Muddy Stilettos

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly-days-out">Dog-friendly days out</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/country-fair-2019-have-a-go-dog-agility-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="dog agility course at chatsworth country fair" class="wp-image-9647" style="aspect-ratio:1.499267935578331;width:640px;height:auto" /></figure>



No Peak District trip is complete without a visit to iconic <a href="https://www.chatsworth.org/visit-chatsworth/chatsworth-estate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chatsworth</a>. And dogs are welcome in the Gardens and the wider estate (where you&#8217;ll find wonderful walks).&nbsp;Time your visit for September when <a href="https://www.chatsworth.org/events/chatsworth-country-fair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chatsworth Country Fair</a>&nbsp;is on (30 Aug-1 Sept) and it really turns into a dog-lovers’ dream. There are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chatsworth.org/events/chatsworth-country-fair/showground/dogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">races and dog competitions</a>&nbsp;for furry friends, including canine aqua sports (putting doggy paddle on a whole new level) and have-a-go scurries (that’s retrieving five canvas dummies against the clock!).



A music festival that welcomes four-legged friends? You betcha. Head south from the Peaks to Derbyshire&#8217;s Elvaston Castle for the annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dogloversfestival.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dog Lovers&#8217; Festival</a> for furry music fans and their owners. Kicking off this year from Fri 2 &#8211; Sun 4 Aug, expect tribute acts belting out Robbie Williams, Madness and Madonna with canine-friendly camping and nowhere that’s off-limits to dogs. As well as all the usual festival fare of food and stalls, there will also be a fun dog show if your pooch loves the limelight.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Heights-of-Abraham-dogs.jpg" alt="Man and dog at the top of the cable car at Heights of Abraham Peak District" class="wp-image-5043" /></figure>



Dog with a head for heights? Four-legged pals are welcome at <a href="https://www.heightsofabraham.com/plan-your-visit/dogs-welcome/">Heights of Abraham</a> in Matlock Bath, where you can journey from the valley floor to summit park on a cable car.&nbsp;There are 60 acres of woodland walks and stunning views once you get to the top and dogs can dine with you at the café, in the Vista restaurant&#8217;s courtyard garden and there&#8217;s no shortage of pretty picnic spots. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-to-eat-and-drink">Where to eat and drink</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-style-default"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/06/The-Maynard-beer-gadren.jpg" alt="Beer garden at Maynard Grindleford" class="wp-image-4906" /></figure>



Dogs may not be able to stay at <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/maynard-grindleford-derbyshire/">The Maynard</a> at Grindleford any more, but the beautiful, big beer garden and bar welcomes them. There are stacks of great walks nearby, so it&#8217;s the perfect place for a post-hike tipple on a sunny day.



Aptly named <a href="https://www.theolddog.co.uk/">The Old Dog</a> in Thorpe is super Fido-friendly and close to the Tissington Trail which is wonderful for walkies. Another pooch-friendly favourite, especially with walkers, is <a href="https://www.the-old-nags-head.co.uk/news-offers-events/250051-dog-friendly/">The Old Nag’s Head</a> in Edale. There’s a good beer garden, paws are welcome inside and there’s water and biscuits on offer too.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly-places-to-stay">Dog-friendly places to stay</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/04/Bike-Boot-dog.jpg" alt="Dog lying on floor of hotel" class="wp-image-4313" /></figure>



It doesn&#8217;t get more dog-friendly than <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/bike-boot-peak-district-derbyshire/">Bike &amp; Boot</a> in the Hope Valley, the Peak District&#8217;s newest hotel. Dogs aren’t just tolerated here, they’re embraced with open arms. Pooches have the run of the hotel, their own pet bed and canine guests are greeted with a toy on arrival. The icing on the cake? A fabulous, free dog grooming facility. The laid-back restaurant is also a good spot for dog-friendly drinking and dining.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/06/The-Garden-Room-Restaurant-Exterior.jpg" alt="Cavendish Arms Baslow garden room from outside" class="wp-image-4683" /></figure>



<a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-cavendish-hotel-baslow-derbyshire/">The Cavendish Hotel</a>, Baslow (pictured) offers special <a href="https://devonshirehotels.co.uk/dogs/">canine retreats</a> and has a small number of newly refurbished dog-friendly bedrooms. Resident pooches are also welcome in the gorgeous Garden Room Restaurant and terrace.



Fancy going off-grid in style? Dogs are welcome (you can bring two) at the lovely Coppice Spa and Spinney Spa Lodges at <a href="https://darwinforest.co.uk/pet-friendly">Darwin Forest</a>, Matlock. The verandas have outdoor washing for paws and muddy boots and there’s a utility with stable doors inside with space for a dog bed and bowls. The Coppice Spa Lodges even have a doggy shower. Pooches can join you in the bar and café too.



Looking to self-cater? Try <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/peak-cottages-derbyshire-peak-district/">Peak Cottages</a>, which has a searchable collection of dog-friendly boltholes dotted around the Peak District. <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/muse-escapes-peak-district/">Muse Escapes</a> near Buxton also has super-luxe dog-friendly pads.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly-places-to-shop">Dog-friendly places to shop</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Henmores-dog.jpg" alt="Dog in shop doorway at Henmores Ashbourne" class="wp-image-5051" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/henmores/?hl=en">@henmores</a></figcaption></figure>



The perfect place to get kitted out for dog walks and rural shenanigans, country lifestyle store <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/henmores-ashbourne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henmores</a> (pictured) in Ashbourne makes a big fuss of four-legged shoppers. As well as a warm welcome and a dog bar, you&#8217;ll find stacks of cool clobber to walk the pooch in.



Nestled in the hills in the pretty village of Rowsley, <a href="https://peakvillage.co.uk/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peak Village</a> is a great dog-friendly spot for some retail therapy. Pets are welcomed on site and in all the shops and a stop off at <a href="https://barksandco.co.uk/barks-and-co-store-locations/barks-and-co-rowsley-shop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barks &amp; Co</a> is the perfect opportunity to treat them to a toy or freshly-baked treat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paw-some-walks">Paw-some walks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Dog-walker-NT-Longshaw-by-Robert-Morris.jpg" alt="Woman walking dog at Longshaw Peak District" class="wp-image-5049" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image / <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/longshaw-burbage-and-the-eastern-moors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Longshaw NT</a> by Robert Morris</figcaption></figure>



It doesn’t get much better than the Peak District when it comes to walkies. Energetic pooches can enjoy full-day hikes, but there are stacks of shorter options for older (or lazier) dogs. Mam Tor is the obvious spot to start. Stunning views and lots of options, from a 20-minute stroll to the top from the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mam+Tor+National+Trust+Car+Park/@53.3455523,-1.8157361,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x755bc4e9efeb2a48!8m2!3d53.3455523!4d-1.8157361?shorturl=1">car park</a>, <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/kinder-edale-and-the-high-peak/mam-tor-circular-walk">a three-hour circular</a> or a <a href="https://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/trails/castleton-mam-tor-the-great-ridge-walk">longer hike</a>.



If you prefer to stick to paved paths, try one of the Peak District’s traffic-free trails like the <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/top-10-peak-district-walks-with-pubs-derbyshire/">Tissington Trail</a>, <a href="https://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/trails/manifold-track">The Manifold Track</a> or <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/top-10-peak-district-walks-with-pubs-derbyshire/">The Monsal Trail</a>.The bonus? You’re never far from a pub or café.



If you&#8217;re walking with pooches in the Peaks, take a look at the advice from <a href="https://www.visit-eastern-moors.org.uk/visit/take-the-lead/">Take the Lead</a> about how to protect wildlife and what to watch out for, when. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/Cattis-Side-Cottage-dog-walk-Stanage-Edge.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5052" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stanage Edge / <a href="http://Cattis Side Cottage: Peak District National Park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Visit Peak District</a></figcaption></figure>

Paw-fect Peaks! Your tail-wagging, dog-friendly guide

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