Now more than ever many of us would baulk at the thought of leaving our beloved dog behind when we go on holiday and I know for me one of the main questions that goes through my head when choosing accommodation is ‘How dog-friendly is it?’ Honestly it is quite rare to find somewhere that truly welcomes those on four paws but there are some, you just need to do your research and not be afraid to ask for the dog rules before you book.
Recently we were invited to stay at Catgill Farm Glamping in the Yorkshire Dales to see how it measured up in dog-friendly stakes, it is safe to say my spaniels had the time of their life there, read on to find out more.
Catgill Farm Glamping and Camping Site is nestled in nature on the edge of the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is just a short walk from the gorgeous Bolton Abbey Estate and a 5 minute drive from the market town of Skipton. In fact there could not be a more perfect location in terms of ease of getting there and proximity to the wider delights of the Dales.
On arrival we checked-in at reception (which also doubles as a shop for essentials) and walked the 50 metres up to the pod which is set in a private area apart from the camping field. Site staff will happily ferry you up to your accommodation with your luggage in a golf buggy if you prefer, but having crazy spaniels I did not judge that to be a wise decision for us! Anyway like I said it is only 50 metres.
We had been allocated The Duck pod, and I am not exaggerating when I say that the site owners had thought of everything to make it the perfect place to unwind for canines and humans alike. The views are stunning!
Straight away my dogs seemed to realise that they had their own securely fenced garden, and of course they had to explore it and sniff every inch.
It was such a blessing to let them work off some of their excitement before they went inside, however being the seasoned travellers they are it was not long before Maya and Lucia realised there may be some goodies inside for them. I honestly believe they were taken aback by what awaited them there. Reader, The Duck dog-friendly glamping pod at Catgill Farm is equipped with a dog bunk, complete with an Ivy and Duke Luxury Dog Bed and Blankets, towels, dog bowls, a biscuit station, dog treats and most coveted by my spaniels, tennis balls! The bunk even has dog art on the walls and a personalised welcome sign for girls! Honestly I have never seen such a set-up and I don’t think I or my spaniels have ever been so impressed.
In short The Duck at Catgill Farm Glamping isn’t just dog-friendly, it’s dog friendly on steroids!
Inside The Duck humans are just as well catered for, the pod is tastefully decorated in muted tones with cute touches in the alcoves such as binoculars. A very comfortable bed dressed with fresh cotton sheets and a squashy sofa to relax on. The kitchen is well equipped with state of the art appliances, a generous supply of tea and coffee and plenty of crockery and a big love of mine, real milk in the fridge! I feel like staying somewhere like this it is a bit of a waste of your holiday to go online, but if you feel the need there is a smart TV and really fast wi-fi.
The outdoor space is where the magic really happens. Think slow mornings, sitting with a coffee in hand and your dog by your side (or on your lap if you have a cocker spaniel!) listening to and watching the countryside wake up. Bliss.
Evenings can be spent sitting round the firepit munching on pizza you’ve cooked yourself in the integrated pizza oven (you can pre-order a pizza kit or BBQ pack when you book) while watching your dog bound around the garden. There is also a woodfired hot tub to relax in which was gorgeous and a picnic bench for alfresco dining.
If you stay at Catgill you could be forgiven for spending your whole holiday having never set foot outside the site, after all there are the cute alpaca’s to make friends with, a separate dog walking field and in the spring and summer season an onsite cafe, so there’s plenty to do,
This would be a big mistake though because the Yorkshire Dales is up there with the most beautiful places in the UK. From the site it is less than a mile to stroll to the fabulous Bolton Abbey Estate, where as well as some fabulous walks there are dog-friendly places to eat and drink. Further afield there are some amazing hikes to go on, waterfalls to discover and dog-friendly cafes and pubs to sniff out.
If you follow us @woofwagwalk on Instagram you will probably know that we are keen campers and, guess what, Catgill Farm Camping and Glamping has a camping field! We loved the location so much we will definitely pitch up there this season and I will take some more pictures of the site and add them to this blog, as rather unwisely I trusted the weather forecast that we would be treated to a stunning sunrise when we stayed and sadly the morning just greeted us with fog.
So if you are looking for dog-friendly accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales, don’t think twice, The Duck at Catgill is everything a dog parent dreams of and more, the site also has some other pods that welcome our four legged friends, so head there now Catgill Farm Camping and Glamping and check out.
Love Sal, Maya and Lucia xxx
*We were kindly gifted a stay at Catgill Farm in exchange for an honest review.
