I’m not a dog owner myself but believe me I have spent HOURS researching this for you lovely lot! Because I don’t have a dog I wanted to get the opinions of people who actually know about these things, so I’ve teamed up with some of my favourite dog owning, local bloggers to bring you the very best edit of dog friendly places to eat in Derbyshire. HUGE thanks to everyone who contributed. Without the bloggers who gave up their time, knowledge and photos of their precious fur babies, and my wonderful Instagram followers who contributed their collective hive mind intelligence, this article would not have possible. I am eternally grateful and hope it’s useful.
What makes a place dog friendly?
I wanted to get a clear understanding of what actually makes a place dog friendly so posed this question on my Instagram stories. As a bare minimum, water is available. Ideally a place provides dog treats, has well-spaced tables, clips to secure dog leads and doesn’t have overly loud music. Understandably, people wanted to feel welcome with their dogs, ideally inside. Customers welcome clear signage that makes it clear dogs are welcome.
“Staff make a fuss of dogs and treat them like a customer – really puts us at ease”
Lucy at Explore Derbyshire
“When your dog is accepted inside, just like we are.”
Rachel @tryingforsighs
Just a little caveat… please remember we are emerging from a global pandemic that has been devastating for many small businesses, particularly in hospitality. All of this was written in good faith, and double checked as carefully as I could, but lockdown restrictions or even places changing hands and so on might mean alterations to services that I’m aware of. Please do contact me if you have any issues.
Here’s the ultimate edit of dog friendly places to eat in Derbyshire according to people in the know. No faceless chains, just lovely, local, independents.
Sam from Coco Travels, a travel blogger based in Derbyshire
“One of my favourite places to take Alfie in Derbyshire is the Peacock at Barlow. You can wear the dog out with a long walk at the nearby Linacre Reservoir before stopping off here for lunch or dinner. Dogs are allowed throughout the bar and restaurant and if it’s a nice day then the terrace is a great place to sit and enjoy the stunning views over the countryside opposite. The food is absolutely delicious – I can highly recommend the pie! As well as this, they’re really friendly towards dogs, rather than just being a place where dogs are allowed. Whenever I’ve been, the staff have brought us water and treats and really made a fuss of the dogs.”
Samantha Wragg, Coco Travels
Check out Sam’s own guide to dog friendly pubs in Derbyshire for lots more options, there are also lots of dog friendly walks on her website.
Just down the road from The Peacock is The Tickled Trout which also welcomes dogs in the bar area and outside. Read my previous review of the Trout here. And if you fancy doing a Barlow bar crawl – you might as pop in to the gorgeous Derbyshire gin shop en route! Read all about that here.
Jen from She Gets Around, a travel and lifestyle blogger based in Derbyshire
Jen grew up in the local area and is now based in Matlock, so is well qualified on the best places to eat and drink. Check out her great piece on the best places to eat and drink in Matlock.
Jen and her adorable dog, Cookie (who has his own instagram page!) are also award winning pet travel bloggers, so they know a thing or too about dog friendly places to eat in Derbyshire and has also written a great round up of short and easy dog walks in Derbyshire.
The Remarkable Hare on Dale Road is really dog friendly. They have a whole doggie station by the door with water bowls, blankets to lie on and tubs of biscuits. They also happen to do amazing food too. Jen also recommend Butterfingers down the road too. They’re dog friendly and do the best cakes!
In the Peak District Jen loves The Packhorse in Little Longstone which is also very dog friendly and you’re always sure to see at least one dog in there.
Charlotte from Charlotte Elizabeth Bridal in Matlock
Charlotte has recently opened a stylish, luxurious bridal boutique on Smedley Street in Matlock. Her adorable two miniature dachshunds, Macy and Alfie join her at the boutique from time to time. If you’re local you might have spotted them in the window! I asked Charlotte to recommend some of her favourite dog friendly places to eat in Derbyshire.
On the same street as Charlotte’s gorgeous boutique is The Newsroom Matlock. This micro pub specialises in real ales from interesting, often local micro-breweries. The Newsroom was awarded Pub of the Year 2020 by Matlock and Dales CAMRA so you can be sure of a great beer! There’s also a good range of gins and wines and contemporary décor – think wooden floorboards and exposed brickwork. The chilled atmosphere here is really popular with dog owners, just check out their Facebook page for lots more doggies and their owners enjoying a pint.
A real favourite with Charlotte (and when I asked for suggestions on my Instagram page), somewhere that came up time and time again was Junction in Chesterfield. Charlotte described this as here go to place when she wanted to meet a friend with the pups, not just for drinks but even just for daytime coffees or food. The team at Junction absolutely love doggies – and they are more than welcome to come visit (although it gets pretty busy on Friday and Saturday nights – so it’s not so good for little paws then) and are dog owners themselves. I’ve only ever had drinks at Junction but it’s a fab place with a great atmosphere. The food looks incredible though and it’s definitely high on my (very long!) list of places to go, particularly for brunch.
Rachel at Trying for Sighs
Rachel runs one of my favourite Instagram pages, Trying for Sighs which features her photogenic travels around the UK with Benji the Border Collie who also has his own Instagram page! Rachel lives in Derbyshire so I asked her for her favourite places to take Benji locally. Here are their favourite dog friendly places to eat in Derbyshire…
The Café on the Green in the pretty Peak District village of Baslow are dog friendly and you can take dogs inside. It’s a friendly, traditional café serving freshly made, home cooked breakfasts, lunches and cakes including gluten free options. You can always walk through to Chatsworth from there too.
Another great option on the Chatsworth Estate is the Edensor Tea Cottage. Edensor (pronounced En-za) is a very picturesque village worth a mooch around and there are various walks that can be done from here. The tea room is the oldest building in the village. Originally a farmhouse, it was remodelled by Sir Joseph Paxton and then later served as the local post office. There’s been a recent refurb including Farrow & Ball colour palette, new toilets and a baby changing unit. Now run by Chef Stuart Yates and his wife Sarah, both of whom have a fine dining background. The tea room is dog friendly and they sell gorgeous cake and proper barista coffee. Rachel rates the iced coffee in particular.
Rachel also recommends Herbert’s Tearoom in Tissington as being dog friendly and a great place for coffee and cake or lunch. Tissington isn’t somewhere I know very well but I recently read a really great guide from travel blogger Be-lavie which you might like to check out.
The Lathkil Hotel near Bakewell is good for views. This 19th century pub looks a little old fashioned inside, but is a great choice if the weather is good. Perched above the stunning Lathkill Dale, the pub enjoys one of the most spectacular views from any pub in the county.
Another great place for views is The Fox and Goose Inn in Wigley, just outside Chesterfield. It’s a traditional country inn with stunning panoramic views. They allow dogs in the bar area and outside. Currently open only at weekends.
Rachel also recommend another of my all-time favourite gastro pubs, The Devonshire Arms in Beeley on the Chatsworth Estate. This is an award winning, stylish country inn that’s serious about food. They welcome dogs in the bar area while you eat. There are also dog friendly hotel rooms, read more about their pet policy here.
Lauren from WhatLaurenLovess
Lauren is one of my favourite local fashion bloggers on Instagram. She has the cutest little sausage dog called Otto.
Their favourite dog friendly places to eat out include The Anglers Rest which is also just off the Monsal Trail. This traditional, family-owned Peak District pub has some stunning riverside seating. It’s wonderful location in Miller’s Dale near Buxton is perfect for countryside walks with your four legged friends. There’s the obvious route of the Monsal Trail but also some quieter alternatives suggested on their website. Serving good value, generous, traditional (often home cooked) pub food. The pub is dog (and family!) friendly. Booking recommended.
The Bridge Inn at Calver in the Hope Valley is a great option for dogs and their owners. Unlike many places which only let dogs in the garden or the bar, dogs are welcome throughout at The Bridge. There’s even a treat pot for four legged friends; they simply ask that dogs stay off the furniture.
The Monsal Head Hotel which is perfectly situated at one of the most popular beauty spots in Derbyshire. The historic hotel commands stunning views over Monsal Dale including the famous aqueduct. The food is good – with an emphasis on seasonal menus and local produce, made on the premises. I particularly like the quirky Stable Bar which serves real ales from local micro-breweries. There’s also a large outdoor seating area.
Lauren also recommends Piptree Café in Borrowash on the outskirts of Derby which is also one of my favourite cafés. Dogs are welcome indoors and in their pretty Greenhouse.
The Three Cottages in Hasland, Chesterfield which serves pub style meals, including a decent range of vegan options.
Billy the Boston Terrier
Billy is somewhat of an Instagram super star and has well over 2k followers! So I couldn’t possibly write this without his input.
One of Billy’s favourite places is just over the Nottinghamshire border. For a gorgeous walk with a great dog friendly pit stop Central Bark café within Clumber Park is the go-to place. The name alone tells you everything you need to know! Hands down the most dog friendly café I have so far been to. This little gem has Astro turf carpet, toys for the dogs to play with, tables with designated places to secure your dog, a four legged “pick & mix” snack station… and great coffee! Everyone’s a winner, especially the dogs! Find Central Bark just outside the Walled Kitchen Garden in the heart of Clumber Park. Read more here.
Billy also enjoys visiting Maggie May’s in Walton, Chesterfield. This micro bar and coffee shop is a brilliant place to break off from a walk around Walton Dam and enjoy a really warm welcome, with dog biscuits for the four legged and coffee, cake and light bites for the two legged. All are guaranteed a warm welcome and a fuss.
Restaurant wise, Billy can often be found frequenting The Hunloke Arms in Wingerworth, just outside Chesterfield. A real family favourite at any time of the day. Billy especially loves a seat by the fire and his every need in catered for. There’s a really cosy, home-from-home vibe, Billy loves it here! In fact, The Hunloke Arms came up time and time again as somewhere really dog friendly. Dogs are welcome in the bar and outside (not the restaurant part but you can choose to eat in the bar).
Lucy from Explore Derbyshire
Another of my favourite local Instagram pages, I love the well researched, comprehensive reviews on Explore Derbyshire.
If you love the Hunloke, check out the rest of the Chilled Pubs range. So that’s The Joiners Arms in Quarndon, The Bulls Head in Repton and The Swan at Walton. All welcome dogs in their bar areas and have dog treats. Read my full review here.
In Derby itself, Bustler street food market held every weekend welcomes dogs. There’s a great vibe at Bustler with a bar, DJ, and of course the regularly changing assortment of street food vans and always a good range of veggie, vegan and gluten free options. Read my review of Bustler here.
The Hurt Arms in Ambergate welcomes dogs in the bar area and dining is welcomed in the bar area. Check out the hanging kebabs, there’s even a dessert version featuring hazelnut and chocolate.
Sara from Girl Eats Sheffield food blog
One of my all-time favourite food bloggers, although Sara’s focus is Sheffield she actually doesn’t live too far from me and so also has a good sense of where’s good in Derbyshire and the Peak District.
Some of the places Sara and her family love taking Otis to are:
The Peacock Inn at Cutthorpe is an independent gastro pub that is dog friendly in the bar area. This is great to combine with a dog walk at nearby Linacre Reservoir. Food is locally sourced where possible and freshly prepared. There’s a big car park, lots of outside seating and a children’s play area.
In Chesterfield town centre, Thyme to Eat is a vegetarian café who welcome dogs inside as well as outside. As do Qoozies, who are famous for their healthy, fresh take on fast food (and their decadent pancakes and milkshakes!).
Just outside of the town centre, on the top end of Chatsworth Road is the wonderful Koo. Koo is a great example of a neighbourhood café. The coffee is amazing and they have a good brunch and lunch menu. They’re licensed so you can also enjoy a few bevvies. Dogs are welcomed inside and out.
Dogs are welcome downstairs at Hathersage Social – don’t miss their waffle menu! Booking advised. Also in Hathersage is The Plough, a 16th century inn on the banks of the River Derwent serving freshly cooked, seasonal food.
Debs and Snowy from Muddy Boots n Coffee
One of our favourite meeting spots is Hassop Station Café. Dogs rae only permitted outside but there is extensive outside seating. Much of it under cover and some heated. There are dog tethers and bowls, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The pay and display car park does get busy at peak times, although there is an overflow field.
For something a little out of the ordinary, try the Heights of Abraham. Dogs are welcome on the cable cars and around the grounds. Note that dogs must be on a lead and are not permitted indoors, but if the weather’s good you can sit outside the café with stunning views of Matlock Bath below. Water bowls provided. Tickets must be booked in advance and currently there is no walk up route to ensure social distancing.
Dogs are only allowed outside at Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop Café but since the views are so lovely I think it’s worth including here. There’s lots of free parking and lots of seating but it does still get very busy at peak times. If farm shops are your thing, read my edit of the best 11 farm shops in Derbyshire here.
For luxurious dog friendly accommodation in Derbyshire, The Peacock at Rowsley has dog friendly rooms. The hotel happily provides dog food and water bowls. You can leave dogs in the room alone whilst you dine or they can accompany you to eat outside in summer. Although note that dogs are not allowed in the bar, restaurant or lounge. The food here is exceptionally good.
My personal favourites that just happen to be dog friendly places to eat in Derbyshire
As I’ve been doing my research, I noticed that some of my favourite foodie places were dog friendly. Firstly, the neighbourhood café, Birdcage in Chesterfield seems to be really dog friendly, certainly outside. I’ve even seen them provide dog beds and bowls of water!
Easily accessible from Chesterfield, but with a stunning rural location is the Peak Edge Hotel which even has some dog friendly rooms. Dogs are also welcomed in their beautiful bar areas, with loads of lovely treats.
Nourish at No 44 in Belper is so dog friendly that it even has it’s own dedicated ‘Nourish Pup Club’ Instagram page! Dogs are welcomed throughout and there’s water, treats and blankets available for your canine friends.
I recently had lunch at the Bulls Head in Ashford in the Water and thought their doggy water station was so cute. I was too distracted by the menu, but my blogging friend Jenny who runs Peak District Kids captured it perfectly. Incidentally, there’s a great Ashford-in-the-Water walk on the Peak District Kids website that would be perfect for walking up an appetite before your pub meal.
The Apple Tree Tea House in Ockbrook is dog friendly outside and in the barns. They even have puppuccinos, ice cream and dog treats and water for furry friends. (The puppuccinos and ice cream both contain lactose so are only advised as an occasional treat.) Note that you can park in the car park for the Queen’s Head (towards the rear of the car park and on the understanding that you pop in for a drink occasionally!). They have a lovely beer garden to the rear in addition to the seating at the front, which includes some cool beach hut style booths, and are also dog friendly. Elvaston Castle is perfect for a dog walk and is only five minutes away.
The Little Shed in Allestree and Ashbourne sadly can’t welcome dogs inside due to having an open kitchen area in the tearoom, but they do love doggie visitors and always have a water bowl available and treats on hand. The Loaf at Crich welcomes well behaved dogs in their café in the daytime (but not on pizza nights). And just outside of Derbyshire but near Ashbourne, the gorgeous The Star at Cotton welcomes dogs in the bar area. All their food is freshly prepared and homemade.
Village Green Café in the gorgeous Peak District village of Eyam is most welcoming to dogs. They have water bowls and treats – and have even been known to cook off a sausage especially for pampered pooches!
The Bluebell in South Wingfield is a great gastro pub (read why I love it here). Dogs are welcome in the bar and outside (just not in the restaurant area).
The Scotsman’s Pack in Hathersage is a traditional country inn that serves really good pub fare. Food is locally sourced and made from scratch. Read my review.
The Barley Mow in Bonsall is a wonderfully quirky pub in Bonsall near Cromford and Matlock. Well behaved dogs are welcome.
All of the Berkeley Inns pubs in the Ashbourne/Derby area have dog friendly rooms – so that’s the The Horseshoes at Long Lane, The Cow at Dalbury Lees and The Bluebell at Kirk Langley. The Cow also have dog friendly accommodation, as pictured below.
Dog friendly places to eat in Derbyshire according to the Lovely Local Indie community
Whilst researching this article I asked my followers on Instagram where they would recommend as being particularly dog friendly. In addition to the establishments detailed above, people suggested the following:
White Lion in Great Longstone is under new ownership and now allows dogs throughout the pub. They have treats for four legged friends who are guaranteed a stroke from dog loving staff. They’ll even cook a sausage on request!
Beaumonts of Ashbourne has a dedicated room for dogs including built in ‘dog holes’ for smaller dogs to be protected from feet, and a lovely south facing terrace.
Royal Oak at Hurdlow is a cosy pub with great food where dogs are made very welcome. Booking recommended.
The FULL list of Lovely, Local, Independent Dog Friendly Places to Eat in Derbyshire, by district:
Please note some of these only allow dogs in certain areas, e.g. the bar. Scroll back up for full details.
Dog friendly places to eat in the AMBER VALLEY
Made at No 18, Alfreton
Hurt Arms, Ambergate
Belper: Nourish at No 44, Reunion
The Loaf at Crich
Joiners Arms, Quarndon
Dog friendly places to eat in CHESTERFIELD
Town centre: Thyme to Eat, Qoozies, Birdcage, The Rectory,
The Batch House
Chatsworth Road: Café Nellie, Koo, Junction, The Crafty Dog
The Peacock at Barlow
The Peacock Inn at Cutthorpe
Three Cottages, Hasland
Maggie May’s, Walton
Dog friendly places to eat in DERBY city centre and surrounding area
The Greyhound
The Kedleston Country House (dogs are allowed in the bar, study, snug and parlour)
The Farmhouse at Mackworth
The Bluebell at Kirk Langley
Dog friendly places to eat in the DERBYSHIRE DALES
Ashbourne area: Knockerdown Inn, Smiths Tavern, House of Beer, Greenman, Beaumonts, Cock Inn Muggington, The Cow at Dalbury Lees, The Horseshoes at Long Lane
Bakewell area: Thornbridge Tap House, Rutland Arms (bar area), Chatsworth Kitchen in Rowsley
Eyam: The Coolstone (in the courtyard), Village Green Café
Hathersage: The George, Bank House (downstairs in the bar – make a note on booking to ensure a dog-friendly table), Hathersage Social, The Plough, The Scotsman’s Pack
Matlock: Butterfingers, The Remarkable Hare, Newsroom and Heights of Abraham in Matlock
Bulls Head in Ashford-in-the-Water
The Café on the Green, Baslow
Devonshire Arms in Beeley (bar area)
Bridge Inn at Calver
Edensor Tea Cottage
Hassop Station Café
The Blind Bull in Little Hucklow
Royal Oak at Hurdlow
The Lathkil Hotel
White Lion in Great Longstone
The Packhorse in Little Longstone
Monsal Head Hotel
Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop at Pilsley
The Devonshire Arms, Pilsley (bar area)
The Gate Inn, Tansley
Herbert’s Tearoom in Tissington
Dog friendly places to eat in EREWASH
PipTree Café, Borrowash
Apple Tree Tea House in Ockbrook
Queen’s Head, Ockbrook
Dog friendly places to eat in NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE
Peak Edge Hotel (bar areas & dog friendly accommodation)
The Fox and Goose Inn in Wigley
Dog friendly places to eat in SOUTH DERBYSHIRE
Bulls Head in Repton
Swan at Walton
HIGH PEAK
Dubbing Good Food, Buxton
Ensana Buxton Crescent hotel welcomes well behaved dogs in the lounge area (not the restaurant)
Yorkshire Bridge Inn
Dog friendly breaks
Here’s a great blog post on dog friendly breaks across the UK.
29 replies on “60+ Dog Friendly Places to Eat in Derbyshire”
Farmers feast cafe, agricultural park, Bakewell
Thank you. Will check it out.
The Angel pub at Holmesfield allow dogs and are very welcoming .
The Duke of Leeds, chur h st, Wales S265LQ.
We love dogs and they are welcome in our tv room. We have a secure courtyard and free doggie snacks.
Thanks Jill. Sounds wonderful for dogs.
Bulls head at foolow allows dogs inside and the food is lovely
Thanks Tracie. I’ve been meaning to try that pub for ages now. It always looks lovely online.
Forget Me Not Coffee Shop in Matlock Bath
Thank you – I’ve not heard of there before so will check it out. Thanks again!
[…] dogs in the bar area while you eat. There are also dog-friendly hotel rooms. Or for luxurious dog-friendly accommodation in Derbyshire, The Peacock at Rowsley also has dog-friendly rooms. The hotel happily provides dog […]
Courtney Gallery and Cafe, Ashbourne
correction for a listing, Hassop Station Cafe do not allow dogs inside, only outside, just tried to book today and we would have to stay outside. Glad I checked, would have been a long drive to sit an 85yr old in the cold.
Sorry about this Joanne. I will amend now. There are lots of outside heaters at Hassop Station but point taken – especially on a day like today!
I tried quite a few places off this list trying to book a birthday lunch with my elderly mum but I’ll have a dog (squeaky clean spaniel) in tow for the day – and many were only allowing outside seating, so they shouldn’t class as dog friendly venues as you can pretty much sit anywhere in the UK outside with a dog! Being asked to sit outside is not a feature of an establishment in any season to make it “dog friendly”, they are simply making you sit outside. Being able to sit inside like a normal customer IS dog friendly and that should be the criteria. Pip Tree cafe didn’t even bother replying to me (emailed them using email address on their webpage), I’ve waited three days and no answer on phone either. Having tried 11 on this list of 60 “dog friendly places to eat” unsuccessfully trying to sit inside in December with a dog and an elderly person, I’m giving up.
Hi Joanne. Sorry to hear this. If you could let me know where you have tried I can amend the blog. The PipTree don’t take bookings – it’s walk ins only.
[…] Dog friendly in the bar area only (the à la carte/tasting menus are usually served in the restaurant area which does not permit dogs – but you are welcome to eat both menus in the bar area – just specify this on booking). […]
Would you consider visiting our lovely pubs? Berkeley Inns? Our Cow at Dalbury is lovely and cosy and well love you see visitors with their four legged friends 🐶
Copper Cogs, Long Eaton. On the corner of Market Place and Oxford Street. We stop in with our five month old Labrador for coffee and cake on a regular basis. They also serve food and have a well stocked bar. There are Doggie Rules on the door which include not allowing dogs on furniture and not allowing them to be a nuisance to other customers. We have trained our puppy and she sleeps under the table whilst we relax. Certainly worth checking out.
That sounds really lovely! I haven’t been to Long Eaton for years – but will most certainly look out for Copper Cogs next time I’m there. Thanks for the recommendation.
Brilliantly dog friendly are two places in Chesterfield. The Junction and Sorbo Lounge. Both are very dog friendly with good food and really pleasant staff. The Junction only serves food over lunchtime but open from 12 noon on. The Sorbo Lounge in Matlock may also be great for dogs.
Love this post! Has just made things super easy for my next day trip to Derbyshire with my dog. Thank you for putting this together and for everyone’s contributions ☺️
Aw you’re so welcome. Hope you have a brilliant day!
Hi there. We are Bake Dronfield. We welcome dogs inside our cafe and also our enclosed courtyard.
Water, blankets and free treats available for your pooches x
Thank you Angie. Sounds great – thanks for all the details.
The Hardwick Inn is dog friendly, outside and in the bar area. The Blue Bell Inn and Chantry Restaurant at North Wingfield is the same, also The Shoulder at Hardstoft. All serve fantastic home made food may I add!!
Thank you!
Just Roll with it cakes in Bolsover. The staff came out with bowls of water. Can take dogs in side also. There’s a few pubs and cafes dotted around Bolsover that are dog friendly
Elmtree at Heath allow dogs inside
Lubens in Buxton Derbyshire