Visiting Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal 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.

Fountains Abbey 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?

We love welcoming waggy tails to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. Dogs are allowed in all outdoor spaces throughout the grounds, but please keep them on a short lead at all times. They're also welcome in the visitor centre restaurant.

Where can’t my dog go?

Please don't take your dog into Fountains Hall, Porters Lodge or Studley tea-room. They'll need to stay out of the children's play area too.

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.

Facilities available for my dog

Water bowls are available throughout the site.

There are several dog waste bins around the grounds which are marked on the map you'll receive upon arrival.

What else do I need to be aware of at Fountains Abbey?

Look out for any local notices when you're out walking your dog here. There are deer and cows roaming the the Studley deer park and during certain times of the year there may be areas that walks aren't allowed - such as fawning season.