Byland Abbey and Coxwold Circular
North Yorkshire
Byland Abbey was one of the great Cistercian monasteries of medieval Yorkshire where dogs go on a lead around the abbey grounds and across the grazed farmland beyond, and its ruined 12th century church, once among the largest in the country, still dominates this small hamlet on the edge of the Howardian Hills. This 6.9km circuit climbs from the abbey through Abbey Bank Wood and Snever Wood, passing the 1838 Oldstead Observatory, before dropping through the villages of Wass and Oldstead and returning past High Leys Farm, where the walk opens up to views across to the Kilburn White Horse cut into the hillside above Sutton Bank. The terrain mixes woodland trails with quiet lanes and field paths, with a moderate amount of climbing through the wooded sections.
This is a dog friendly walk with plenty of woodland scent and shade through Abbey Bank Wood and Snever Wood, where off-lead potential is moderate on the quieter paths. The abbey grounds themselves make a pleasant stop for a dog, though you are asked to keep them on a lead in this area, and the surrounding farmland may carry livestock, so a lead is the sensible choice across the open fields too. There is little water on the route beyond what you find at the village pubs. The Stapylton Arms in Wass is dog friendly, with a stone floored bar where a wet or muddy dog can settle in comfortably, and the Fauconberg Arms in Coxwold also welcomes dogs.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.9 km (4.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- The Stapylton Arms in Wass and the Fauconberg Arms in Coxwold are both dog friendly.
- Parking
- Byland Abbey car park, near the abbey ruins.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Byland Abbey and Coxwold Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Velveteen Bath House
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,183 / 7 nights
Ryehills Farm - The Old Dairy
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £807 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in North YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Byland Abbey and Coxwold Circular dog friendly?
This is a well-suited walk for dogs, earning a rating of 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The route offers plenty of woodland scent and shade through Abbey Bank Wood and Snever Wood, and two dog-friendly pubs along the way — the Stapylton Arms in Wass and the Fauconberg Arms in Coxwold — make it easy to stop and recharge mid-walk.
Can dogs be off lead at Byland Abbey and Coxwold Circular?
Off-lead potential is moderate on the quieter woodland paths through Abbey Bank Wood and Snever Wood, but leads are required in the abbey grounds themselves. The surrounding farmland may carry livestock, so it's sensible to keep dogs on a lead across the open fields too.
What should I know before visiting Byland Abbey and Coxwold Circular with my dog?
It's worth bringing plenty of water for your dog, as there's little natural water on the route itself. The 6.9km circuit involves a moderate amount of climbing through the wooded sections, and you'll want to keep your dog on a lead around the abbey grounds and open farmland where livestock may be present. Parking is available at Byland Abbey car park, close to the abbey ruins.
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What’s Nearby?
Attraction0.1 mi awayByland Abbey
North Yorkshire
The remains of one of England's greatest monasteries, free to walk with your dog on wide flat grass, with medieval floor tiles still in place.
Walk3.3 mi awaySutton Bank and the Kilburn White Horse
North Yorkshire
Dramatic escarpment views and a walk to the iconic White Horse with good visitor centre facilities; livestock on the surrounding farmland require leads.
Attraction4.1 mi awayRievaulx Abbey
North Yorkshire
The most complete abbey ruins in England, filling a wooded valley, and your dog is welcome in the ruins and the tearoom, just not at the counter.
Attraction4.8 mi awayHelmsley Castle
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Nine centuries of castle above a market town, with spectacular double banks and ditches to walk, and your dog welcome in the shop and museum too.
Walk4.9 mi awayRievaulx Abbey to Helmsley Loop
North Yorkshire
A rewarding circuit linking the atmospheric ruins of Rievaulx Abbey with the market town of Helmsley; livestock in the farmland sections require leads.
Walk7.6 mi awayHovingham and the Howardian Hills Circular
North Yorkshire
A loop through fields and woodland for dogs around Hovingham in the Howardian Hills, following Marr's Beck to a dog friendly village restaurant.