York Riverside: Millennium Bridge and Rowntree Park
North Yorkshire
This gentle 3.5km loop follows the River Ouse through the heart of York on flat tarmac and gravel paths suited to dogs of any fitness level, starting near All Saints Church and the bus station and heading south along Terry Avenue to Rowntree Park. The route crosses the river on the York Millennium Bridge, a modern crossing opened in 2001, then returns north along New Walk, a tree lined Georgian promenade laid out in the 1730s that runs along the opposite bank towards York Castle and Clifford's Tower. The path is flat tarmac and gravel throughout, with no real climbing, making it one of the most accessible walks in this guide, suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs and dogs of any fitness level.
This is a dog friendly walk along a busy urban riverside, so keep your dog on a lead for most of it: the paths are shared with cyclists, joggers and plenty of other people, and the river itself runs deep and fast in places. Rowntree Park welcomes dogs on leads and has open grass, a play area and a cafe within its Victorian gates, making it a good spot to let a dog stretch its legs. The Kings Arms on King's Staith, right on the river, is a well known dog friendly pub, though it floods occasionally and is worth checking before you visit. There is little natural shade, so this is best avoided on the hottest days.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.5 km (2.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr
- Walk Type
- River, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Cafe and play area at Rowntree Park; the Kings Arms pub on King's Staith is dog friendly.
- Parking
- Pay and display car parks in York city centre; no dedicated car park for the route.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to York Riverside: Millennium Bridge and Rowntree Park, 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
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All dog friendly stays in North YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is York Riverside: Millennium Bridge and Rowntree Park dog friendly?
This is a solid choice for a dog walk in York, earning a 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The 3.5km riverside loop is flat and accessible for dogs of any fitness level, Rowntree Park welcomes dogs on leads, and the Kings Arms pub on King's Staith is a well-known dog friendly stop along the way.
Can dogs be off lead at York Riverside: Millennium Bridge and Rowntree Park?
For most of this route, dogs should be kept on a lead. The paths are shared with cyclists and joggers, and the River Ouse runs deep and fast in places, so it's not somewhere to let a dog roam freely. Rowntree Park has open grass where dogs can have a bit more space, though they are still required to be on leads within the park.
What should I know before visiting York Riverside: Millennium Bridge and Rowntree Park with my dog?
The route is entirely flat tarmac and gravel, making it one of the more accessible walks around York, but it's a busy urban path with limited natural shade, so it's worth avoiding on very hot days. There's a cafe at Rowntree Park if you need a pit stop, and the Kings Arms pub occasionally floods, so it's worth checking ahead if you're planning to visit. Parking is in city centre pay and display car parks, as there's no dedicated car park for the route.
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