A good dog walk can be one of the best parts of a break, especially when somebody local has already pointed you in the right direction. These are four of our team’s favourite places to stretch your legs near Willow Pastures. There is an easy walk straight from the park, a waterside outing, a city walk with plenty of character and a relaxed family option with room for a picnic.
They are genuine recommendations from our office team, with the practical details we would want to know before starting holiday in Yorkshire!
STARTS DIRECTLY FROM WILLOW PASTURES ON SITE NATURE TRAIL
Jo’s favourite is the simplest of the five because there is no need to get in the car. You can set off from Willow Pastures and join the Trans Pennine Trail, which follows the old Hull to Hornsea railway line through this part of East Yorkshire. Reception will be happy to point you towards the on site access gate, which will also be on your welcome information sheet which is collected at check in.
The trail is generally level and largely traffic-free, making it a relaxed choice for a steady walk. It is a shared route, so keep an ear out for cyclists and give horse riders plenty of room. Dogs should stay close and under control, particularly near road crossings, other animals and busier sections of the path.
The Railway Inn option:
For an easy outing, walk for around 35 minutes to the Railway Inn at New Ellerby. It is a natural stopping point for a drink or something to eat before following the same trail back to Willow Pastures.
At the time of writing, the pub welcomes well-behaved dogs at designated tables in its tiled bar area. Indoor dog access is Monday – Saturday, and the pub recommends reserving a dog-friendly table in advance. Opening hours and policies can change, so check before setting off.
The longer Hornsea option:
If you and your dog prefer a much longer walk, the same trail continues east towards Hornsea. Treat this as a full outing rather than a quick extension and allow plenty of daylight, carry water and make a return plan before you leave. An out-and-back walk also works well because you can simply turn around when you have both had enough.
USEFUL LINKS:
Trans Pennine Trail route information | Railway Inn dog policy and bookings
APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MINUTES BY CAR
Tracy recommends Welton Waters when you want a dog friendly waterside outing with the option to do more than walk. The journey from Willow Pastures is approximately 35 to 40 minutes in normal traffic, taking you west of Hull to the sheltered waters near Brough.
This is less of a waymarked long distance walk and more of a relaxed visit beside the water. You can enjoy the setting with your dog, stop at the on-site café or book an activity if somebody in your group fancies getting out on the lake. The centre offers activities including sailing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, open-water swimming, windsurfing and archery, although availability, ages and session times vary.
Welton Waters is dog friendly and says dogs may be in or on the water with their owners. When archery is taking place, dogs must be kept on a lead and clear of the activity area. Follow staff instructions around the water and working parts of the centre, and check the timetable before travelling if an activity is an important part of your day, weather can affect what runs.
If you are taking part in a water activity, the centre advises bringing swimwear, a towel and old trainers that can get wet. Footwear is required on the water, and Crocs and flip-flops are not accepted for safety reasons.
You can also access the Trans Pennine Trail from here and walk into Hessle which is a local, small town.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
• Address: Welton Waters Adventure Centre, Common Lane South, Welton, Brough, HU15 1XL.
• Dogs: welcome, with special lead rules when archery is taking place.
• Facilities: café, changing facilities and activity equipment supplied for booked sessions.
AROUND 10 MINUTES BY CAR
East Park is a good choice when you want an easy walk that works for children, grandparents and dogs in the same outing. Hull’s largest park covers around 130 acres, with plenty of paths, open views, gardens and waterside interest.
Bring a picnic and take the day at your own pace. Families can make use of the play area and seasonal splash pad, while the park also has a boating lake, sensory garden, café and free Animal Education Centre.
Keep your dog under close control around wildlife, families and busier paths, and follow any signs in the park. Public toilets are available behind the boathouse near the Animal Education Centre, including accessible facilities, and the main vehicle access is through the car park at Woodford Leisure Centre. Opening times for individual attractions can change, so check the park page on the day.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
• Address: East Park, Holderness Road, Hull, HU8 8JU.
• Best for: a flexible family walk, picnic and plenty of space to slow the pace down.
APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MINUTES BY CAR
This mixes an urban dog walk with river views, independent places to stop and some of Hull’s best known historic streets. Drive into Hull and begin around the waterfront or Fruit Market area, then follow the frontage towards Humber Street and the marina before wandering into the Old Town. Depending on where you turn back and how often you stop, the walking itself can be a gentle 45 minutes or an unhurried couple of hours.
This part of Hull is compact and mostly flat, so it is easy to shape the route around your dog. Keep them on a lead beside roads and the water’s edge, and take a little care on cobbles or wet paving. City-centre parking restrictions and charges vary, so check the signs where you leave the car.
Humber Street was once part of Hull’s fruit market and is lots of dog friendly cafés, restaurants, galleries and independent businesses. Look down as you explore and you may spot parts of the old town wall and Hessle Gate marked in the paving. Visit Hull’s free heritage walk is useful if you want to add more stories to the route.
For brunch or coffee, Humber Street has so many dog friendly spots to choose from, individual businesses set their own policies and opening days, so a quick check before visiting is always sensible.
USEFUL LINKS
APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MINUTES BY CAR
Emily recommends Mappleton Beach when you want a quieter coastal walk with plenty of space and fresh sea air. It’s around 15 to 20 minutes from the park by car, although the journey can vary with traffic. The beach is around three miles south of Hornsea, on the Holderness coast.
The main stretch is sandy and sits between two granite rock breakwaters. It is a lovely place for a simple walk, and children often enjoy looking for fossils that have washed out of the cliffs. Mappleton isn’t one of the East Riding beaches with a seasonal dog-exclusion zone, making it a useful year round choice. Check the signs on arrival and keep your dog close around other visitors, wildlife and the sea defence rocks.
Parking and amenities:
The free Cliff Lane car park is open 24 hours and includes standard and disabled spaces. Toilets are listed at the top of the beach access and are normally available all year. Coastal erosion can affect the car park and facilities, so follow current signs and check the council page before making a special journey. The Old Post Office Tearooms on Cliff Lane is a handy stop for homemade meals, cakes and drinks after the beach. Its current venue listing describes it as very dog friendly, with water and dog beds available. Check the latest opening hours before relying on it for refreshments.
What to know before going down to the beach:
Access is down a long, steep slipway, which means this is not a suitable choice for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility. At the bottom, the beach to the north is usually flatter and sandier, while the southern side can be rocky and may have a drop depending on changing sand levels.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
• Address: Mappleton Beach, Cliff Lane, Mappleton, HU18 1XX.
• Parking: free cliff top car park, open 24 hours and subject to current erosion related signs.
• Facilities: toilets are listed near the car park, with refreshments available at The Old Post Office Tearooms during opening hours
Check Mappleton Beach access and facilities | The Old Post Office Tearooms
• Use a lead near livestock, wildlife, roads, water and busy shared paths.
• Check the weather, daylight and route length, especially for the longer Hornsea option.
• Recheck opening hours, activity timetables and dog policies before making a special journey.
• Give cyclists, horse riders and other dogs enough room on shared routes.
If you would like a little help choosing the right walk, have a chat with reception during your stay. We can point you towards the Trans Pennine Trail and share any recent local updates we have heard. Whichever route you choose, we hope you and your dog enjoy seeing a little more of East Yorkshire!