May 2023
Our top 5 favourite things to do on a rainy day for a great day out with your family & dog near Rough Top Cottage, Hebden Bridge.
Dog friendly, rainy day outings for you, the family and your dog near Rough Top Cottage Hebden Bridge
Ok so it’s raining and you’ve already braved the Yorkshire mizzle (foggy drizzle and no I don’t know why it’s not Frizzle but it makes my hair go frizzy!) for a walk with the dogs and you’ve played out in the paddock. You’re back inside Rough Top Cottage warm and dry again so you could just chill out, read a book and relax. But you might be looking for something to do where you can escape the rain for part of the day and take the dogs?
The horses and ponies at HAPPA Horse and Pony Protection Association near Burnley.
Right is Cara a guest’s wolfhound waiting for the Barge at Hebden Bridge Cruises
- HAPPA Horse and Pony Protection Association near Burnley is a fantastic dog friendly place to explore. There’s lots of parking and mapped out walks to explore the area. When you have finished exploring the area, you can look around the stables (ticket needed upto 6 people for £6) and see the many rescued horses and ponies. There’s a great dog friendly café(downstairs for dogs) which does fantastic food. I highly recommend the Farmers Lunch and the cakes are delicious! HAPPA is very dog friendly and will give dogs water, cooling mats and you can ask for a sausage in the café! Make sure you visit the Fussy Filly gift and tack shop, there’s something for everyone including the dogs. All proceeds go to help HAPPA rescue and look after more horses in need. Visit their site for directions and more info https://www.happa.org.uk/
2. Hebden Bridge Cruises
Stop the world and get off and come on-board lovely Gracie, a traditional narrowboat. It’s not necessarily the first place you’d think to go with a dog but they are dog friendly so please mention you are bringing a dog when booking.
Treat yourself to a relaxing and scenic cruise along the Rochdale canal in the heart of the Calder Valley with their all female crew.
Book just for the cruise or enjoy a cream tea, afternoon tea or a taste of Yorkshire platter, as you relish in the tranquillity and beautiful scenery.
Visit https://hebdenbridgecruises.com/ to learn more and book.
Above left is the historic Skipton Castle at Skipton and right Whistlestop Valley train adventure land near Huddersfield
3. Skipton Castle
Over 900 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England and is well worth a visit at any season of the year.
Visitors can explore every corner of this impressive history-rich castle, which withstood a three-year siege during the Civil War. View the Banqueting Hall, the Kitchen, the Bedchamber and Privy. Climb from the depths of the Dungeon to the top storey of the Watch Tower. Dogs are allowed inside the castle on a tight lead but not in the café and gift shop. https://www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/
We spent several hours exploring and then went into Skipton town to the dog cafe Kibble Bakery on Sheep Street.
Talking of Kibble Bakery, Hebden Bridge now has its own dog café where humans are very well looked after too! At the moment the Dog Spa is only at the Skipton branch but you can book a doggy treatment and venture off to explore the town and collect your pampered pooches when their treatments are complete. https://kibblebakery.com/
4. Whistlestop Valley
This is a 3.5 mile long 15-in gauge railway line in the area of Kirklees. You can travel behind their great little steam trains with the journey taking around 25 minutes each way including the longest tunnel on any 15in gauge railway in Britain. There are outdoor play areas at both stations with one more suited to younger children.
Well-behaved pooches are very welcome at Whistlestop Valley on general admissions days and are permitted to travel free-of-charge on the Kirklees Light Railway. All they ask is that you book your dog a ticket. Dogs are allowed inside the facilities and eateries but they must be kept controlled and on a lead. https://www.whistlestopvalley.co.uk/
5. Pendle Hill
Pendle Hill is situated at the southern tip of the Yorkshire Dales in an idyllic area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Pendle. This is a popular attraction for hikers and cyclists so don’t forget your pooch. The hill rises 557ft above sea-level. You will have stunning panoramic views of the countryside once you reach the hill’s summit. Of course on a rainy day the views may not be great but the pubs will give you a warm welcome.
The Pendle Witches lived in the area over 400 years ago. These witches were part of Britain’s most famous witchcraft trials in 1612. Follow the witches’ trail from Barley its around 4 miles long and details are on the Barley Mow pub site. Relax in the tranquil surroundings at several dog friendly pubs but we particularly like the Barley Mow https://barleymowpendle.co.uk/.
That’s our top 5 favourite places to visit from Rough Top Cottage, but we’d love to hear from you if you discover more things to do and places to visit with your dog on a rainy day. Hopefully we’ll have a wonderful sunny summer and of course these places will be even better fun in the sunshine.
Rough Top Cottage is amazing place to explore Yorkshire and over the border into Lancashire, whatever the weather! Do you want to book a stay?