Bring your dog

YSP welcomes all well-behaved dogs and their humans. Please keep your dog on a short lead at ALL times and clean up after your dog.

We love dogs and we want to keep them happy and healthy. Dog water bowls can be found outside the Visitor Centre, The Weston, YSP Learning and the Underground Gallery.

Please help to keep YSP a beautiful place by being responsible and clearing up after your dog. There are dog waste bins located throughout the Park.

Remember that not everyone loves dogs. Please keep your dog on their lead at all times and make sure your dog doesn't run up to other people, especially children.

Two women walking dogs on leads past a tall white human-shaped sculpture
A group of 4 young people walking a small grey dog through the country park
A small dog wearing a brown coat
A woman wearing shorts and t-shirt, walking a large tan coloured dog on a lead through the YSP Visitor Centre

Where can my dog go?

Dogs are welcome almost everywhere in the parkland and woodlands at YSP. To protect livestock and wildlife, dogs are NOT permitted around Upper Lake or Menagerie Wood. An alternative walking route is signposted around this area, or speak to a member of our friendly team to help you plan your walk.

Dogs are welcome in Little Wild Wood but must be kept on leads and stick to the pathways only.

We welcome dogs in The Café at YSP Learning and The Coffee Shop at the Visitor Centre. Dogs are able to walk through the main Visitor Centre concourse.

Dogs are not permitted inside the galleries, upstairs in the Visitor Centre, and inside the gallery, shop and restaurant at The Weston.

Assistance dogs are welcome everywhere, including the cafés, restaurants and galleries.

Food and drink with dogs

The Kitchen Café at YSP Centre

The Kitchen Café has a designated indoor dog-friendly seating area at the entrance to the second floor café. Serving hot meals, freshly made sandwiches, coffee, chilled drinks, cakes an pastries. Dogs are not permitted into the self-service food servery, but staff will be available to assist if necessary.

During autumn/winter opening hours (from 30 September 2024) The Kitchen Café is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10.00–16.00, with hot food available until 15.00.

The Café at YSP Learning

The Café at YSP Learning welcomes dogs, with indoor seating available for visitors and their furry friends, offering freshly made sandwiches, ground coffee, chilled drinks, cakes and pastries, and Scoops dog ice cream. Enjoy on the sunny terrace, eat in or take away.

During autumn/winter opening hours (from 30 September 2024) The Café is open on weekends and Wakefield school holidays,10.00–16.00.

The Coffee Shop

Our takeaway kiosk accessed from the front of YSP Centre, left of the main entrance. Serving hot breakfast sandwiches, homemade pasties, freshly made sandwiches, freshly ground coffee, chilled drinks and ice cream. Enjoy on the terrace looking over the Park or take away to enjoy on your walk.

During autumn/winter opening hours (from 30 September 2024) The Café is open on weekends and Wakefield school holidays, 10.00–16.00.

A small white and tan whippet, eating a dog icecream.
A large tan coloured dog eating a dog ice cream in front of a white sign reading Ice Cream for Dogs
A brindle staffy wearing a green harness, eating a dog ice cream
The exterior of the YSP Learning building and cafe.