Cafe in the Park

Cafe in the Park is a friendly sit-in café in Spa Gardens, Ripon, serving all-day breakfast, light bites, hot drinks and ice cream. Dogs are welcome inside, so there’s no need to take turns standing outside while the other half queues for coffee and a bacon sandwich.

Open daily from 9am until 3pm, with hours extended until 4pm during the summer, it’s a useful stop whether you’re exploring the park or wandering through the centre of Ripon. Dogs have their own menu, along with free treats and water bowls, while towels are available for soggy arrivals during the winter months. The staff are massive dog fans too and make plenty of fuss over every dog who comes through the door.

The café is also available for private parties and hosts pop-up evening events, all of which are dog-friendly. For the past two years, it has held a Dog Santa event where dogs can meet Father Christmas and have their photo taken with him, raising money for a dog charity in the process. With the gardens right outside, it’s an easy place to combine a sniff around the paths with a proper sit-down break.