Indoor Dog Friendly Attractions

Not all of these attractions allow dogs in all indoor areas but all of them do allow dogs in some of their indoor / covered spaces.

I will provide as much info as I can under each heading (last checked Feb 2023) but please see each attraction website for the most up to date information. This post is written with reference to pet dogs rather than assistance dogs.

Indoor Dog Friendly Attractions in North East England

Did you know I have an Instagram acct dedicated to sharing dog friendly days out? You can follow along here: Dog Friendly North East Instagram

Berwick Museum & Art Gallery

Indoor Dog Friendly Attractions - Berwick Museum and Art Gallery

Berwick Museum and Art Gallery is open from April - late Autumn and dogs are welcome throughout. It's a fab museum with varied exhibitions. My favourite part is the Medieval Berwick section upstairs where you can walk through a dragon with your dog and there are various silly mirrors too.

See photos & more info from our visit to Berwick Museum here (please note, some of the exhbitions have since changed) and you might like to read 20+ things to do in Berwick too.

Berwick Museum Website: https://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/berwick-museum-art-gallery/

Barter Books

Barter Books in Alnwick is one of the largest second hand bookshops in the world. It's super charming with unique features and nods to it's past as a train station.

There is a children's corner and don't forget to look up to see the mini trains running above the bookshelves. Dogs are welcome in the bookshop (there is seating too) and the dog-friendly section of the cafe too. Check out this video which shares our visit to Barter Books with Fozzy.

Barter Books Website: https://www.barterbooks.co.uk/

Hexham Old Gaol

Hexham Old Gaol is located in the heart of Hexham Town Centre and dog-friendly throughout. It's open from April- late Autumn. The museum is the oldest surviving purpose built prison and shares what life was like for prisoners in the 1300s with interactive exhibits including stocks and a trip down to the dungeon.

Dogs are welcome in all areas of the museum.

You can see more photos & info from our visit to Hexham Old Gaol with Fozzy here (please note, some of the exhibitions have since changed) and read my full guide to visiting Hexham here.

Hexham Old Gaol Website: https://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/hexham-old-gaol/

Warkworth Castle

Warkworth Castle is one of our go-to places to visit with Fozzy and Ollie. It's not huge so never too busy yet there is enough for us to explore and make a visit worthwhile. Warkworth itself is super dog-friendly and the castle often runs special events.

Dogs are welcome in most areas including inside the castle. Read our guide to visiting Warkworth with kids & dogs here.

Warkworth Castle Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/warkworth-castle-and-hermitage/

Tanfield Railway

Dogs can travel on Britain's Oldest Railway free of charge and are welcome during non-special days. Tanfield ask that dogs are kept on leads and off the seats. It's a lovely little trip to try and there are fab walks around Causey Arch too.

Tanfield Railway Website: https://www.tanfield-railway.co.uk/

Aln Valley Railway

Aln Valley Railway runs steam, pacer and diesel trains in Alnwick and is a nice place to enjoy a family day out with your dog (especially if you combine with a trip to Barter Books). You can read our full guide to visiting here.

One dog per adult is permitted to travel on Aln Valley Railway up to a maximum of 10 dogs per carriage and visitors should keep dogs off seating.

Aln Valley Railway Website: https://www.alnvalleyrailway.co.uk/

While we are talking about trains, just a quick note to say that dogs were previously allowed on the trains at Stephenson Railway in North Tyneside but this is no longer the case. See here for the most up-to-date info.

Ford & Etal

Indoor Dog Friendly Attractions - Ford and Etal

Ford & Etal in Northumberland is super dog-friendly with multiple attractions allowing dogs in their indoor areas including:

Lady Waterford Hall (pictured)
Heatherslaw Light Railway
Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre and Museum
Cheviot Tap Bar Area
The Black Bull Bar Area
Boes Cafe

Most attractions open for the season from 27 March - 5 November but check individual venues for exact info. There is plenty to enjoy outdoors in this area too, you can read my full guide to visiting Ford & Etal here.

Ford & Etal Website: https://www.ford-and-etal.co.uk/

Bamburgh Castle

I will start by saying that dogs are not permitted inside the state rooms of the main castle, however there are plenty of areas they can enjoy. As well as the grounds, indoor areas where dogs are welcome include:

Tack Room Cafe
Stables
Armstrong & Aviation Museum

Read this guide to visiting Bamburgh Castle with your dog for further information.

Bamburgh Castle Website: https://www.bamburghcastle.com/

Woodhorn Museum

Dogs are not permitted inside the main museum but they are welcome to explore the historic buildings in the grounds and there is a covered outdoor area of the cafe where dogs can sit with their owners too (it overlooks a lovely playground).

The Woodhorn Website: https://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/

Eshott Airfield

Dogs are welcome to visit Eshott Airfield and can join their owners in the dog-friendly indoor viewing area / cafe. It's a lovely relaxing area with interesting displays and you can watch a range of aircraft take off and land (if you time it right). The cafe food is wonderful. Read our full review here.

Website: https://www.eshottairfield.com/

Royal Quays

Did you know that dogs are welcome inside most of the shops and cafes at Royal Quays? We have visited a few times with Fozzy and always found it to be a super accommodating place for dogs. Read our full guide to visiting here.

Website: https://royalquaysoutletcentre.com/

Other Shops

It's always worth researching whether dogs are allowed inside some of your favourite shops too as you may be surprised. For example dogs are welcome in some areas of John Lewis and Fenwick.

Pubs & Cafes

There are far too many dog-friendly pubs and cafes to list on here but I'm sure you know your favourites. Something to keep in mind if you fancy visiting somewhere quick, easy and close by that's indoors.

North East Land, Sea and Air Museum

Dogs on leads are welcome in all areas of this museum in Sunderland which features an Airport Hanger, WWII Street, Military Romney and more.

Website: https://www.nelsam.org.uk/

Emporium Ice Cream Parlour, Corbridge - now closed.

Emporium Ice Cream Parlour in Corbridge is super dog friendly. Your dogs can join you in their indoor seating area and they even sell special ice cream for dogs and treats too.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/EmporiumIce

Beamish

Dogs are not permitted in most of the indoor areas and buildings at Beamish but they are allowed in the grounds and enough of the indoor areas to definitely make a trip worthwhile. Indoor areas where dogs are usually permitted include:

Transport (lower deck at the conductors discretion - please keep them off the seats)
The covered seating/picnic area by the fairground
1820s Waggonway and Great Shed
1900s Engine Shed & Lamp Room
Rowley Station
The Sun Inn Pub
Entrance Building

There may be some exceptions during special events / super busy periods.

Beamish Website: https://www.beamish.org.uk/plan-your-visit/dogs/

Metro, Buses and Trains

I just thought it was worth adding that dogs are permitted on most public transport including Metros. Handy if it's pouring down and you don't fancy a wet walk but need to get somewhere.

Pets at Home / Pet Shop / Garden Centre

This is an obvious one but when my kids were little they loved a trip to the free farm (aka Pets at Home). If you need to get out of the house with little ones when the weather isn't the best, it's always worth keeping these options at the back of your mind. Most pet shops will spoil any pooches who visit and dogs are welcome at most garden centres (although do check their cafe restrictions).

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Indoor Dog Friendly Attractions (Rest of the UK)

Eden Camp

Eden Camp in North Yorkshire is super dog friendly. Dogs are permitted in all of the display huts (of which there is many) and in a designated area in the cafe.

This museum is a former prisoner of war camp and shares varied and interesting exhibits around all aspects of war. Some of the display huts are dark / contain flashing lights etc....but this is clearly signposted outside and easy to avoid if your dog is nervous. Read our guide to visiting Eden Camp with dogs here.

Website: https://edencamp.co.uk/

Ryedale Folk Museum

Ryedale Folk Museum is fairly close to Eden Camp and you could visit them both on the same day. Dogs are welcome in all areas of the museum including the buildings. There isn't a cafe but there are dog-friendly tearooms and a pub in the village.

The museum celebrates the history of the area with heritage and historic buildings spanning a huge time span (including a witch's cave) plus rare breed farm animals and a 1950s street.

Website: https://www.ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk/

North York Moors Railway

Dogs are welcome to join you on a trip with North York Moors Railway (with the exception of special events and dining carriages). Tickets are £3 and you are asked to keep your dog off the seats. We enjoyed a lovely trip on this railway with Fozzy last summer.

Website: https://www.nymr.co.uk/

Matlock Bath Aquarium

During our stay in the Peak District, I was chuffed to see that dogs were welcome in the local aquarium. Fozzy had a great time meeting the turtles and fish.

Website: https://www.matlockbathaquarium.co.uk/