The Derbyshire Dales is a wonderful area to explore with your dog, with everything from gentle park and riverside walks to traffic-free trails through some of the Peak District’s finest countryside.
Around Matlock and Two Dales there are plenty of places to explore on foot without travelling far, while Chatsworth, Bakewell and some of the best-known walking routes in the Peak District are all within easy reach.
If you’re visiting Derbyshire with your dog, here are some of our local suggestions for walks, days out and places to stop along the way.
Explore Two Dales and the White Peak Loop
Two Dales is a great starting point if you want to get out for a walk without first having to drive somewhere.
Part of the White Peak Loop passes through the area, with the route running alongside sections of the Peak Rail heritage railway line. From Two Dales you can head towards Whitworth Park and join the trail, following it through the local countryside.
You can make the walk as long or short as you like, making it a good option for anything from a morning stroll to a longer day out.
Whitworth Park itself is also worth exploring. With open parkland and paths, it makes an easy shorter walk in its own right. There’s also a café in the park with outside seating where you can stop for a drink.
Walk Through Matlock and Along the River Derwent
Nearby Matlock is another easy place to spend a few hours with your dog.
Hall Leys Park sits right in the centre of town alongside the River Derwent, and from here you can combine a riverside walk with a wander around Matlock itself.
The park and river are particularly attractive when the trees change colour in autumn, but it’s an enjoyable easy walk at any time of year and gives you the option of stopping for something to eat or drink while you’re in town.
There are dog-friendly pubs in Matlock too. The Remarkable Hare on Dale Road and The Red Lion at Matlock Green are two local options where dogs are welcome.
Dog policies and opening arrangements can change, so it’s always worth checking directly with individual venues before making a special journey.
Enjoy a Dog-Friendly Day Out at Chatsworth
Chatsworth is only a short drive from Matlock and Two Dales and offers plenty of opportunities to explore with your dog.
Dogs are welcome throughout Chatsworth’s park and garden when kept on a lead, and the extensive parkland makes it possible to enjoy a substantial walk while taking in views of the house and surrounding estate.
It’s a lovely place to visit throughout the year, although the parkland is particularly impressive during autumn as the mature trees change colour.
Dogs aren’t generally permitted inside Chatsworth House, the farmyard or adventure playground, apart from assistance dogs, so check the latest information from Chatsworth when planning your visit.
Take a Walk Along the Monsal Trail
The Monsal Trail is one of the best-known traffic-free trails in the Peak District and an excellent option for a day out with your dog.
Following the route of the former Midland Railway, the trail stretches for 8.5 miles between Bakewell and Blackwell Mill at Chee Dale.
There’s no need to walk all of it. With various access points along the route, you can choose a section and distance that suits you and your dog.
Old railway tunnels, dramatic limestone scenery and the spectacular Headstone Viaduct make the Monsal Trail a very different walk from those around Matlock and Two Dales.
Dogs are welcome on the trail, although they should be kept on a lead for their safety and the consideration of other visitors.
Discover the High Peak Trail
Another former railway route, the High Peak Trail provides miles of largely traffic-free countryside to explore.
The trail runs from Dowlow, south of Buxton, towards High Peak Junction near Cromford and passes through some wonderful Derbyshire countryside along the way.
Again, you don’t need to tackle the entire route. Choosing a shorter section makes it easy to turn the High Peak Trail into a relaxed morning or afternoon walk.
Dogs are welcome on the Peak District National Park’s recreational trails, although they should be kept under close control.
Explore the Tissington Trail
The Tissington Trail is another good option if you’re looking for a longer walk or cycle route through the Derbyshire countryside.
Running for around 13 miles between Parsley Hay and Ashbourne, the trail follows a former railway line through the limestone landscape of the southern Peak District and passes close to the picturesque village of Tissington.
There are various access points, so it’s easy to choose a manageable section rather than walking the complete trail.
Together with the Monsal and High Peak trails, it gives dog owners plenty of choice when looking for traffic-free routes to explore.
Explore Lumsdale
Lumsdale is another lovely area to explore on foot, with a network of paths through the valley and surrounding countryside.
The wooded valley is particularly atmospheric and provides a very different walk from the open trails and parkland elsewhere in the area.
If you fancy stopping for a drink afterwards, Bentley Brook Brewing Co. has a taproom at the bottom of Lumsdale where dogs are welcome. It’s a handy option if you’re exploring this side of Matlock with your dog.
Walking With Your Dog in the Derbyshire Countryside
Whichever route you choose, remember that much of Derbyshire and the Peak District is working countryside.
The Peak District National Park asks visitors to keep dogs under close control, to use a short lead around livestock and to follow any signs or seasonal restrictions they encounter.
Dogs are welcome on the National Park’s Monsal, Tissington, High Peak and Manifold trails, making these particularly useful options if you’re visiting the area with a dog.
It’s also worth remembering that conditions can change considerably with the seasons. Some routes that make an easy summer walk can become very muddy after prolonged rain, so good footwear — and a towel for muddy paws in the car — can be useful additions.
Looking for a Dog-Friendly Cottage for Two in Derbyshire?
If you’d like to turn a day exploring Derbyshire with your dog into a longer stay, Brookside Retreat is a dog-friendly cottage for two in the village of Two Dales.
The traditional one-bedroom Derbyshire cottage is particularly suited to couples looking for a romantic countryside getaway without having to leave their dog at home.
Its location also puts many of the places we’ve mentioned in this guide within easy reach. You can explore Two Dales and local walks from the village, head into nearby Matlock or drive to Chatsworth, Bakewell and some of the best-known walking country in the Peak District.
Inside, Brookside Retreat has a well-equipped kitchen and comfortable sitting room with feature fireplace, while outside there’s a private patio and grassed area to the rear. Electric vehicle charging is also available at the property.
Dogs are welcome at Brookside Retreat for an additional charge of £25.
Discover Brookside Retreat – our dog-friendly cottage for two in Derbyshire
Dog-Friendly Days Out in Derbyshire: Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I walk my dog in the Derbyshire Dales?
There are plenty of options, from local walks around Two Dales and Matlock to longer traffic-free routes through the Peak District. The Monsal Trail, High Peak Trail and Tissington Trail all welcome dogs, while Chatsworth’s park and garden can also be explored with dogs on leads.
Is the Monsal Trail dog friendly?
Yes. Dogs are welcome on the Monsal Trail, although the Peak District National Park asks owners to keep them on a lead for their safety and the consideration of other visitors. The trail runs for 8.5 miles between Bakewell and Blackwell Mill at Chee Dale, with several access points along the way.
Can I take my dog to Chatsworth?
Yes. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in Chatsworth’s garden and park and should be kept on a lead. With the exception of assistance dogs, dogs aren’t permitted inside Chatsworth House, the farmyard or adventure playground.
Where can couples stay with a dog in the Derbyshire Dales?
Brookside Retreat in Two Dales is a dog-friendly one-bedroom cottage for two, making it particularly suited to couples exploring the Derbyshire Dales and Peak District with their dog. Matlock, Bakewell and Chatsworth are all within easy reach, and dogs are welcome at the cottage for an additional charge.
Discover Derbyshire With Your Dog
One of the pleasures of exploring the Derbyshire Dales with a dog is the sheer variety of places you can discover.
You might spend a morning walking from Two Dales, follow the River Derwent through Matlock, enjoy the parkland at Chatsworth or head further into the Peak District for a longer walk along one of its traffic-free trails.
Add in some welcoming places to stop for food and drink along the way and there’s plenty to keep both you and your four-legged travelling companion occupied.
Wherever you choose to explore, check current access information and individual dog policies before setting off, particularly if you’re planning to visit an attraction, pub or café.
Then all that’s left is to choose a walk, pack the lead and walking boots, and get out and discover Derbyshire together.