Visiting Dinefwr with your dog

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.

Dinefwr is a three pawprint rated place.

Three pawprints shows the very best places you can visit for a day with your dog. You’ll be able to take your dog to most areas, including indoors for a cup of tea and a treat. There’ll be clearly signed dog zones and dog-friendly experiences. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.

Where can my dog go at Dinefwr?

Dogs are welcome on the ground floor at Dinefwr house, outer park and café. Please note that to keep livestock safe in the parkland, dogs are to be kept on a short lead at all times. Assistance dogs only are allowed on the boardwalk and in the Deer Park due to animals grazing. There are several walks to explore across the ancient parkland. Visit the Things to see and do section of our website to view the trails, or speak to a member of the visitor welcome team.

What facilities are available for dogs?

There are many water bowls for dogs across the site, including at the front of the house, by the front door and formal garden.

If your dog requires anything during your visit, we will be happy to help where we can.

What else do I need to be aware of?

The Dinefwr estate has livestock grazing throughout the season, so we kindly ask visitors to keep their dogs on short leads at all times to keep the animals safe.

You are also advised not to leave your pet in the car for long periods of time, as there is a limited amount of shade during warmer seasons.

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