Visiting Arlington Court with your dog

The back of a dogs head with Arlington house behind on a sunny day — Dog walking at Arlington Court, Devon | © NTI/Katy Anderson

Arlington Court has been home to the Chichester family for 11 generations, known for their love of dogs, they would be pleased to know that today, canine companions are still very welcome across most of the estate. Find out more about visiting with your dog.

Our pawprint rating system

We’ve made it easier to find out how dog-friendly your visit will be before you arrive with our new pawprint rating system, which can be found in the National Trust members’ handbook.

Arlington Court has a top rating of three pawprints – meaning it’s one of the best places to visit with your dog. Most areas are open to dogs, including indoor spots for tea and treats, with clear dog zones and plenty of dog-friendly experiences. Find out below where you dog can and can’t go.

Where can my dog go?

We like to ensure every member of the family is included on your visit and so dogs on leads are welcome in the National Trust Carriage Museum, in the garden and on the wider estate.

Only assistance dogs are allowed in Arlington Court House itself and inside the Old Kitchen Tea-room, however, there are plenty of seats next door in our indoor additional seating area, the servants hall, as well as picnic benches outside the tea-room where dogs are very welcome.

The wider estate at Arlington offers miles of beautiful trails where dogs can enjoy more freedom. We ask owners to be mindful and help protect wildlife by keeping their dogs in sight and under control throughout their walk.

What is mindful dog walking?

Mindful dog walking is about more than following rules, it’s a chance to slow down, connect with nature, and enjoy this shared landscape. Whether you’re exploring the pleasure grounds or the wider estate, your choices help protect wildlife, livestock, and the experience of other visitors.

Keeping your dog close helps create a safe and peaceful environment for everyone, from nesting birds to fellow walkers. It also means being aware of others: calling dogs back before they approach people or other dogs, preventing jumping up, and anticipating their behaviour.

Thank you for walking responsibly and helping to keep Arlington welcoming for all.

Protecting nature and livestock

From mid-February through June, Arlington’s landscapes become important nesting grounds for ground-nesting birds like skylarks, meadow pipits, and nightjars. Their eggs and chicks are hidden in grass and undergrowth, making them especially vulnerable to disturbance - even from playful or curious dogs.

To help protect wildlife during this time, we kindly ask dog walkers to:

Keep dogs on leads or close at heel in nesting areas

Stick to main paths to avoid hidden nests

Watch for signs of bird distress (such as sudden flight or alarm calls) and move away if needed

Stay aware of other wildlife, like deer fawns and leverets, which also hide in long grass

Every small action helps. Thank you for helping to protect Arlington’s wildlife and for supporting peaceful, enjoyable visits for everyone.
While walking on the Arlington estate you may encounter cattle. To help keep yourself, your dog, and the animals safe, we ask visitors to follow a few simple guidelines when near livestock.

General Guidelines:

Keep Your Dog on a Short Lead: Always maintain close control of your dog when near livestock. This prevents potential chasing or distress to the animals.

Stay Calm and Observant: Move steadily and avoid sudden movements that might startle the cattle.

Do not walk through the middle of a group of cattle, or separate the group. Where possible walk around the edge of the herd keeping a respectful distance

Young cattle are by nature inquisitive and may approach you. They are not always being aggressive, stay calm and keep moving slowly. If you run, they will run. If you walk they will walk.
Sheep and lambs are especially vulnerable to disturbance, injury, and stress from dogs - even friendly or curious ones. We ask all dog walkers to take extra care when near sheep and lambs, especially during lambing season.

Please follow this additional guidance when walking near sheep:

Always keep your dog on a short lead in areas where sheep are present

Never allow your dog to chase or bark at sheep. Even if no physical harm is done, the stress can cause serious issues, particularly during lambing.

Avoid walking through fields with sheep and lambs if possible, especially in spring. Please use alternative routes if they’re available.

During lambing season (typically February–April), please be especially mindful. Ewes may abandon or injure their lambs if startled.

These extra steps help protect both livestock and dogs while supporting the wider community in keeping this land safe, peaceful, and shared.
Picking up after your dog isn’t just about keeping paths clean - it’s also a vital part of protecting Arlington’s delicate ecosystems. Dog waste adds nutrients to the soil that can disrupt the natural balance, encouraging invasive plants and affecting the health of native species. It can also carry bacteria and parasites that pose risks to wildlife, livestock, and other dogs.

We ask all visitors to:

Bag it and bin it using the dedicated dog waste bins across the site

Be prepared to carry it if you're walking in areas without immediate bin access

Use spare bags available at The Servants’ Hall and other key locations if needed

Taking a moment to clean up helps protect the landscape, keeps grazing animals safe, and ensures everyone can enjoy a clean, welcoming place to explore.

Thank you for doing your part to care for Arlington.

Dog and person walking along a gravel path in the gardens during summer at Arlington — Dog walking in the gardens at Arlington | © NTI/Katy Anderson

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.