Dog walks in the East of England

We know how dear your four-legged friends are to you, so we thought you might like to know about some of the dog-friendly places perfect for exploring with your pooch in the East of England.

Family walking dogs

Which places are open and what you need to know before you visit 

We’ve opened more than 100 gardens and parks in England and Northern Ireland through advanced booking. From Monday 6 July, we’re gradually opening gardens and parklands in Wales. Tickets are released on Friday for the following week. More than 200 coast and countryside car parks are open across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. All National Trust houses remain closed for now. Read this article to find out what's open and what to expect from your visit.

Paws for thought

Walkies

We love to welcome dogs whenever we can. The best places for walkies in the East are:

Norfolk - Blickling, Felbrigg, Sheringham Park, Oxburgh Hall and Norfolk Coast 

Cambridgeshire - Wicken Fen, Houghton Mill and the parkland at Wimpole 

Suffolk - Dunwich Heath, Ickworth, Flatford, Sutton Hoo and Kyson Hill 

Essex - Blakes Wood, Pin Mill and Hatfield Forest 

Bedfordshire - Sharpenhoe and Dunstable Downs 

Hertfordshire - Ashridge Estate

Bone Appétit

After a stroll, it’s nice to have somewhere to sit back and put your feet (paws) up. As well as a handy water bowl, why not head to one of our dog friendly café's, which welcome well-behaved dogs.  

  • Coastguard Cottages tea-room at Dunwich Heath, Suffolk
  • Courtyard Café at Sheringham Park, Norfolk
  • Flatford’s riverside tea-room, Suffolk
  • Forest Café at Hatfield Forest, Essex
  • Muddy Boots Café at Blickling, Norfolk
  • On the veranda at King's River Café at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk 
  • View Café at Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire
  • On the terrace of the Old Rectory Restaurant at Wimpole, Cambridgeshire
  • Porter’s Lodge at Ickworth, Suffolk
  • Squires Pantry at Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk 
  • The Pantry at Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk

Dog friendly holidays

Pet dogs with their owners outside a holiday cottage

Dog-friendly cottages in Norfolk 

You needn't leave those puppy eyes behind as many of our Norfolk cottages cater for your four-legged companions. They’re situated within unspoilt countryside and close to dog-friendly beaches so you and pup can explore together.

Dog peering through bridge at Sheffield Park East Sussex

Dog-friendly holiday cottages in Suffolk 

Explore Suffolk from the comfort of one of our dog-friendly holiday cottages. There's miles of prime dog walking territory over open fields and through wooded copses, or head to the unspoilt coast – there are so many perfect spots for an afternoon in the great outdoors.

Bringing an assistance dog?

The houses in our care are only for humans, however assistance dogs are more widely admitted, so please check with individual places for more details.

Follow our lead...

Help us keep the countryside a safe, healthy and enjoyable place for you and your dog, other visitors, wildlife and livestock:

  • Keep your dog in sight and under control - use a lead if requested
  • Don't let your dog chase wildlife or farm animals
  • Watch out for local notices. There may be restrictions in woodland or farmland at sensitive times of year, during the lambing season, or between March and the end of July when ground-nesting birds are on eggs or raising their young
  • Please always pick up after your dog. At many of our sites we've dedicated dog bins for you to use

Different restrictions apply at each of our places and at different times of year, so please check before you visit exactly where you and your four-legged friend can roam.

Heathland flora in the New Forest, Hampshire

Ticks and Lyme disease 

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures found in woodland and heath areas. Find out what to do if you're worried about ticks or Lyme disease.