Dog-friendly High Bentham

A coaching inn on Main Street dating to 1625, now a Robinsons house at the centre of High Bentham. The brewery lists the pub as dog friendly alongside its beer garden, food, wifi and accommodation, and it flags the walking on the doorstep: the River Wenning path and the Bentham to Low Bentham circuit both start within a few minutes of the door. Live music on the last Friday of the month and sport on the screens, so a nervous dog may prefer a quieter afternoon slot.

A five mile round of about three hours through the valley of the River Wenning between High and Low Bentham, with the Forest of Bowland fells filling the view to the south and the Dales hills to the north. The going is a mixture of roads, tracks and field paths with stiles, gates and cattle grids, and the low ground by the river holds mud and standing water for days after rain. Riverside Caravan Park, who publish the route, are clear that livestock including cattle will be met along the way and that dogs should be kept under close control, ideally on a lead. Start either from the middle of High Bentham or from the old church by the entrance to the caravan park.

A touring, camping and holiday home park on the bank of the River Wenning at the bottom edge of High Bentham, with fifty-nine level pitches, an award-winning toilet block and fishing on site. For dogs the practical detail is the dog wash beside the toilet block and the dog walking field, and the town centre is a five minute walk up the hill rather than a drive. Of the three self-catering cottages only Parkside Cottage is described as pet friendly, and that one has an enclosed garden and its own parking; Woodside Cottage and Petite Parkside carry no published pet policy, so ring before booking either of those.