Visiting Knole with your dog

Dog with its owner — Visitor with their dog | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

There are acres of open parkland to enjoy at Knole, but please keep away from the wild deer herd and make sure your dog is always on a lead. The majority of the parkland is managed by Knole Estate, with about 100 acres managed by the National Trust.

Keep dogs on leads at all times in the parkland.

Please keep your dog on a lead at all times whilst in the park. Just like a herd of cows, the deer in the park are wild, unpredictable animals that roam freely and can feel threatened by dogs. Unfortunately, the deer have been fatally attacked by dogs off lead in the park.

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.

Knole 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?

Your dog is welcome to join you in the parkland and the outdoor courtyard areas, including the historic Green and Stone Courts, and the outdoor seating area at the Brewhouse Café. Please keep your dog on a lead at all times.

Where can't my dog go?

Assistance dogs only inside please.

What do I need to be aware of at Knole?

Deer graze in the parkland, so please keep your dog on a lead at all times to avoid them feeling threatened.

What facilities are available for my dog?

Tether points and water bowls are available outside the Brewhouse Café. There are also tether points in Green Court. Dog waste bins are located in the National Trust managed areas: by the café, the exit from the car park and near the cattle grid at the main entrance.

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.