Visiting Dyrham Park with your dog

Nearby National Trust places to walk your dog

While dog walking at Dyrham Park is limited, our National Trust neighbours welcome well-behaved dogs.

These include places down the road in Bath and across the other side of Bristol as well as further into Wiltshire.

Prior Park

Just a short walk from Bath city centre is Prior Park. The 18th-century landscape garden is centred around a picturesque lake with an unmistakable bridge in the middle. Dogs are welcome on leads all year round.

Bath Skyline

The Bath Skyline offers walks of varying lengths on the outskirts of the Roman city, offering far-reaching views over the stunning architecture. It includes play viewpoints, play areas and wildlife.

Dogs are allowed all year round, but owners are asked to put them on leads near wildlife and in the play areas.

Tyntesfield

Just the other side of Bristol, around a 30- to 40-minute drive from Dyrham Park, is Tyntesfield, a Victorian house nestled in a huge Somerset estate.

In the winter months (normally Nov–Feb inclusive), dogs on leads are allowed in some areas of the estate. There are a couple of circular dog walking routes open to dogs on leads all year round.

Lacock Abbey

Just the other side of Chippenham, about a 20-minute drive, is the quaint village of Lacock, home to Lacock Abbey and grounds. Dogs are allowed in the Abbey grounds over winter (normally Nov–Mar inclusive).

There's a dog walking area next to the car park the rest of the year and there are lots of nearby walks to enjoy with your dog.

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