Visiting Killerton with your dog

A happy spaniel walking with its owner on the grass at at Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire — Dogs are welcome at Killerton | © National Trust / Annapurna Mellor

With miles of paths and tracks to explore, dogs love walkies at Killerton. Find out the best dog-friendly walking routes and where they can run off the lead.

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.

Killerton 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 I take my dog at Killerton?

Killerton is a dog-friendly place, and your four-legged friend is bound to get lots of fuss when you pass through visitor reception. There are acres of parkland and woods where they can exercise off the lead whilst under close control, and enjoy all the smells, sights and sounds of the countryside. Dogs in doggy strollers and backpacks are permitted only in the dog walking areas.

When should I use a lead?

Dogs must be kept on a lead between visitor reception and the house, along the drive, and in the area shaded amber on the map. A map can be picked up in Visitor Reception, showing all these dog friendly areas. Once you are in the park they can be off the lead – these areas are shaded green on the map. Please ensure that your dog is under close control at all times and look out for seasonal signs advising you where livestock is present.

Dog walking areas at Killerton | © Boxall Graphic Design

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

Where can't my dog go?

Dogs are not allowed in the house, garden or chapel grounds. This area includes the Killerton Kitchen Café. These areas are shaded red on the map. Assistance dogs are permitted in these areas.

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.

Dog waste bins

There are several dog waste bins at Killerton. Please clear up after your pet and use the bins provided. If you can't find a bin, please take your waste home. Leaving bagged waste in the countryside is a hazard to wildlife and livestock.

These rules are in place to make sure everyone can enjoy their visit to Killerton, to help look after the historic garden and house, and to ensure the wellbeing of livestock and wildlife.

Additional dog walking at Ashclyst Forest

This woodland area is a great place to reconnect with nature, whether it's for a family ramble or dog walk. Dogs will love the natural woodland and commercial plantations that offer shade and plenty of leaves to sniff through.

Ashclyst is just a few miles from Killerton. It is signposted and easy to find. There are lots of places to park around the forest, but the main car parks are Ashclyst Forest car park and Caddihoe.

Please keep your dog under close control and on a lead around any livestock in this area.

Please note there are no dog poo bins in this area, so please take bagged waste home with you or drop it off at one of the Killerton bins.

Follow the Countryside Code

With more people than ever enjoying our coast and countryside places, we’re asking for your help in looking after them during your visit. Please help us protect wildlife and landscapes by following the Countryside Code, which includes taking any litter home with you, and not lighting a barbecue or campfire.