Dog-Friendly Corbridge

Corbridge is a good village to visit with a dog. The River Tyne runs along its southern edge, farmland and woodland rise behind it, and most of its historic pubs let dogs in. This guide pulls together where dogs are welcome, where to walk, the rules to follow in the countryside, and where to go if your dog needs a vet. Policies change, so where we say a venue welcomes dogs, it is because the venue or a recent listing says so, and it is still worth checking before you go.

Dog-friendly pubs

All six pubs in our guide to the best pubs in Corbridge are described, by the pub itself or by CAMRA, as welcoming dogs in some form. That guide covers the beer, food times and history; here is what matters if you have a dog with you.

• The Angel of Corbridge on Main Street describes its bar and lounge as dog-friendly areas, and six of its ten bedrooms take dogs. It is the obvious choice for a weekend away with a dog.
• The Black Bull on Middle Street says it welcomes well-behaved dogs in selected areas, including its garden, which is up a flight of steps at the back.
• The Golden Lion on Hill Street is listed by CAMRA as welcoming dogs, and it has a garden.
• The Pele, the micro bar in the medieval tower by St Andrew's Church, is listed by CAMRA as dog-friendly. It is small, so on a busy evening there may not be much room.
• The Wheatsheaf on St Helen's Street welcomes dogs and has B&B rooms aimed at walkers.
• The Dyvels Inn on Station Road, just south of the river by the station, welcomes dogs and has a large beer garden.

Best for:

Pubs often limit dogs to certain rooms or keep the dining area dog-free at mealtimes. If you are planning to eat, ring ahead and ask where you can sit with a dog.

Dog-friendly cafés

The best-documented dog-friendly café is just outside the village. The Errington Coffee House, in the former Errington Arms at Stagshaw Bank where the A68 meets the B6318 Military Road, is described by Hadrian's Wall Country as having a designated dog area. It sits beside the Hadrian's Wall Path, so it suits a longer walk north from the village.

In the village centre we could not find current, first-hand confirmation of a dog policy for the cafés, and some of the dog-friendly listings we found online were for cafés that have since closed. Several village cafés have upstairs or outdoor seating, so ask at the door before you go in. Our guide to coffee shops and cafés in Corbridge lists what is open.

Shops

Corbridge's independent shops are small, and we could not find any that publish a dog policy. Many village shopkeepers are happy to see a well-behaved dog on a short lead, but it is their decision, so ask before you go in, and tie up outside anywhere food is served or sold.

Corbridge Roman Town

English Heritage says that at Corbridge Roman Town, "dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds only", with assistance dogs welcome across the site. In practice that means you can walk the excavated Roman street with your dog but cannot take it into the museum. You are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds, where there are picnic benches. The site's opening days are limited in winter, so check English Heritage's page before you go.

Dog walks

Our guide to walks around Corbridge has the full routes, distances and sources. These are the ones that suit a dog best.

The riverside and the Tyne

The quickest walk from the village is down to the river. From the north end of the seven-arched bridge, a path follows the north bank of the Tyne west towards the Roman Town, and on the south side a path runs along the top of the flood bank towards Dilston, as far as the point where the Devil's Water joins the Tyne. Both are flat and easy, and the free village car park is at the south end of the bridge.

Best for:

The flood bank floods. Keep off it when the Tyne is running high, and keep your dog out of the river after heavy rain, when the current is strong and the water is cold.

Towards Dilston

The flood bank path towards Dilston is the easiest way to reach the countryside south of the river. The land on either side is farmland, so watch for livestock and keep your dog close.

Aydon and the paths north of the village

The Corbridge to Aydon Castle circular, about 6 miles, crosses field paths by Thornborough, goes over the A69 and drops through woodland to the Cor Burn before climbing to Aydon Castle. The route crosses fields with cattle and sheep, so keep your dog on a lead, and check for stiles that a larger dog may need lifting over. Aydon Castle itself is closed until 2027. For a full day, the paths north of the village climb to Hadrian's Wall and the Errington Coffee House.

Countryside rules

Most of the walking around Corbridge is on farmland, so the Countryside Code matters here. The main points for dog owners are:

• Livestock. On Open Access land and at the coast, you must put your dog on a lead around livestock. On the field paths around Corbridge, the safest habit is to put the lead on whenever there are animals in the field. The Countryside Code warns that a farmer can shoot a dog that is attacking or chasing livestock.
• Cattle. Cattle, especially cows with calves, can react badly to dogs. The Countryside Code advises letting your dog off the lead if you feel threatened by livestock or horses: a dog can outrun a cow, and you will both be safer apart.
• Ground-nesting birds. Between 1 March and 31 July you must keep your dog on a lead on Open Access land, even where there is no livestock. The Countryside Code also asks you not to disturb wildlife, including birds that nest on the ground, so keep dogs on paths in rough grassland in spring and early summer.
• Clearing up. Always bag and bin your dog's mess, in any public bin or at home. It can cause illness in people, livestock and wildlife, and bags should never be left hanging on hedges or gates.

Vets

The village has its own vet. The Corbridge branch of Westway Veterinary Group is on St Helens Street and is accredited under the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' Practice Standards Scheme. It is open on weekdays and for a short session on Saturday mornings, and its number is 01434 632033. Ring that number first out of hours to find out how emergencies are handled.

In Hexham, a few miles west, Orchard House Veterinary Centre at 48 Priestpopple is open Monday to Friday and on Saturday mornings, and says it provides 24-hour emergency cover for its clients on 01434 607677. There is free parking at the rear.

Pet shops and grooming

There is no pet shop in Corbridge itself. The nearest large one is Pets at Home at Tyne Valley Retail Park in Hexham, which also houses a Vets4Pets practice.

We could not confirm a dog groomer currently trading in the village. Hexham has several grooming salons, so ask your vet for a recommendation, or check with Pets at Home in Hexham, which has recently advertised for dog groomers.

Tips

• Carry water and a bowl. Not every pub or café puts one out.
• The free village car park at the south end of the bridge is the best base for the riverside paths.
• Northern trains on the Tyne Valley line stop at Corbridge station, and the Dyvels Inn is a few yards away if you need to wait.
• Keep your dog on a lead in the village centre. The streets are narrow and the Market Place is busy with traffic.

Know somewhere in Corbridge that welcomes dogs, or spotted a change? Get in touch and we'll update this guide.