Hovingham and the Howardian Hills Circular
North Yorkshire
Hovingham is a tidy estate village in the Howardian Hills, and dogs take a short lane diversion around a stretch of private land near the finish of this 7.6km circuit, a quiet range of low sandstone hills between the Vale of York and the North York Moors. The route heads south across open farmland before dropping into woodland, where it follows Marr's Beck north east through the trees. Underfoot is a mix of field paths, woodland tracks and quiet lanes, with roughly 240 metres of climbing spread across the loop, enough to make it feel like a proper walk without being strenuous. The final stretch skirts a private estate boundary before returning to the village.
This is a dog friendly walk for most of its length, with plenty of scent along the woodland tracks and beckside paths, though the final section runs beside private land where dogs are not permitted, so you will need to walk around this short stretch on the lane instead. The surrounding fields are grazed, so keep dogs on a lead there and expect livestock for a good part of the route. Marr's Beck offers a paddling spot for dogs in the woods. Parking is near the restaurant Myse, formerly the Hovingham Inn, on Main Street, and its bar area welcomes dogs with water and a bed provided, a good place to finish.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.6 km (4.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, River, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Myse restaurant (formerly the Hovingham Inn) has a dog friendly bar area; no other facilities on route.
- Parking
- Roadside parking near Myse (formerly the Hovingham Inn) on Main Street, Hovingham.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Hovingham and the Howardian Hills 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 Hovingham and the Howardian Hills Circular dog friendly?
This 7.6km circular walk is dog friendly for most of its length, earning a 7 out of 10 rating. Dogs are welcome on the field paths, woodland tracks and beckside sections, and Myse restaurant (formerly the Hovingham Inn) at the start and finish has a dedicated dog friendly bar area with water and a bed provided — a nice reward at the end of the walk.
Can dogs be off lead at Hovingham and the Howardian Hills Circular?
Off lead time is limited on this route. The surrounding fields are grazed with livestock, so dogs should be kept on a lead through those sections, and the final stretch runs beside private land where dogs are not permitted at all, requiring a short diversion onto the lane. The woodland tracks along Marr's Beck are the most relaxed part of the route, where dogs can also enjoy a paddle in the beck.
What should I know before visiting Hovingham and the Howardian Hills Circular with my dog?
The main things to be aware of are livestock in the fields and a short section near the end of the route where dogs are not permitted due to private land — you'll need to follow the lane diversion here rather than the main path. The walk involves around 240 metres of climbing spread across the loop, so it's a proper outing without being too demanding. Parking is roadside on Main Street near Myse restaurant, which makes a welcoming base before and after.
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