A substantial chunk of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire, so it’s in prime walkies territory. If you and your dog fancy exploring the sights and smells of the great outdoors, then hitting a delightful pub for a tipple and a bite to eat, look no further. We’ve done our research and rounded up the best dog-friendly pubs in Derbyshire!

If you don’t live in the county, remember, the UK’s dog-friendly trains make reaching Derbyshire’s villages and hills a doddle. 

1. Holly Bush Inn

Address & Map: Holly Bush Lane, Belper, DE56 0RX

This traditional 17th century village inn hasn’t changed much since highwayman Dick Turpin reputedly frequented the place on his travels. The Grade II-listed pub is on the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors so it’s chock full of well-preserved original features. It’s also popular with dog walkers, locals, and ale lovers—it won CAMRA’s (Campaign for Real Ale) Amber Valley Pub of the Year in 2015. As you would expect they offer an ever changing selection of real ales from local microbreweries, and stock up to three guest ciders as well as a range of wines, and of course non-alcoholic beverages. Furry guests will enjoy bowls of fresh water and a treat, and if you’re feeling generous maybe a scrap or two from one of their sumptuous Sunday roasts or legendary pork pies. The pub hosts two annual beer festivals and various themed food events featuring live music throughout the year.

2. The White Lion

Address & Map: 352 Tamworth Road, Sawley, NG10 3AT

Inside The White Lion near Sawley Marina, you’ll find friendly punters, great beer, wooden beams lined with hops, and lots of happy dogs. Built in 1752, the family-run, Casque Mark accredited pub offers eight quality cask ales (many of which are brewed at the Old Sawley Brewing Company, a microbrewery based on-site), six real ciders and a comprehensive wine list alongside the usual tipples. If you’re worried about the ale going to your head, they serve delicious wood-fired pizza at the weekends and freshly made filled rolls every day. 

Furry visitors are welcome to sit nicely and socialise with other good boys and girls throughout the bar and run around off the lead in the lovely enclosed beer garden. They’ll be offered special treats from the dog biscuit cupboard, and there are always bowls of fresh water, poop bags, and bins available.

3. The Rykneld Turnpyke

Address & Map: John Street, Chesterfield, S45 9NQ

Once the Egstow Working Men’s Club, this one-room pub features brightly coloured walls, real fires, and a long bar area. They have an impressive array of 12 handpumps serving mostly local beers and real ciders, alongside the ales from the on-site Instant Karma Brewery. You and your four-legged companion can view the brewery through a large window in the pub. People food here includes pork pies and cheese boards, while dogs will get a nice biscuit or soft chew if their missing a few teeth. Furry regulars will enjoy catching up with other dogs, and their owners can do the same, occasionally against the backdrop of some live music.

4. The Miners Arms

Address & Map: Hundall Lane, S18 4BS

With countryside views of the Peak District, plus a grassy green just outside the gate of its beer garden, The Miners Arms is the perfect pit-stop for dogs and their owners. Doggy water bowls are available inside and out, and dog snacks are provided so they can eat inside with their owners. The pub won CAMRA’s (Campaign for Real Ale) Winter Pub of the Season 2014, and serves a nice range of real ales and real ciders.

Outside there’s a shaded conifer area which is a favourite with the pub dogs, a tap and hose pipe for cleaning muddy paws as well as a dog-friendly conservatory where muddy boots can be left. Dogs are allowed to make friends off-lead if they’re well behaved, which the regular four-legged visitors are. Human food includes snacks such as sausage rolls and pastries and for extra hungry hounds there’s a dog treat machine with the proceeds going to Thornberry Animal Sanctuary.

5. The Goyt Inn

Address & Map: Bridge Street, High Peak, SK23 7LR

All dogs with well-behaved owners are welcome in The Goyt Inn. Tucked away in a scenic part of the country, right by the High Peak canal, there are lots of lovely walks right on the pub’s doorstep. Call in to the characterful local after walkies if you fancy a pint of great beer. They serve five changing beers and the pub is accredited by Casque Mark so you know their draught ale is top-notch.

Dogs will love meeting some of the pub’s fellow furry patrons here and will be able to quench their thirst with a nice bowl of water. The landlord will also spoil your little angel with treats and if she’s especially lucky, a gravy bone. During the winter she can catch forty-winks on the flagstone floor by the log fire, and there’s a smashing little beer garden to lounge around in come summer.

6. The Hyde Park Inn

Address & Map: Hilltop Road, Dronfield, S18 1UH

There are two labradors living at The Hyde Park Inn who often pop out to make sure all is well and that the canine clientele are enjoying themselves. For humans there’s a large selection of guests ales, lagers, bitters, fine wines, and soft drinks, otherwise known as, something for everyone.

Dogs are allowed inside with owners or outside where there’s a beer garden filled with tables, plus trees and umbrellas to offer shade on sunny days. You’ll even find an H2O doggy bar with plenty of fresh water for thirsty hounds, plus doggy treats and water bowls. The menu features a huge selection of sandwiches, hot dogs, and pub classics like homemade pie, and fish and chips. Yum.

7. Poet & Castle

Address & Map: 2 Alfreton Road, Ripley, DE5 9QY

The Poet & Castle is a proper pub, and a haven for dog walkers. Once you’ve had a nice stroll with your wee mate, pop into this delightful boozer and nab a spot in one of their quiet corners or big comfy chairs in front of the log burner. Dogs are also very welcome in the extensive beer garden and patio area, and they’ll have access to water bowls both in the pub and outside.

There’s a well-stocked tin of dog treats behind the bar that the staff are more than happy to dole out to furry customers, along with a scratch or a cuddle. Owners have a choice of classic, home-cooked pub dishes to choose from and are welcome to eat in the bar area with their dogs. If you fancy a tipple they have ten pumps serving real ales, 25 whiskies, and 35 gins—in case that sounds a bit overwhelming they throw monthly gin tastings so that you can get your bearings!

8. Coach & Horses

Address & Map: 1 Victoria Road, Derby, DE72 3NA

The Coach & Horses is a community pub situated in part of the local Draycott heritage area. The dog-friendly haunt is Cask Marque accredited so it serves three real ales, and offers food four days a week—they do a mean Sunday lunch. It has a dartboard, pool table, and a big screen showing any major sporting events. On Saturday nights, otherwise known as ‘music night’ at the Coach & Horses, you can bop along to a live band or belt out a song at karaoke.

After enjoying a treat courtesy of the friendly bar staff, and maybe a sip or two of water, your  little buddy will be able to socialise with other lovely dogs throughout the lounge, bar area, and beer garden. He also might prefer to have a nap next to the fire if he’s had a big day.

9. The Shire Horse

Address & Map: Edlaston Lane, Ashbourne, DE6 2DQ

The team at The Shire Horse in the charming market town of Ashbourne in the Derbyshire Dales are avid dog lovers. They even have a resident hound called Max to schmooze four-legged customers, and are excited to welcome dogs in select areas of the pub and restaurant—there’s even a roaring fire for them to curl up next to. On entry the staff will offer your dog a bowl of water, and will more than certainly shower him with attention and cuddles to boot.

As well as providing at least two real ales on tap, an extensive wine list, and over 30 gins, The Shire Horse offers culinary treats for meat eaters, veggies, and those with any special dietary requirements (just let your server know about them or call ahead). They also use high-quality produce and can trace all of their meat and fish to specific farms and seas around the world. 

So now you know that there are plenty of dog-friendly pubs in Derbyshire. If your dog’s a bit sensitive to loud noises, you might want to get him home early when the pub starts getting a bit loud. But if you’re enjoying yourself and don’t want to call it a night, remember that you can always find a loving dog sitter who’ll treat your dog like family on Rover! 

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Featured image: The White Lion