Visiting Cragside with your dog

Dogs on leads at all times

We ask that dogs are kept on a lead at all times during your visit to Cragside.

Why keep your dog on a lead:

• For your dog’s safety: Cragside is built on a craggy outcrop with steep drops and cliff-like edges. Keeping your dog close helps prevent accidents.
• To protect wildlife: The estate is home to roe deer, red squirrels, otters and nesting birds. Disturbing them can cause serious harm, including injury or forcing them into nearby roads.
• To support other dogs: Not all dogs are happy with being approached. Keeping dogs on leads helps create and calm and safe environment.
• For the comfort of visitors: Some people are nervous around dogs. By keeping your dog on a lead, you are helping all visitors have a relaxed and happy visit.

Where can my dog go? 

Dogs are welcome in all outdoor areas including the gardens and woodland. There are 40-miles of footpaths to explore across the 1000-acre grounds, and all are accessible for dogs. We have 9 waymarked walks to choose from, or you can go on your own adventure using Cragside’s map to guide you.

Dogs are welcome to browse with you in the shop. There is dog-friendly seating indoors at the tea rooms, as well as under large umbrellas outdoors as well.

Where can't my dog go?

Dogs are not allowed in the House, except assistance dogs. 

What facilities are available?

Water bowls

Water bowls are located at the visitor centre courtyard and outside the House.

If you require extra water, please visit the tea room, The Still Room (next to the House) and Crozier’s Kiosk (next to the adventure play area) where your bottles/foldable bowls can be topped up for free.

Dog bins

Please think of our Rangers who care for the path edges during your visit. It’s not pleasant to strim or mow through dog poo.

There are 11 dog bins on the grounds. All locations are marked on the Explore Cragside map with a dog symbol (see the key for details). You will be given a map on arrival and you can pre-download a copy here. The locations are: 

- Next to the Archimedes Screw 
- Either end of the main car park
- Outside the Bunkhouse
- One on the walking route around Tumbleton Lake
- Formal Garden car park
- Dunkirk car park
- Crozier car park (near the play area)
- Nelly's Moss car park (near labyrinth)
- Two around Nelly's Moss Lakes

Visiting other National Trust properties?

The National Trust pawprint rating system

All properties and places in our care have been given a handy pawprint rating. You can find this information in the National Trust members’ handbook or online here. 

Cragside 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. 

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 avoids tripping up other visitors and 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.