For dog-walkers

Planning a day out with the dog? We've got a huge variety of dog-friendly places for you to explore with your pooch, from the best walking spots to holiday cottages that welcome well-behaved dogs

A puppy exploring the gardens at Mount Stewart, NI
Visitors walking their dog at Osterley, Middlesex

Best places for dog walking 

We've some fantastic locations and landscapes for you and your four-legged friend to explore and enjoy - here are just a few suggestions.

It's a dog's life
Man and his dog enjoying the water at Studland, Dorset

Take the lead on dog walking with help from Forthglade 

We've partnered with natural pet food maker Forthglade so you and your dog can get even more out of special places we care for. Find out how our new three pawprint rating system makes it easier for you to plan a visit with your four-legged friend.

Find out how we're working together
Visitor with her dog at Hatfield Forest, Essex

All about dogs 

Dog lovers and walkers, you'll find everything you and your pooch need to know about visiting our many dog-friendly places in our round-up of articles.

Dogs at our places
Django the German Wirehaired Pointer eyes up a collection of apples

Dogs of the National Trust 

From Virginia Woolf's spaniels to Biscuit the Staff Morale Officer at The Argory - Dogs of the National Trust reveals the tales (or should that be 'tails'?) of the pooches who have lived and worked at National Trust places past and present, and the people who love them.

Buy your copy
More of a cat person?
Charley the cat outside Claydon House, Buckinghamshire

Meet the cats of the National Trust 

Many of the former residents at our houses were cat lovers and today a number of our places are still home to feline friends. Here are a few of our favourite cats found at our places, from a boisterous Bengal who prowls the gardens at Cotehele to Samson, a mighty Maine Coon at Knightshayes.

Read their stories
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.

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.