The Bike & Boot itself is one of my favourite hotels to stay in, especially with Cookie. The hotel is incredibly dog friendly, and both me and Cookie couldn’t feel more welcome there. So, whether you have a dog, or are just planning an adventure around Scarborough or the North York Moors, then I’d highly recommend a stay here.
I stayed here during my 10-week-long ‘A Walk in the Parks‘ adventure. At this point, I was two weeks in (and on my second national park), and hiking around the North York Moors. I have actually been back again since for a wintery weekend by the sea. Whatever time of year I love a trip to Scarborough.
Even when reaching this stage of the trip, I hadn’t quite gotten past my nervousness for the weeks ahead. So, it was the perfect time for a stay in Scarborough.
Scarborough holds a lot of fond memories for me. My Dad lived there for a year so for me, it feels like a home from home.
It was absolute luxury to be in one place for 3 nights and felt like a proper break after 2 weeks of moving location every night. I was gifted a 3 night stay at Bike and Boot, but as always all opinions are my own.
So, if you’re on the lookout for a fun, welcoming and dog friendly stay on the edge of the world-renowned North York Moors, then Bike & Boot is one of my absolute favourite places to stay.
Visiting The North York Moors
In a bold (but equally beautiful contrast) to national parks like the Brecon Beacons and the dreamy New Forest, the North York Moors are broody, dark and wild.
This landscape is known for its vast expanses of heather and rugged, seemingly untouched terrain. As a result, it’s the perfect place for stomping through fields, and immersing yourself in Mother Nature.
In addition to its ample hikes and walking trails, the Moors are also home to a number of historic towns and villages, which are equally worth a visit. These include Helmsley, Goathland (a firm favourite amongst Harry Potter fans, thanks to its iconic railway station), and Pickering.
Of course, being from nearby Derbyshire, I already knew about most of these unique attractions.
However, I was surprised (and delighted!) to learn that the North York Moors are a designated Dark Sky Reserve. This means that, because it is completely void of light pollution, the area offers some of the most incredible stargazing opportunities in the world.
Best Dog Friendly Hotel In Scarborough
The Rooms At Bike & Boot
Bike & Boot is located in Scarborough, right on the edge of the North York Moors (it also has a second location in the Peak District, which I’d highly recommend).
The hotel is positioned right on the edge of the North York Moors, making it the ideal pitstop for walkers and adventurers. In fact, I’ve now stayed here three times!
For me, two of the key draws of the hotel are how reasonably priced the rooms are (including affordable Boot Room and Small Double options), and how dog friendly it is throughout.
In the room itself, there was a dog bed and toy included (which felt super thoughtful, and made Cookie feel right at home!). Then in the rest of the hotel, there was a dedicated dog washing area, and plenty of treats.
The dog washing area was brilliant, with dog groom style wash and dry stations, including a super powerful hair dryer. Which is perfect for dogs as hairy as Cookie. There is also a boot and bike washing station and space to store your bikes too.
Bike & Boot has funky rooms that are both perfectly neat and clean, and full of playfulness. It’s a vibe that transcends throughout the hotel, and its warm, lively atmosphere has always kept me coming back.
I was in a fabulous large room, with amazing views of the sea. After a long day’s walking, this bright, colourful room was exactly what I needed.
The room’s other features include a mini bar (which you have to pay to use), plus plenty of tea and a fancy coffee machine (both of which you could freely help yourself to).
Then, when you step out of the room, you are greeted with loads of other friendly, like minded people, who you can share your adventure plans with.
Bike & Boot Pub And Restaurant
As you can imagine from a hotel with this much warmth and personality, they were never going to let us go hungry!
The food at the Bike & Boot is just as generous as the rest of the service. Something that I thought was a particularly lovely touch was the way that they offer free cake throughout the afternoon, in the hotel lounge area. On the days that I wasn’t walking, this was the perfect respite, complete with stunning sea views.
In the evening, the hotel restaurant offers a wide choice of great food. The menu is filled with classic hearty crowd-pleasers, including pizza, pasta and burgers – exactly the fuel you need for a North York Moors stay!
Then in the mornings, I headed down to check out the ‘Bareca Buffet Breakfast’. Of course, I was thrilled to learn that this included pancakes!
The Bike & Boot offers fantastic value for money, and a really thoughtful, welcoming service. I loved the extra little touches and bonus services, like the cinema room. This film club is free to use, and has film screenings three times a day. These include plenty of family favourites and beloved classics.
I loved spending a day relaxing (and blogging) in their lounge. Topping up on free tea and inhaling the afternoon cake. I also managed to squeeze in a morning sea swim too. I never regret a sea swim, same way I never regret a hike!
Things To Do In Scarborough
In between your walks through the North York Moors, I’d highly recommend saving some time to explore Scarborough.
It’s a charming, picturesque town, which is filled with both historical landmarks, and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Here are some of my top recommendations for things to do in Scarborough, Yorkshire.
- Book a Scarborough Spa concert – this famous Victorian entertainment complex is one of North Yorkshire’s most unique and iconic attractions. After a century’s worth of use, Scarborough Spa has now been reinvented as a dazzling concert venue. There’s a wide range of events and performers in the Spa’s calendar, including an elegant classical orchestra.
- Go for a sea swim – this was one of the highlights from my most recent stay in Scarborough. At pretty much any time of year, the sea is full of brave swimmers. Then, after the shock of the cold, this is a wonderful way to boost your energy levels.
- Explore the beaches – either pre or post-dip, Scarborough’s beaches are well worth an explore. The town has two beaches, along its North Bay and South Bay. Or, if you want to make a full day of it, Cornelian Bay and Cayton Bay are a little bit further out, but are more rugged, private spots, which are beautiful throughout the year. There are some beautiful coastal walks from Sarborough worth trying.
- Learn about the history of Scarborough Castle – the historic Scarborough Castle has been standing in this spot for over 3,000 years. It is dramatically located on the cliffs, and boasts exceptional sea views. If you’re interested in history, this is definitely a must-visit. In fact, the castle has a history intertwined with Vikings, the Tudors, and everything in between.
- Tuck into fish and chips on the harbour – finally, after a day of walking or exploring, there’s no better way to continue the holiday spirit than by getting some classic fish and chips, and enjoying them on Scarborough’s traditional harbour.
- Try some yoga by the sea – I woke up early one morning to do some yoga by the sea. It was a brilliant way to start the day and Cookie even joined in with some of the poses. I did my yoga with Happy Seal Yoga who do a few outdoor yoga sessions in the area.
I loved my stay at Bike & Boot, and it was the perfect way to unwind after my stomp around the North York Moors. Next time I’m on a moorland adventure, or exploring the sights of Scarborough, I’d definitely visit again. So, if you’re looking for a dog friendly stay in the North York Moors, then I would always recommend Bike & Boot.
