Rachel's Guide to Newcastle and Beyond!
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19 Places to Visit With Your Dog In and Around Newcastle
May 2, 2019 
My boyfriend and I have talked about getting a puppy for years but the dream finally became a reality when I recently started working for myself from home. Meet Pat… he’s a wire haired fox terrier and we are absolutely besotted with him!
This is the little scamp on day we brought him home
At the time of writing this post Pat has only been a part of our family for a few of weeks but we have already taken him on a couple of little adventures and have plenty more planned.
So, I thought I would share some of the amazing dog-friendly pubs, cafes, parks, beaches and attractions around the north east that we hope to visit with our new four legged friend. Something tells me Pat is going to love his life in Geordieland as much as I do.
The following venues are ones that actively promote themselves as being welcoming to dogs or have been recommended to us by other local dog-owners. The list is already quite long but I’m sure we’ll soon discover even more amazing places to add to it!
Tanfield Railway
The Tanfield Railway in Gateshead is the oldest in the world and they offer steam train rides every Sunday and Bank Holiday plus Thursdays and Saturdays during the summer holidays. It’s somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for ages so I was delighted to hear they welcome dogs onboard!
Dobbies Garden Centre
I love a good mooch around the local garden centre on a weekend (getting old!) and seeing as Pat seems intent on digging up most of our garden I think we’ll be spending quite a bit of time in Dobbies! Well behaved dogs on leads are permitted in-store, except in the food hall and restaurant.
By the River Brew Co
One of my favourite riverside drinking spots!
This is one of my favourite places for a few pints on a Saturday afternoon, it has the most fabulous views of the River Tyne and the glorious bridges. I remember seeing lots of lovely dogs there last summer so I’m sure Pat will be in good company.
Motel One
This dog-friendly hotel is in the heart of Newcastle city centre on one of my favourite streets, High Bridge. Pat and I will definitely be popping in for drinks but I’m thinking it might also be nice to plan a summer staycation here too.
www.motel-one.com/en/hotels/newcastle
Beamish
You can’t beat a day out at Beamish
I’ve talked about my love for Beamish many times on this blog, it’s the perfect family day out and knowing that they welcome dogs with open arms puts it even higher on my list of places to visit.
Monsieur Crêpe
This cute little cafe in Heaton has a great reputation for being both child and dog friendly. It’s somewhere I’ve never been but it’s been recommended by fellow dog owners so I can’t wait to check it out.
Broom House Farm
Once Pat gets a bit bigger and is ready for longer walks we’ll be making a beeline for Broom House Forest Adventure Trail. James and I stumbled on it last year on our way home from a city break in Durham and we commented then that it would be a lovely place to visit with the family and a dog. There’s a farm shop, tea rooms and brilliant adventure trail through the woods.
Kiln
A wonderful spot for coffee and cake!
Kiln in Ouseburn is one of the best places for breakfast in Geordieland, so I was chuffed to bits when I discovered that dogs are welcome! I’ll have to keep a close eye on him with all the lovely crockery on display from the in-house pottery, the phrase ‘bull in a china shop’ comes to mind!
St Mary’s Inn
One of the cosy rooms at St Marys Inn – this one even has a dog bed!
(Disclosure: The link in this sentence leads to a review that was gifted)Â You may remember a little while back I was kindly invited to review the lunch menu at St Mary’s Inn (you can read the post HERE). While I was there I noticed several dogs keeping their owners company at the bar and was delighted to discover that one of the cosy bedrooms was also dog friendly, it would be the perfect place for a little overnight stay with Pat.
Hamsterley Forest
I have heard so many good things about Hamsteley Forest down the road in County Durham but it’s actually somewhere I’ve never been. It looks like a wonderful destination for a summer day out. There are four different walking trails to explore and Pat will love splashing about in the river! I bet there are some lovely picnic spots in the forest too.
www.forestryengland.uk/hamsterley-forest
Bamburgh Castle
I’ve spoken of my love for Bamburgh village and its beautiful castle many times, so you can imagine my delight to discover this facebook post shortly after we got our little puppy. This is definitely somewhere I am looking forward to taking him!
Flea Circus
This emporium of vintage delights is exactly the kind of place I like to shop. I could rummage through the rails for hours looking for rare, unique and pre-loved items. Now I can do it with Pat by my side as this hidden gem of an independent thrift store is dog-friendly.
Rendezvous Cafe
This beach front cafe in Whitley Bay is an absolute institution, I love the fact that it has barely changed since it first opened in the 1930’s and that it’s always full of gorgeous pooches!
Saltwell Park
As I mentioned in THIS POST at the start of the year, I have made a promise to myself to spend much more time in Saltwell Park as it really is one of Geordieland’s most beautiful public spaces. Now I have an even bigger excuse to head there more often.
www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/3958/Saltwell-Park
City Tavern
Pat and I have already ventured to City Tavern, a dog-friendly pub just off Northumberland Street in Newcastle city centre. I was really impressed as Pat was made to feel incredibly welcome, a bowl of water was brought to our table for him before we’d even placed an order! The decor is lovely and the food menu looked fab, especially for breakfast, I think we may become regulars.
National Trust
Image Credit: NGI
We are really fortunate to have several amazing National Trust sites within easy reach of Newcastle, places like Cragside, Gibside and Seaton Delaval Hall are wonderful places to spend the day in the great outdoors. One of my hopes when getting a dog was that it would encourage us to be more active and get out in to the fresh air more often so I found this new video from National Trust really inspiring…
Although, truth be told, we are more likely to take Pat along to Gibside’s ‘Beer and Bite Nights’ which take place on Friday nights. There’s street food and live music from 6pm and entry is free even for non-members. (Update, entry to Beer and Bite nights is no longer free for non-members, membership or admission applies at all times).
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/days-out/regionyorkshirenortheast/north-east
Wylam Brewery
Pat is already a Wylam Brewery fan!
I was delighted when Wylam Brewery moved in to the stunning Palace of Arts in Exhibition a couple of years ago as it’s virtually my local! The setting is incredibly unique and I can’t think of anywhere better to quench our thirst after a game of fetch on the Town Moor!
Hinnies
(Disclosure: The link in this sentence leads to a review that was gifted)Â I have had some lovely meals at Hinnies in Whitley Bay, it’s part of Hooked on Group which also owns Blackfriars and Dobson and Parnell in Newcastle and the quality is exceptional! We really want to try the brunch menu at Hinnies, it is sure to warm us up after a stroll on the promenade.
North East Beaches
Pat loved his first visit to the beach!
I have pretty much travelled the length of England’s coastline so believe me when I say that our north east beaches are the country’s finest, I’d even go as far as saying we have some of the best beaches in Europe (if only we had the warm climate too)!
There’s been lots in the local news recently about dogs being banned on the beaches for the peak summer period but this ban only takes place on certain sections of some beaches. Check the signs before you venture on the sand with a dog but rest assured there are still lots of lovely spots to enjoy, especially in Northumberland.
I think this list should keep us going for a while but I’d also love to hear any recommendations you’ve got so leave your suggestions for dog-friendly days out in the comments box below! Love from Rachel, James & Pat the dog!
When I lived in Heaton we used to go to Jesmond Dean, which at the time had quite the walk and forests and cricket pitch and all and some small place to eat and all–enjoy your little darling. What a sweet-looking dog!
I started commenting on this then got so completely distracted by looking up some of the places that you mentioned that I accidentally clicked off and now I have to start again … ooops! Ahhhh Pat, love his little faces he does – he loves the camera! I had no idea so many places in the North East were dog friendly, it’s good to know because when we have talked about getting a dog I’ve worried it wouldn’t be feasible as we like to get out and about so much and wouldn’t be able to leave him at home! So… Read more »
Ahh so many lovely places to take Pat to, he’s so cute! I’d love a dog at some point and will definitely be checking out all these places. Thanks for sharing! Melis
The Box Social brewery, in Newburn, is a dog-friendly place for a pint or two.
There is an amazing dog cafe in Whitley Bay called the Barking Bistro. Our dog Ted loves all the homemade pupcakes etc they sell there
We saw Pat in the North Terrace last Sunday Some new ones here to visit with our fox terrier Taylor x
Watergate park at Lobely Hill is a great walk with a dog friendly cafe also the Derwent Walk where there is a dog friendly cafe plus The Red Kite pub x
Barter books in Alnwick is dog friendly and they serve lovely food.
In Newcastle, Revolution de Cuba have a Doggy Disco the last Sunday of every month which includes a buffet and treats for the dogs (and 2 cocktails for ÂŁ10 for the dogs human pets), and Prohibition Cabaret Bar have Hound Club the first Sunday of every month. The Split Chimp and Town Mouse micro pubs are also dog friendly, as are Pitcher & Piano, Brew Dog, Redhouse, Long Play Cafe, The Cluny, Tyne Bar, The Ship and Lady Greys (I’m sure there are some I’ve forgotten to mention in Newcastle. In Tynemouth there’sThe Gibraltar Rock (bar area), Turks Head, The… Read more »
The Drift Cafe in Cresswell is very dog friendly. They also do a doggie sausage for ÂŁ1 which our dog always looks forward to.
Watergate cafe at lobley hill is extremely dog friendly! They get treats on arrival, there’s always plenty of water for them to drink and doggy treats available for purchase too. It’s in watergate Forest Park which is a fantastic place to take dogs for a walk. The cafe also hold a dog of the week competition! There are often doggy social events too.
You totally missed the Tyne Bank Brewery. they have a monthly dog social too.
At Robinson’s Pet Store in the Grainger Market we may not occupy you for hours but we do love dogs and we are Britain’s longest established family pet store. Trading from the same location for the last 90 years
Being the owner of two lively Jack Russells who love to be off the lead we are lucky to live not far from the Rising sun country park in wallsend which is is fab. Lovely tea room but unfortunately dogs are only allowed at tables outside. Lots of space for dogs to run free but beware there is a few horses around if your dog isn’t well trained you might want to keep him/her on a lead
I think you may already be in my group on Facebook (north east dog friendly shops, cafes & restaurants) but if not – we have hundreds of places listed. I also run a blog alongside the group (same name). I think the north east is one of the most dog friendly areas of the country & we are so lucky to live here
Love this, definitely a few places to visit! The Brownie Bar on Chillingham Road and the Pottery Experience in Jesmond are both also very dog friendly
A nice drive to Corbridge and a nice walk along the river followed by a lovely ice cream delight from emporium ice creams in the village of Corbridge where dogs are welcome and can even get their own doggy ice cream is a favourite of ours x
Hi there is a great place in Corbridge called Emporium Ice Cream, totally dog friendly and even offer dog ice cream. It’s worth checking out if you have not been.
I was so excited when I saw your list. We moved up from teesside in July and have gradually been finding dog friendly cafes/pubs. The twin farms near us at bank foot is good. Starbucks at tesco Kingston park. I love my visits to dobbies . Brandling arms in gosforth. Will definitely try out some of your suggestions.
Holywell dene is a great walk with the dogs. Park near the Harbour View fish and chips shop in Seaton Sluice( more of that later). Drop down into the dene from the path behind the church, keep walking until you reach the stile, crossover the road and the bridge and over the stile on the left. Keep walking through the woods alongside the stream until you climb up to the wagon way. Climb to the far side of the bridge and walk along the bridge path towards Holywell. When you reach the houses turn right and you’ll find a path… Read more »
[…] plants from MIA Loves and original artwork from Amy Pearson Design, to name just a few. It’s dog friendly too (see if you can spot Pat in the pic above)! Flea Circus is on the outskirts of the city centre […]
Such a fab post! So many great places to visit – I just wish we were in Newcastle for longer than 2 days so we could go to all of them 🙂 xo
Han // http://www.behindthefalselashes.com
thanks so much
Many thanks for sharing this. We coming down that way in September and bringing my gorgeous bulldog girl with us. This is really helpful x
Double joy stumbling across your blog…. Trying to find somewhere a bit different to take my 16yo for veggie breakfast (it’s gonna be Kiln) AND the first photo I see when landing here is your gorgeous WHFT! We have one too- and there’s not many around <3 Will be checking out more of your reviews.