Visiting Castle Drogo with your dog

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.

Castle Drogo is a two pawprint rated place.

These places have water bowls, dog bins and dog-friendly walks. You’ll be able to take your dog into some areas, but not everywhere. If there’s a food and beverage outlet, you can have a cup of tea with them, probably outside. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.

Where can my dog go?

Dogs are a part of the family, and we want them to be included in your visit. Dogs are welcome on a short lead across the estate, including in the formal gardens, castle grounds, shop, and reception area. They are also welcome in our outdoor seating areas at the Café.

Only assistance dogs are allowed into Castle Drogo itself.

The Teign Gorge is a dog walking haven and dogs are welcome throughout. With over 1,000 acres to explore, this is the best spot for letting dogs stretch their legs. Dogs must be on a lead in the car park and in areas where we have livestock. The Teign Gorge is home to ground nesting birds and butterflies, some of which are very rare. Please respect other visitors and the wildlife of the gorge by keeping dogs on the lead between March and July and with paws on the path at all other times.

What facilities are available for my dog?

You’ll find water bowls outside the visitor centre and café. Let us know if they need topping up.
Tether points are available on picnic benches at the café so you can tuck into your coffee and cake hands free.
You’ll find dog waste bins in the car park, at the plant centre entrance to the gardens, near the castle and throughout the Teign Gorge. If you can’t find a bin, please take your dog waste away with you.
Forgotten a short lead or poo bag? We have spares available, please ask for these at Visitor Welcome.

What do I need to be aware of at Castle Drogo?

Dogs must be on a short lead with paws on the path in the castle grounds and gardens.
On the wider estate, different rules apply at different times of the year:
• From 1 March till 31 July: Birds are nesting close to the ground and sheep are lambing. Dogs must be kept on a lead to protect sensitive wildlife and livestock.
• From 1 August till 28 February: Please keep your dog (and yourself) on the main paths and under effective control. Where livestock are present, or where the dog fails to remain on the path, we recommend the use of a short lead.

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.