Dog Friendly Days Out with Go North East

At Go North East we know that your four-legged friends love a day out as much as you do. That’s why all our buses are dog-friendly and at the discretion of our drivers we allow up to two well-behaved dogs on board each bus at any time. All we ask is that you follow our conditions of carriage. To help you and your pooch have ‘pawesome’ adventures by bus, we’ve teamed up with local blogger Rachel Kershaw from Life in Geordieland. Rachel and her dog Pat love hopping on Go North East buses to dog-friendly destinations across the North East…

From the moment I became a dog-owner I started scouring the internet to uncover places that Pat and I could enjoy together. To my delight I soon learnt that loads of local attractions welcome dogs with open arms! The fact that I can reach them by bus is even better, that way I can chill out and enjoy the journey rather than driving while being distracted by my rather excitable fur baby! Here’s a list of our favourite dog-friendly days out by Go North East bus, you could say it’s the ‘ulti-mutt’ guide (sorry)!

Auckland Castle Deer Park

• The surrounding parkland at Auckland Castle is perfect for picnics and dog walks. The gothic revival building provides a stunning backdrop and there are lots of woodland paths to explore. The Deer Park is managed by English Heritage and entry is free, they do request you keep your dog on a lead to protect local wildlife. You can visit from 10am till 6pm between April and September, and 10am till 4pm between October and March.
• Get there using these Go North East services: X21

Herrington Country Park

• This vast and varied country park close to Sunderland is the perfect place for a family day out. Expect to see a variety of sculptures that celebrate the heritage of the surrounding area and great views of nearby Penshaw monument. There’s a fab playground and café here too.
• Get there using these Go North East services: 2, 2A, 78, 78A

Tynemouth Village and Beaches

• One of the first day trips I ever enjoyed with Pat the dog was a visit to Tynemouth. We love the market that takes over the Metro station every Saturday and Sunday. For further dog-friendly shopping head to Green Ginger, the converted church in Tynemouth village that is home to an eclectic mix of retailers. For lunch we recommend Lola Jeans bar, as well as a warm welcome for you and your furry friend, they also offer award winning burgers. You can then burn off the calories with a walk along the beach or promenade (dogs are welcome on Tynemouth’s beaches from 1^st October – 30^th April).
• Get there using these Go North East services: 1, 1A

Beamish Museum

• Beamish is without a doubt one of the biggest and best tourist attractions in the region. The open-air museum that celebrates local life throughout history is somewhere I enjoyed many memorable days out before Pat came into my life but the fact that it is extremely dog-friendly means I’m likely to visit even more often in future. Luckily, the admission fee allows you unlimited visits for up to twelve months, so if you’re a dog owner who lives within easy reach of Beamish, it’s well worth it! Getting there by bus is a doddle with Go North East and you can save 25% on admission if you show your bus ticket.
• Get there using these Go North East services: 8, 28, 28A

Corbridge

• The Roman village of Corbridge in Northumberland is a picturesque place to visit with your dog. You can take a walk along the River Tyne where there are great spots for them to paddle when the water levels are low. Then you can head to one of the many local pubs for a refreshing drink or bite to eat, The Angel is always a popular choice with dog-owners. The quaint high street is full of independent shops with beautifully dressed windows and many of these are dog-friendly too.
• Get there using these Go North East services: 10, X84, X85

Saltwell Park

• We absolutely love Saltwell Park because as well play areas, a boating lake, picnic spots, sporting facilities and the wonderful Saltwell Towers, there is also a special dog pen. This area of the park has been specifically designed to allow dogs to play off their leads in a safe and spacious area that is fenced off from the rest of the park. There are lots of bus stops nearby.
• Get there using these Go North East services: 1, 21, 53, 54

Gibside

• This is one of our favourite National Trust attractions in the North East, it is especially beautiful in Autumn when the leaves on the trees turn red and gold. Gibside estate has over fifteen miles of paths to explore and there’s a couple of places to stop for a cuppa if it gets a bit chilly or your paws need a rest.
• Get there using these Go North East services: X45, X46, X47

Seaham Marina

• Seaham is home to a bustling marina where you’ll always bump into lots of friendly dog walkers. The area is full of thriving local businesses, many of which offer a warm welcome to well behaved dogs. After you’ve enjoyed a long walk soaking up the sights be sure to pop into The Lookout for great coffee and even better views.
• Get there using these Go North East services: X6, X7, 60, 202, 238, 265

Thanks for reading, you can follow more of Pat’s adventures on Instagram, @life_in_geordieland.