Do you love exploring the great outdoors with your dog as much as you love a cuppa? If so, you're in the right place. In this blog, we've sniffed out some of our favourite dog-friendly cafes on the National Cycle Network around the UK for you and your furry friend to visit on your travels.
There's a community of dog-friendly cafes across the National Cycle Network for you and your hound to discover. Credit: Clubhouse Cafe
Walking, wheeling or cycling alongside your furry companion is an unbeatable feeling.
Whether your four-legged friend is sat in a basket, a trailer or walking along side you - exploring side-by-side in the fresh air has many benefits for you both.
Research shows strong evidence of dog ownership being associated with longer life and better cardiovascular health.
Not only that, but owning a dog can help you feel more connected to your local community and open up opportunities to meet new people.
Dog owners are five times more likely to get to know people in their neighbourhood than other pet owners.
There's a community of dog-friendly cafes across the National Cycle Network for you and your furry friend to discover.
Take a look at some of our dog-friendly cafe recommendations on the Network across the UK.
Scotland
Tickled Trout Cafe, Perth - Salmon Run (National Route 77)
Humans and hounds alike are welcome at the Tickled Trout Cafe.
This family-run cafe is located on Route 77, also known as the Salmon Run, and is home to a range of freshly prepared soups, sandwiches and cakes.
The riverside cafe which has its fireplace roaring in colder months, boasts both indoor and outdoor seating options and is stocked up with dog treats.
Route 77 is a 54-mile route between the Tay Road Bridge in Dundee, the historic city of Perth and Pitlochry.
Boxcar Coffee & Yard, Aberdeen - The Deeside Way (National Route 195)
You and your furry friend can find Boxcar Coffee & Yard located on the former Deeside Railway line.
Stop by at the old Cults Railway Station and treat your dog to one of their puppuccinos and grab a homemade cheese or fruit scone for yourself.
The outdoor seating makes it a perfect rest spot for you and your canine companion.
Route 195 follows 41 miles of traffic-free paths and some short quiet-road sections along the former Deeside Railway line between Aberdeen and Ballater.
Following the River Dee towards Ballater, you can expect stunning views of the Cairngorm Mountains.
Each Coffi Lab cafe supports a different trainee guide dog. Credit: Coffi Lab
Wales
Coffi Lab, Monmouth - National Cycle Route 423
The clue is in the name, Coffi Lab doesn't just serve coffee, but also helps with sponsoring Labrador puppies on their journey to becoming guide dogs.
Inside, you can find a display board with pupdates on Tony the puppy's guide dog journey.
Each of their cafes supports a different trainee guide dog.
Quoted on its website, founder, James Shapland, said: "I thought, what if we could create a space where we could welcome dogs with open arms?
"They are family members after all."
This particular cafe is located in Monmouth town centre - a five minute cycle or wheel from where Route 423 ends near the River Wye.
Part of this route snakes alongside the river through the stunning Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Providero Coffeehouse, Llandudno Junction - North Wales Coastal Route
Stop off at this dog-friendly cafe on your travels to grab a toastie, some dog chews and a free map of 'tail-wagging trails' put together by Dog Friendly Destinations.
Providero Coffeehouse sits on the North Wales Coastal Route in Llandudno.
The part of the Network stretches from Holyhead to Chester, passing through coastal towns and historic villages along the way.
This fantastic route is a great way to explore the beautiful coastline of North Wales with your mutt.
Treat your four-legged friend to a cooked sausage and have a well-deserved rest on their sheltered outdoor seating at Magic Wood Cafe. Credit: Chloe Jones-Morris (@rainorshinedogwalking__)
England
Magic Wood Cafe, Hazlehead - Trans Pennine Trail
Located on the outskirts of the stunning Peak District National Park, Magic Wood Cafe serves a range of hot drinks and food from a quaint trailer.
The cafe is the perfect stop off point for an amble on the Trans Pennine Trail (Route 62) with your hound.
Treat your four-legged friend to a cooked sausage and have a well-deserved rest at their sheltered outdoor seating.
This section of the long-distance Trans Pennine Trail runs alongside the River Don.
Clubhouse Cafe, Burgess Park, London - Southwark Greenways
Burgess Park is home to dog-friendly Clubhouse Cafe.
Dogs are treated to a drink of water, a dog biscuit or two, and a small paddling pool to cool off in during the summer months.
Not only can you get great coffee, toasties and pastries there, but all of its profits go towards providing sports activities and food for local children.
Southwark Greenways: Rotherhithe to Burgess Park (Route 425) is a mainly traffic-free route and provides 'pawsome' access to South Bermondsey train station.
Not only can you get great coffee, toasties and pastries there, but all of Clubhouse Cafe's profits go towards providing sports activities and food for local children. Credit: Clubhouse Cafe
The Mustard Tree Cafe, Hurworth-on-Tees - Route 165
Along a stretch of National Cycle Route 165 you'll find The Mustard Tree community cafe.
Just a stone's throw from the River Tees, the not-for-profit cafe, which is situated inside the walls of a church, serves up a range of freshly prepared food and beverages.
Your canine companion will be happy to know you can find dog treats inside - a perfect place to refuel after a long walk, wheel or cycle with your pet.
Route 165 is part of the Walney to Whitby route, linking Barnard Castle to Whitby.
YØT Cafe & Shop, The Wirral - Route 89
YØT Cafe & Shop is located in a beautiful spot next to the coast - just off Route 89, which follows a section of The Wirral Way.
The cafe, which has a large outdoor seating area, welcomes dogs with open arms.
Put your paws up and treat yourself to its range of coffee, cake and savoury bites.
Continue onto Route 56 and you and your pooch can get the Mersey ferry across to Liverpool.
YØT Cafe & Shop is located in a beautiful spot next to the coast - just off Route 89. Credit: YØT Cafe & Shop
Northern Ireland
Little Eddy's, Killinchy - Strangford Lough Cycle Trail
You and your canine companion can take a moment to 'paws' at Little Eddy's Cafe, located just off Strangford Lough Cycle Trail.
Soak up the views of Strangford Lough and Sketrick Castle with a hot drink.
The cafe, situated on Sketrick Island, offers a range of food from its breakfast, brunch and lunch menus.
The 82-mile circular route also offers scenic views of the Irish Sea coast and the Mourne Mountains.
Do you know of a great dog-friendly cafe located on or near to a National Cycle Network route which hasn't been mentioned in this blog? We'd love to hear from you.
