Harrogate and the Valley Gardens Loop
North Yorkshire
Valley Gardens is a Grade II-listed Victorian park at the heart of Harrogate, and this dog friendly loop links its formal flowerbeds with the adjoining Pinewoods, a quiet beech and conifer wood that continues out to RHS Harlow Carr. It is a lovely easy option for a short after-work walk or a lunchtime wander between cafes.
Dogs are welcome throughout on lead, and the Pinewoods section allows off lead under close control away from the main path. There is no livestock anywhere on the route, no stiles, and the whole loop is on firm tarmac, compacted gravel and woodland path, so older dogs and anyone with a buggy or wheelchair will be fine. The Valley Gardens Sun Pavilion tea room welcomes dogs outside, and there are several dog friendly cafes and pubs back in Harrogate's main streets. Pay and display parking runs around the Gardens, with side streets free outside the centre.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.5 km (2.8 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- Park, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Sun Pavilion tea room in Valley Gardens welcomes dogs outside; public toilets in the Gardens; cafes and pubs in Harrogate centre.
- Parking
- Pay and display along Valley Drive (HG2 0JZ) and the side streets behind the Gardens; free side-street parking a few minutes' walk further out.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Harrogate and the Valley Gardens Loop, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Duck Cottage - Grewelthorpe
Sleeps 2 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £620 / 7 nights
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