and a ship wheel hung from the living room wall and you’ll realise that Shipswheel Cottage at Broadings Farm has plenty of character. Even the modern kitchen, with its quality equipment and breakfast bar, has wooden beams and a stable-style door. The fully enclosed garden is made of gravel and looks out over miles of countryside, so it’s just as convenient a place for your dog to run around as it is for sharing a picnic lunch and admiring the views.
Discover More Dog-Friendly Breaks with Breakfree Holidays
With so many dog-friendly cottages to choose from in and around Whitby, you might want to extend your search to other parts of the UK or North Yorkshire. Breakfree Holidays has a wide range of dog-friendly cottages in the UK if you’re looking for other destinations with good hiking, beaches and other natural landscapes too.
Please note that the images in this blog post have been provided by Sykes Cottages.