Visiting with your dog at Rainham Hall

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.

Rainham Hall is a two pawprint rated place.

These places have water bowls, dog bins and dog-friendly walks. You’ll be able to take your dog into some areas, but not everywhere. The Stables Cafe is open Wednesday - Sunday 11-4pm and you can have a cup of tea with them, probably outside but just ask if you want to be inside and we will try to accomodate you. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.

Where can my dog go at Rainham Hall?

Dogs are welcome across the garden and courtyard at Rainham Hall. They can also be taken inside the Brewhouse Visitor Welcome area, Coach House, Stables Cafe, Courtyard and the toilets. Only assistance dogs are permitted inside the Hall. Dog water bowls are either side of the Brewhouse, as are our general waste bins.

What do I need to be aware of?

We ask dog owners to keep their dog on a short lead when in the gardens or courtyard areas at Rainham Hall.

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.

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