Castles, riverside walks, a huge sandy beach and genuinely dog-friendly places to stop along the way.
We visit Warkworth regularly with our golden retrievers. This guide brings together the best things to do in Warkworth with dogs, from the castle and River Coquet to the beach, pubs, cafés and places to stay. We’ll keep adding to it as we return.
Warkworth is compact enough to explore without rushing, but there is more here than a quick walk around the village. These are the main places to begin.
One of Northumberland’s most impressive castles, with towering walls, beautiful village views views, and plenty of history to discover together on a lead.
A brilliant riverside walk to a medieval chapel carved into the rock, reached by one of Northumberland’s most unusual short walks.
A broad sandy beach with room to spread out, enjoy a long walk, and let the Northumberland coastline do the talking.
A gentle riverside walk through the heart of Warkworth, linking the castle, village, and surrounding countryside in one easy stroll.
If you only have a few hours, we’ve also included exactly what we managed to do in one afternoon in Warkworth with the dogs.
Whether you’re planning a weekend by the coast or a longer stay with dogs, Warkworth offers plenty of places. You’ll find traditional dog-friendly cottages in Warkworth around the village, friendly hotels, and quiet log cabins nearby.
Our Visit
I took our golden retrievers to Warkworth for an afternoon.
It was early summer, and we wanted to explore a scenic, relaxed, and dog-friendly destination. Warkworth is a beautiful village in Northumberland. It’s the sort of place worth a full day, not just a quick stop. But I was on teenager time, so we had the afternoon.
Even so, it didn’t disappoint. It was on our list of dog days out in Northumberland, and for good reason.
We packed in some of the best dog-friendly things to do in Warkworth: a wander by the River Coquet, a visit to Warkworth Castle, a run through the dunes and beach, and a cosy pub meal at one of the most dog-friendly spots we’ve found, complete with a menu just for them.
Watch our afternoon in Warkworth
Stop 1
We parked in the centre of Warkworth in the car park signposted as you arrive. From here, we took a stroll along the River Coquet. The dogs had been in the car for just under an hour, so they had little off-lead time. Along the river, it’s 2 minutes from the car park.
The sun was shining, and the dogs headed straight into the river for a cool-off. It’s so pretty along here. Many people are on the river on paddleboards, enjoying the lovely weather.
After the dogs had finished annoying the ducks, we headed for a look around the village. You could continue on a beautiful, flat walk along the river, which loops over a bridge and back around.
In the village of Warkworth, you’ll find an array of cafes advertising they’re dog-friendly, serving typical treats like afternoon teas and sandwiches. Alternatively, there are plenty of British-style pubs offering home-cooked food daily until 8 pm. I had yet to find an establishment that wasn’t pet-friendly! Dogs are welcome everywhere, including in the shops.
The whole village has a very relaxed atmosphere, and it is pleasing to see so many dog bowls of water outside the places mentioned. The vibe is very welcoming, and the town is very quaint, easy to get around, mainly flat, and you can walk up to Warkworth Castle on the hill, which overlooks the whole village, so off we went to explore the castle.
Stop 2
From the village, the castle is perched on top of a hill, so we decided to drive up. It took minutes, and we parked at the castle car park, situated at the entrance.
Free to park if you’re an English Heritage member; otherwise it’s £3.50. I paid £8 each to get in; dogs are free. You can book online and receive a 15% discount if you do this in advance.
Upon entering the castle, you’ll find a small shop where the staff will give your dogs a treat and inform you that dogs are welcome in all parts of the castle and ruins, provided they’re kept on a lead. No dog restrictions, so we headed on in.
There’s much to say about the castle’s medieval history, dating back to the 12th century, and its past inhabitants were the powerful Percy family, but visit for yourself and enjoy one of the most formidable castles in northern England.
What I enjoyed the most about this visit was the views from the hilltop where the castle sits strategically above the River Coquet overlooking Warkworth, and the surrounding countryside and coastline, peaceful yet rather majestic from its highest viewpoints. Few places allow you to walk your dog through a medieval castle. I love the mix of history and dog walk!
Be aware that there are many steps to navigate in and around the castle; you are up, down, and round. Do it at your own pace; it’s not a race. Could you bring a picnic? We did. There were some picnic tables inside; we sat, enjoyed a flask and a sandwich, and took in the incredible views.
Read the full write of our visit to Warkworth Castle with dogs.
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Stop 3
You can leave your car in the car park and head down the hill towards the village and coastline, but our next stop was the dunes, and the staff let us know on arrival that the car park closed at 5 pm, so we decided to drive to the dunes car park. Here, parking is free, just minutes from the castle, and it’s easy to find with clear signs.
Hands down, the dogs’ favourite spot out of the car is straight into the grassy dunes off lead in their element. It’s a short walk downhill through the dunes onto the beach. For us, the dogs sprinted their way as they could smell the sea!
The dunes walk from the car park opens onto a glorious stretch of open sand that extends for a few miles and is dog-friendly year-round.
There is a caravan site nearby, and it is frequented by dog walkers year-round. We got chatting to some locals who said it’s their favourite spot to walk, as it’s so open there’s plenty of space to throw a ball and have fun off-lead, which is what we need with big dogs.
We had them up and down the dunes to tire them out, and of course, they went for a paddle in the sea. I couldn’t recommend a visit here more; it’s spotless and offers beautiful views over Croquet Island.
Stop 4
We drove back into the village, parked in the car park, and felt a bit spoiled for choice, food-wise.
We opted for the Masons Arms pub mainly because of the huge chalkboard advertising “muddy boots and dogs welcome”. We headed in, and straight away I knew I was onto a winner. Across the bar is a selection of dog treats and snacks, and they even serve dog ales!
My teenage son was starving and ordered a burger. It was huge, and he said it was delicious. There was a local couple at the table next to us; we got chatting over our dogs, and they recommended the homemade pies. There was plenty of space for the dogs to settle, and we enjoyed our meal.
The friendly staff even gave us a dog menu, making us feel very welcome. We sat inside, but we did take our coffees outside after. They have a massive beer garden with a pizzeria, which would be great on a summer’s night.
Such a friendly atmosphere, dog bowls of water and the option to go outside made it a perfect choice for us. One of the most dog focused restaurants in Northumberland we’ve visited so far.
Read the full review of our visit to the Masons Arms in Warkworth with dogs.
Warkworth is small enough to walk around easily, but planning ahead can make your visit smoother. Once you know where to find parking, public transport, toilets, and dog-friendly spots, getting around is simple.
The village centre parking can get busy, especially at peak times. Arriving early or using the car parks near Warkworth Castle or the beach can help you avoid stress. If you don't have a car, regular buses stop in the village, and you can enjoy a pleasant walk along the River Coquet from Amble.
You’ll find public toilets in the village and near Warkworth Beach, handy if you’re out for a long walk. Most cafes and restaurants offer facilities for customers stopping in for a bite or a drink.
Warkworth feels genuinely designed for dogs. Almost everything worth visiting welcomes them, from the castle and beach to the village's cafés and pubs. Water bowls are common. The Mason's Arms goes beyond, and the River Coquet offers perfect spots for a paddle.
Dog-Friendly Pubs & Cafés
After a walk along the river or a visit to the castle, Warkworth has some excellent dog-friendly places to eat and drink. These are the two we’d happily recommend time and time again.
A proper village pub with a large beer garden, excellent food and one of the warmest welcomes we’ve found for dogs, complete with treats, water bowls and even a dedicated dog menu.
A relaxed café in the heart of the village serving homemade food, great coffee and friendly service. Dogs are made to feel just as welcome, making it an easy stop before or after exploring Warkworth.
