Carlton House

Dogfriendly Magazine Review

Read our comprehensive review of this listing printed in our bi-monthly magazine.

Name Carlton House, Scarborough
Reviewer: Rosie Pearson

Prior to 2020 forecasts for a sunny week might have brought about an impromptu couple of days away but then the world changed and spontaneity stopped. Over two years later, in May 2022, was it feasible to take a midweek break without extensive planning and advance booking for anything you wished to do? Internet searches revealed an accommodation option plus favourable tide times in a Yorkshire coast area I was familiar with.

The following morning I was on the road. First stop was Bridlington where with packed lunch in the rucksack Gemma and I enjoyed the refreshing sea air walking the northern promenade to the harbour. Most of the main beaches in Bridlington are subject to seasonal restrictions so Gemma had to make do with a small grassy patch for her toilet breaks. After stretching our legs it was a brief drive to Filey Bird Garden & Animal Park where dogs on short leads are welcome. Despite ongoing works to some animal enclosures, this small collection of creatures was nevertheless interesting with Gemma and a Tanuki (Raccoon Dog) particularly keen to compare similarities in colouring and appearance. I continued into Filey, parking by the clifftop Glen and Crescent Park & Gardens. We took a winding path down to the southern end of Filey Bay and a year-round dog friendly beach (W3W:pursue.tint.processes). Once off-lead, Gemma was so excited and happy being on a beach again that she didn’t stop barking for five minutes. With the tide rapidly coming in it was back up the numerous steps to the car with thoughts turning to dinner.

At the north end of town dogs were welcomed inside the Cobble Bar & Bistro where you could eat outside on the veranda watching waves lapping the sea wall, but a breeze across the cold North Sea meant it was a bit chilly for that. Suitably fed and watered it was a short drive to our accommodation in Scarborough.

A Victorian property in the quiet residential South Cliff area, Carlton House is a budget petfriendly guesthouse. It’s less than 100 metres from the clifftop where you can sit and enjoy the scenic views or walk down steep pathways to the famous spa and the beach. Seasonal dog restrictions apply.

Next day, our visit was to RSPB Bempton Cliffs where around half a million seabirds gather on the North Sea chalk cliffs between March and October. Dogs are welcome providing they stick to the footpaths and are kept on a short lead. From the viewing platforms I saw (and heard) Kittiwakes, Gannets, Guillemots and Razorbills all vying for nest space, while the sea far below was dotted with others looking for food. You could spend all day here taking in this amazing spectacle but there was more of Flamborough Head to discover.

Parking at North Landing we wandered down the steep hill to explore rock pools. Then it was up to the Briel Nook section of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Flamborough Cliffs Nature Reserve for more seabird spotting. Again dogs must be on-lead but I would have done so anyway being close to the 100ft cliff edge. 

Finally on to Flamborough Lighthouse and the Outer Headland Local Nature Reserve where at the far end, resting in a secluded rocky cove, were around two dozen seals.

Despite having a Bridlington address, The Martonian Inn is close to Flamborough village and was an ideal place for dinner, with its excellent dog room area complete with water and bowls. Dogs are not permitted in the main building but this large front extension has a dedicated window hatch for serving drinks and ordering food. Opting for the carvery I had to leave Gemma under the watchful eye of a kind stranger for a few minutes, while I went inside to fill my plate.

Refreshed after another night (and breakfast) at Carlton House the bags were loaded back into the car. Dogs are permitted in the breakfast room providing they are well behaved and do not disturb other guests so next morning Gemma joined me whilst I tucked into a Full English. 

I’d opted for this extra £10.95 cost figuring it would set me up for the day and it was well worth it. After a choice of cereals and a glass of fruit juice, an appetising full plate arrived along with a rack of toast. Tea or coffee was included but as I don’t like either, Bilyana offered a glass of milk instead. Guests wanting to have breakfast are asked to order the day before as everything is prepared fresh daily. There is a vegan Full English equivalent or something lighter like scrambled eggs if preferred.

No visit to Scarborough is complete without a wander through the oriental themed Peasholm Park with its pagoda, lake, waterfalls and path up the natural glen.

Having left the car nearby it was a short walk from Peasholm to North Bay Beach. Time for a paddle, with Gemma giving me strange looks clearly saying ‘why are we walking in such cold water?’ We strolled back along Royal Albert Drive past the Freddie Gilroy & the Belsen Stragglers sculpture. A plaque tells the story behind this giant steel artwork.

After relocating the car to the South side of town we headed up the many steps to Scarborough Castle. An English Heritage site, dogs on leads are welcome throughout and even have their own ice creams available at the small seasonal cafe. With nearly 3000 years of history the castle stands on a rocky headland separating Scarborough north and south bays. The remains of the 12th-century Great Tower of a royal castle, begun by Henry II, provide stunning views in every direction.

Back down to the seafront with one more thing left to do – enjoy a fish and chip takeaway. Nothing quite tastes the same as a fresh haddock cooked in batter with skin still on, eaten while overlooking the harbour where it was landed only hours earlier.

Driving home I reflected on how much we had managed to pack into the three days, which for many reasons were an emotional experience. After some dark and challenging times, it had been possible to once again be spontaneous and act on impulse. That in itself was an achievement.

Carlton House, review by Rosie Pearson and appears in DogFriendly magazine issue 76.  For more information on the DogFriendly magazine visit https://www.dogfriendly.co.uk/magazine