Visiting Lanhydrock with your dog

Two visitors walking dogs in the late autumn parkland with bare trees and gold leaves on the ground at Lanhydrock, Cornwall. — Visitors walking their dogs at Lanhydrock | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

If you're a fan of dogs, you're not alone. A browse through the Victorian family photo albums at Lanhydrock reveals as many photos of pets as of people, including much-loved spaniels and terriers. The Robartes children were often featured along with the nanny and a favoured terrier. Today, Lanhydrock welcomes dogs just like the family did hundreds of years ago.

Winter closing at Lanhydrock

Please note that the house, garden, Courtyard Cafe, courtyard toilets and visitor reception are currently closed for the winter and will re-open on March 1 2024.

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.

Lanhydrock 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. There'll be clearly signed dog zones and dog-friendly experiences. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.

Where can dogs go at Lanhydrock?

Well-behaved dogs are welcome inside the The Park Café. Here, you'll find drinking bowls and dog biscuits (for a donation) to keep your pet happy.

So that everyone can enjoy the Park Cafe, we ask that all dog owners ensure that their furry friends:

Are kept on their lead
Keep 4 paws on the floor
Sit safely under the table
Feed and water outside
We know it's fun to bark, but please bark outside

There's a doggie tie-up area in the Stables courtyard if you wish to use it. Dogs are also welcome in the outdoor shopping area of the plant centre.

All of the Lanhydrock walking trails are dog-friendly. Please pick up a map from reception.

There are five designated dog bathing areas along the River Fowey and we ask that you keep your dog to these areas to minimise disturbance to wildlife in other parts of the river. Pick up a dog waste bin map / dog bathing area card from our outlets.

Where can't they go?

Only assistance dogs are permitted in the house and garden.

We ask that dog owners do not walk or ride with their dogs on the designated cycle trails. Since the trails are intended for riding at speed, there's a risk of injury to dogs, walkers and other cyclists.

A small dog on a lead with autumn leaves on the ground at Croome, Worcestershire — There are lots of places for your dog to explore | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

What do you need to be aware of?

Cattle

Cattle return to the parkland at the beginning of April and are removed at the end of October. Temporary electric fences will be in place when cattle are present, to offer visitors a cattle-free path towards the house and gardens.

The countryside is still accessible through the designated entrance ways. All fences will be signed, and we ask that all dogs remain on leads when close to the fences and cattle.

Cattle are inquisitive creatures and may come over to have a look and a sniff. If they do this and are showing signs of heightened interest in you or your dog, then it's advised that you let your dog off the lead.

As soon as the cattle lose interest, which they will, immediately call your dog back and put it on the lead again.

Sheep

Sheep are in the parkland in early November and be removed at the end of December. When sheep are in the parkland, please keep dogs on leads at all times.

What facilities are there for dogs at Lanhydrock?

To help keep Lanhydrock looking lovely, there are bins for dog waste. These are located in the places that are popular with dog walkers around the estate, such as near reception, the car park and the entrance to the house courtyard. Pick up a map card from our outlets.

Dog water bowls are located outside the Park Café, the reception building and in the Stables courtyard. Please check the current opening times on the main homepage.

Dog walkers at Lanhydrock, Cornwall — Please keep your dogs on a lead at all times | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

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