It was my birthday weekend, and let’s be honest — January isn’t exactly known for being the best month to celebrate. Between Dry January, post-Christmas budgets feeling a little tight, and the general winter slump, we decided the perfect solution was a little getaway to one of my favourite cities. Naturally, we couldn’t imagine doing it without our little French bulldog, Beau, who is very much my child!
The weather wasn’t exactly on our side (it is winter, after all), but we were lucky enough to have one beautifully crisp day that made exploring even more special. So, I thought I’d share everything we got up to over our 48 hours in York — from dog-friendly walks to cosy spots to eat and drink — in case you’re planning a winter visit with your own four-legged child 🙂
Where to stay!
We stayed at Roomzzz York, located on Terry Avenue, and decided to drive. The hotel does have an on-site car park literally underneath the building, but it’s available on a first-come, first-served basis, so unfortunately you can’t book a space in advance.
We were very lucky when we arrived — the car park was full, but someone was just pulling out, so we managed to grab a space. Parking is paid via the RingGo app and cost £15.00 per day.
If the car park is full, there’s a Q-Park Barbican nearby, and Roomzzz provide a code on their website for 15% off when you pre-book online. That said, I’d definitely recommend driving to Roomzzz first to try your luck and then booking Q-Park if needed — it’s only a 14-minute walk from the car park to the hotel, so it’s not too inconvenient if you do end up parking there.
If you’re not driving and arriving by train, the hotel is around a 20-minute walk from York station, which I actually think is perfect — especially if you want to stretch your legs and take in a bit of the city as you arrive.
We stayed in a One Bedroom Loft Suite. We initially thought it came with a balcony and riverside views, but our room was facing the other way. This wasn’t an issue at all, but it’s worth double-checking when you book and requesting a riverside view if that’s something you’d like.
Honestly, I couldn’t fault the location, the room, or the service. Reception has everything you might need, from snacks and food you can cook in your room, to complimentary croissants in the morning and unlimited coffee — which I am absolutely here for… but more on that later.
Staying at Roomzzz is super convenient — most of York’s top attractions are just a short walk away:
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Rowntree Park – 2 minutes’ walk
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Clifford’s Tower – 14 minutes’ walk
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York Grand Opera House – 16 minutes’ walk
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JORVIK Viking Centre – 17 minutes’ walk
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York Barbican – 18 minutes’ walk
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The Shambles – 20 minutes’ walk
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York Train Station – 22 minutes’ walk
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York Minster – 35 minutes’ walk
Whether you’re into history, theatre, or just strolling around, everything is really accessible on foot — which makes exploring with a dog so much easier!
Day 1 – Bars and Restaurants
Pivni –
Once we’d checked in — and because the weather was surprisingly nice — we wrapped up warm and headed into the city centre to explore. Our first stop was The Shambles, of course, which is around a 15-minute walk from the hotel.
I’d really wanted to visit Valhalla, but as expected it was super busy, and with Beau in tow we decided to head to the pub opposite instead — Pivni. It’s an award-winning craft beer house with such a cool, quirky interior. We managed to get a table downstairs, and Beau was getting so much attention (naturally).
I’ve visited Pivni before and absolutely love it, so it was nice to return — and I’ll definitely be making sure Valhalla is top of the list next time we’re back in the city.
Roly’s Fudge –
Roly’s Fudge was our next point of call, and if you’re a fudge lover, you have to pop in. You can even watch them making it fresh through the window, which makes it very hard to leave empty-handed.
Gareth picked up a selection for us, and we polished them off that same evening — they were that good. In fact, they were so delicious that Gareth went back the following day for more. Not exactly great for the waistline, but honestly… who’s complaining? Definitely not me.
Dough Eyed –
For some reason, we were really craving pizza, and we stumbled across Dough Eyed — and wow, it was incredible. I wasn’t expecting them to be dog-friendly, but they are (on the top level only), which was a lovely surprise.
By this point, Beau was getting pretty tired, so we decided to take the pizza home instead. While we waited, we ordered two large glasses of wine — because it would’ve been rude not to, right? The wine was a solid 10/10, and the glasses were so good they’ve genuinely made me want to up my glassware game at home. There’s just something about a drink served in a beautiful glass that makes it taste even better — don’t you agree?
We headed back with the pizza, and it did not disappoint. Another 10/10. You need to visit Dough Eyed — you won’t be disappointed, and the fact that they’re dog-friendly is a big win for me.
Sophie –
On the walk back, we passed a beautiful café called Sophie, and we originally planned to visit the next day. Unfortunately, the weather took a turn for the worse, and from what I could see online, dogs are only allowed in the dog-friendly garden.
Because of the weather, we skipped it on this occasion, but it looks like it would be absolutely lovely in the summer, especially with its beautiful riverside views. Definitely one for the warmer months.
After pizza, a few glasses of champagne back in the room, and a couple of episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale, it was time for bed and to get ready for a full Day Two in the morning.
Day 2, weather taking a turn for the worse and a cosy pub find
The Slip Inn –
After enjoying the complimentary croissants and coffee, we headed out to walk Beau. He was having the worst time — it was continuous rain and absolutely freezing, so none of us were particularly impressed but it is the UK 🙂
Just around the corner from Roomzzz is a very British, old-school pub called The Slip Inn. It’s dog-friendly, and the bartender even asked Beau for his ID, which was honestly so cute. The pub itself was super cosy, the drinks were great, and Gareth tucked into one of their pork pies, which he said was incredible. I’ll take his word for it, though — I’m not a pork pie lover myself.
Roomzzz York –
It was time for me to head back to Roomzzz, while Gareth went into the city centre to stock up on more fudge, grab some food, and, of course, some wine. I settled downstairs in the hotel reception, which honestly is one of the most beautiful reception areas I’ve ever seen.
I enjoyed a mocha coffee, sat with Beau, and just watched the world go by. It was so peaceful — the perfect little moment of calm in the middle of our busy weekend.
Clucking Oinks –
This place is absolutely incredible — I had the best burger I’ve had in a long time. It was so fresh and packed with flavour. We tried the Jerk King burger, which was a solid 10/10, and shared some chicken strips on the side – the perfect takeaway! I would highly recommend stopping by!
Wrapping Up Our 48 Hours in York
Our weekend in York was the perfect mix of cosy pubs, delicious food, charming streets, and plenty of dog-friendly adventures with Beau. Even in January, with the rain and cold, the city didn’t disappoint — and having Beau with us made it even more special.
From exploring The Shambles, enjoying award-winning beer at Pivni, indulging in fudge at Roly’s, to discovering incredible food spots like Dough Eyed and that unforgettable burger, there really is something for everyone.
If you’re planning a short city break in York, I’d say: pack your walking shoes, bring your dog if you can, and be ready for a weekend of amazing food, cosy spots, and gorgeous walks. I can’t wait to head back — and next time, we’ll be trying Valhalla and enjoying that riverside café Sophie when the weather’s better!
