The Dog Friendly Map
®
Days Out Are For Dogs Too
Dog-Friendly Ashbourne
Last Updated:
22 Jun 2026
Ashbourne is a handsome market town at the southern edge of the Peak District, combining a compact centre of independent shops, cafés and pubs with quick access to open countryside. Dovedale, Ilam and several gentler riverside or village walks are close enough for an easy day out with a dog. The town works particularly well as a comfortable base where outdoor exploring can be balanced with useful indoor stops.
Ashbourne at a glance...
Outdoor Access
The traffic-free Tissington Trail begins on the edge of town. Dovedale, Ilam and the surrounding countryside offer longer walks, with leads advisable around livestock.
Best Parking
Mapleton Lane car park provides direct access to the traffic-free Tissington Trail on the edge of Ashbourne.
Rainy Day Potential
The compact market centre offers cafés, pubs and shops where dogs can join you indoors between brief walks.
Best For...
Market-town browsing, traffic-free trail walks, Peak District scenery and dogs who prefer steady mileage to steep climbs.
Explore dog-friendly Ashbourne
Seen this on the Map?
It marks our Recommended Partners - places that go that bit further, so dogs feel properly welcome
Top Dog-Friendly Picks
The Okeover Arms
Rabbit and Stitch
National Trust - Ilam Park
Short on time? Start with these three Ashbourne favourites: a countryside pub, a stylish café and bistro and a riverside parkland estate.
The Okeover Arms is a family-friendly country pub where dogs are genuinely part of the experience. Fresh water bowls, a dedicated doggy menu and free roast meat on Sundays make this an easy, welcoming stop after a countryside wander.
Rabbit and Stitch is a stylish Ashbourne café where dogs are welcome inside, meaning nobody has to split up for coffee, brunch or a more polished lunch. A very good choice when the day calls for something a little more dressed-up.
National Trust - Ilam Park offers riverside paths, open parkland and wide Derbyshire views right on the edge of Dovedale. Dogs are welcome throughout on lead and also at the Grab & Go outlet.
Nearby Dog-Friendly Towns
Exploring further? These nearby dog-friendly towns are a short drive away and just as useful when dogs need to be welcome inside.
Explore dog-friendly Matlock Bath
Explore dog-friendly Bakewell
Explore dog-friendly Buxton
Easy dog-friendly plans
Quick visit
Town Centre Coffee and Brunch Wander
1–3 hours · Best for a relaxed first taste of ashbourne
Start with coffee and cake at F'Coffee in Horse and Jockey Yard, then explore St John Street and the cobbled Market Place before settling in for brunch at Rabbit and Stitch. Finish with a drink in the bar area at The Bowling Green Inn Steakhouse if hunger calls for something more substantial.
Half-day plan
Ilam Park Walk and Country Pub Lunch
2–4 hours · Best for big views and a proper derbyshire day out
Drive to Ilam Park for a scenic riverside or parkland walk with the dog on lead, exploring National Trust grounds and Dovedale edges. Afterwards, drive to nearby Thorpe and The Okeover Arms for lunch, where dogs receive fresh water, treats and even free roast meat on Sundays.
Longer wander
Tissington Trail Out and Back
3–5 hours · Best for steady miles and peaceful peak district scenery
Join the traffic-free Tissington Trail from Ashbourne and walk as far as energy allows through open countryside and limestone scenery. Turn back when ready, then drive to The Waterloo Inn at Biggin-by-Hartington or The Old Dog at Thorpe for a well-earned post-walk pint and hearty pub lunch.
Is Ashbourne a good place to visit with a dog?
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Yes. Ashbourne is an excellent choice for a dog-friendly day out, combining a compact, walkable market town with quick access to Peak District countryside. The town centre offers independent shops, cafés and pubs where dogs are welcome inside, while the traffic-free Tissington Trail starts on the edge of town and Dovedale is close enough for an easy countryside walk. Ashbourne works particularly well if you want to balance outdoor exploring with comfortable indoor stops, and the gentler terrain suits dogs who prefer steady mileage to steep climbs.
Can I take my dog inside pubs and cafes in Ashbourne?
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Yes. Every pub and café shown on The Dog Friendly Map is mapped because dogs are welcome inside, so you can plan coffee, brunch or lunch stops without leaving your dog tied up outside. In Ashbourne, that includes F'Coffee in Horse and Jockey Yard, Rabbit and Stitch on St John Street, and pubs such as The Hug and Heave, Ye Olde Vaults and The Coach and Horses, making it easy to settle in for a drink after exploring the town or surrounding countryside.
What can I do with my dog in Ashbourne on a rainy day?
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Ashbourne's compact market centre makes rainy days manageable, with cafés, pubs and shops where dogs are welcome inside between brief walks. Start with coffee at F'Coffee or Café Impromptu, then explore St John Street and the cobbled Market Place before settling in for brunch at Rabbit and Stitch or a drink at The Coach and Horses. Fairways Garden Centre also welcomes dogs inside on a lead. The Tissington Trail provides a straightforward walking option if you want a shorter outdoor stretch without committing to a full countryside expedition.
What dog-friendly family days out are there near Ashbourne?
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National Trust Ilam Park offers riverside paths and open parkland where dogs are welcome on lead throughout, plus access to the Grab & Go outlet, making it a strong family choice right on the edge of Dovedale. Carsington Water provides around eight miles of walking trails with big views, though dogs must stay on lead because of wildlife. Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath welcomes dogs on the cable cars and around the 60-acre hilltop estate, including the café and gift shops. The Tissington Trail is ideal for families wanting an easy, traffic-free walk that suits all ages and energy levels.
Where is the best place to park for a dog-friendly day in Ashbourne?
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Mapleton Lane car park is the best choice if you want direct access to the traffic-free Tissington Trail on the edge of Ashbourne, making it ideal for a countryside walk followed by a town-centre stop. For a day focused on exploring Ashbourne's market centre, cafés and pubs, the central car parks close to St John Street and the Market Place work well, putting you straight into the heart of the town. Both options are straightforward and suit dogs who are ready to start exploring the moment the car door opens.