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Visiting the estate at Bradley with your dog

Visitors walking their dogs in the garden at Sizergh, Cumbria
Explore over 100 acres of woodland | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Dogs are very welcome in the wider estate at Bradley. Here are some top tips for how to enjoy your visit while helping us to look after these special places.

Our pawprint rating system

We’ve been working on making it easier for you to find out how dog-friendly your visit will be before you and your four-legged-friend arrive. To help with this, we've created a new pawprint rating system and given all the places in our care a rating. You can find this information in the National Trust members’ handbook.

The estate at Bradley is a one pawprint rated place.

Dogs are welcome here, but facilities are limited. They’ll be able to stretch their legs and walk in the nearby open spaces, depending on the season. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.

Where can my dog go?

Dogs are welcome to explore the meadow and woodland paths. Please remember to stick to the paths and keep them under close control, so you will be able to clearly see your dog at all times and not allow them to approach other visitors without their consent.

Where can't my dog go?

Assistance dogs only are allowed in the manor at Bradley.

What do I need to be aware of at Bradley?

We've partnered with a local company Forthglade and produced the Canine Code to help both visitors enjoy spending time with their dogs at special places.

The Canine Code

We’ve worked with our partner Forthglade to come up with this Canine Code, which helps to make sure everyone can enjoy their day:

  • Keep them close: using a short lead helps to keep your dog from disturbing ground-nesting birds and farm animals. It's essential to use a short lead around sheep. But if cattle approach you, it's best to let your dog off the lead, and call them back when it's safe to do so.
  • Pick up the poo: please always clear up after your dog. If you can't find a bin nearby, take the poo bags home with you.
  • Watch the signs: keep an eye on local signs and notices wherever you're walking. They'll tell you if a beach has a dog ban, for instance, or if a path has been diverted, or if you're in an area where dogs can run off-lead.
  • Stay on the ball: remember that not everyone loves dogs, and some people fear them. So make sure your dog doesn't run up to other people, especially children.

Keeping control of your dog

Our definition of close or effective control is: ​

  • Being able to recall your dogs in any situation at the first call
  • Being able to clearly see your dog at all times (not just knowing they have gone into the undergrowth or over the crest of the hill). In practice, this means keeping them on a footpath if the surrounding vegetation is too dense for your dog to be visible
  • Not allowing them to approach other visitors without their consent
  • Having a lead with you to use if you encounter livestock or wildlife, or if you are asked to use one
The east front of Bradley Manor, Devon with the projecting chapel to the right hand side.

Book your visit

Please note you need to book tickets for guided tours to Bradley. You can book on the day up until 8am. Guided tour tickets will be available two weeks before the next tour.

Our partners

Forthglade

We've partnered with natural pet food maker Forthglade so that you and your dog can get even more out of the special places we care for.

Visit website 

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