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Scarborough from above: the South Cliff's terraces in front, the harbour full of boats, and the castle on its green headland over the sea

North Yorkshire

Dog-friendly Scarborough

Photo: Russel Wills, CC BY-SA 2.0

Dogs can go on Cayton Bay all year, and on both town beaches outside their summer ban zones. They must be on a lead in the parks, the main shopping streets and parts of both promenades.

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Where to stay in Scarborough with a dog

7 hotels, inns and B&Bs and 4 cottages and holiday lets that take dogs, each with its dog charge and limits.

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Where to stay

Our picks: the places most welcoming to dogs.

  • Hotel · South Cliff

    Crown Spa Hotel

    Dog charge: £15 per dog per night

    A big Victorian hotel on the South Cliff Esplanade, above the Spa and the South Bay, with a dog menu and welcome pack.

    Check prices

  • Hotel · North Bay

    Clifton Hotel

    Dog charge: £10 per dog per night (£25 per dog for three nights or more)

    A clifftop hotel on Queens Parade looking over the North Bay, with a beer garden that takes dogs.

    Check prices

  • Hotel · Town centre

    Grand Hotel

    Dog charge: £10 per dog per night (£25 per dog for three nights or more)

    The landmark Victorian hotel on St Nicholas Cliff, a few minutes' walk down to the South Bay.

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Scarborough with a dog

Scarborough sits either side of the castle headland. The South Bay has the harbour, the amusements on Foreshore Road and the Spa, with the big Victorian hotels on the South Cliff above. The North Bay is quieter, with the beach chalets, Peasholm Park and smaller hotels along the clifftop.

From May to September the council bans dogs from the harbour end of the South Bay and from the middle of the North Bay. The rest of both beaches, and Cayton Bay to the south, stay open to them. Dogs must be on a lead all year in the parks and gardens, along parts of both promenades and in the main shopping streets.

For a longer walk, the Cinder Track, the old railway line, runs north out of town to Hayburn Wyke and on to Whitby away from traffic.

Beaches

All 3 dog-friendly beaches in Scarborough

Pubs and cafes

All 8 dog-friendly pubs and cafes in Scarborough

Dog walks

  • Cinder Track: Scarborough to Hayburn Wyke · 7.4 miles one way

    The old Scarborough to Whitby railway line, now a traffic-free path, from near the station through Scalby, Burniston and Cloughton to the wooded cove at Hayburn Wyke. The council says dogs are welcome with some restrictions; cyclists and horse riders use it too.

  • North Bay promenade to Scalby Mills

    A flat seafront walk along the North Bay below Peasholm Park to Scalby Mills at the north end of the bay. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade from Scalby Mills Road to the Sands all year, and in Peasholm Park.

  • Scarborough Castle headland

    English Heritage lets dogs on a lead into the castle and its grounds on the headland between the two bays. The paths are grass, cobbles and gravel, with steps up to the keep that you can go round.

The journey

Getting to Scarborough with a dog

The nearest station is Scarborough.

On National Rail trains into Scarborough a passenger may take up to two dogs free. Dogs must stay on a lead for the whole journey and on station property, and they are not allowed on seats.

Scarborough station is in the town centre, at the western end of Westborough, the main shopping street.

Driving in, Marine Drive car park (364 spaces) sits below the castle between the two bays, and West Pier car park (109 spaces) is by the harbour. Both are open 24 hours; Marine Drive charges 9am to 6pm from 1 March to 31 October only, West Pier 9am to 6pm.

Map of dog-friendly places in Scarborough

S = stay, B = beach, P = pub or cafe, W = walk start. Hover over or tap a pin to see its card.

Show as a list

Beaches

Pubs and cafes

Quick answers about Scarborough with a dog

Is Scarborough dog friendly?
Yes. Dogs can use Cayton Bay all year and both town beaches outside their summer ban zones, travel free on the train, and go round Scarborough Castle on a lead. Pubs such as The Crown Tavern let dogs in throughout.
Can dogs go to Scarborough Castle?
Yes. English Heritage allows dogs on a lead at Scarborough Castle.
Where do dogs have to be on a lead in Scarborough?
All year, on the North Bay promenade from Scalby Mills Road to the Sands, on the South Bay promenade by the Spa, in parks and gardens including Peasholm Park, Valley Gardens and South Cliff Gardens, and in the main shopping streets such as Westborough, Newborough and Bar Street.