Visiting Cragside with your dog

Why you need to keep your dog on a lead

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

This is to help keep you and your dog safe. As the name suggests, Cragside is built on a craggy outcrop with rocky pathways and some cliff edges. Resident wildlife, includes deer, red squirrels and nesting birds around the lakes that could be startled by a roaming dog. 

By keeping your dog on a lead you will also help owner with anxious dogs and visitors who are cautious around dogs too. 

Where can my dog go? 

There are 40-miles of footpaths to explore across this 1,000-acre estate and all of these are accessible for dogs.

They are also welcome in Cragside's shop and tea rooms, where there is a dog-friendly seating area indoors. 

Where can't my dog go?

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

What facilities are available?

Water bowls

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

Dog bins

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?

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.

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 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.