Visiting Wallington with your dog

Man in a bobble hat, black jacket and blue jeans walking his Doberman dog on a red lead past one of the ponds at Wallington — Enjoy a visit with your dog at Wallington | © Rebecca Hughes

We love dogs at Wallington and they’re more than welcome to visit all year round. Find out what facilities are available for dogs and what you need to be aware of when you’re walking your dog at Wallington.

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.

Wallington 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. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.

Where can my dog go?

Wallington is a large outdoor property and there are miles of walks to explore. Dogs are welcome in almost all the outdoor areas including the woodland, along the River walks and in the walled garden. Dogs are also allowed inside the Clocktower Café and shops.

Where can't my dog go?

Dogs are not allowed in the play areas or house. Only assistance dogs are allowed in these areas. There is also a separate area within the upstairs of the cafe where dogs are not permitted (the Piper's Room).

What do I need to be aware of at Wallington?

You must keep your dog on a lead at all times when visiting to avoid disturbing the wildlife and the grazing livestock on the tenant farms.

Dogs and livestock

Be aware that walking with a dog may make the livestock show more interest in you
Always keep your dog on a lead when passing through areas with livestock
Never allow your dog to worry livestock, which can involve chasing or attacking them
Leave as much space as you can between your dog and the animals

When you encounter livestock, don’t worry too much about sticking to the line of the path, give them room.

If you are threatened by cattle, it’s safer to let go of your dog’s lead. Your dog is likely to run away to safety and meet you further along the path. Don’t risk getting hurt by trying to protect your dog, for example by picking it up. The cattle may still try to get to your dog as they think it is the threat.

Facilities available for my dog

You'll find water bowls in the courtyard and outside the visitor welcome area. There are litter bins for your dog’s waste in the courtyard and at the entrance to the East Wood. You can buy doggy treats in the café and shop.

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

Pooch Passport (now ended)

Wallington was part of the Pooch Passport scheme, a National Trust partnership with natural pet food maker Forthglade, which ran between 1 September 2024 and 28 February 2025. The Pooch Passports scheme has now ended – thank you to everyone who has visited Wallington or one of the other properties with 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.

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

A corner view of Wallington showing the south front and side of the house

Discover more at Wallington

Find out when Wallington is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

Two people walking a dog in the rain around the lakes at Prior Park Landscape Garden, Somerset

Dog-friendly places to visit

Discover the best places for you and your dog to explore, from coastal adventures and dramatic mountains to more leisurely walks and gardens to visit nearby. Plus, find information on dog-friendly cafés and read our Canine Code.

A visitor with their dog leaving the Muddy Paws café at Lyme Park, Cheshire

Article

Visiting National Trust places with your dog

If you’re bringing your dog(s) to the places we care for, you'll find information on our Canine Code and pawprint rating system, created in partnership with Forthglade, to help plan your visit.

A couple dressed for winter with drinks at a cafe table with their dog

Article

Best walks with dog-friendly cafés

Rest and refuel after getting out in nature with your dog. Here's a selection of the best walks with dog-friendly cafés at places we look after.

A dog on the lawn with dog treats from the Forthglade range at Ickworth House, Suffolk

Article

How we're working with Forthglade for dog-friendly visits

We've partnered with natural pet food maker Forthglade to create the Dogs Welcome project, helping you and your dog(s) get the most out of the places in our care.

Article

Things to see and do in the garden at Wallington

Discover the colourful, fragrant plants in the Walled Garden, take in the different spaces and areas and look out for the peaceful Mary Pool.

Visitors enjoying a warm drink outside the cafe at Stourhead, Wiltshire

Article

Eating and shopping at Wallington

Stop by the Clocktower Café at Wallington for a selection of hot and cold drinks, and homemade bakes. Then browse the shop for gifts, books, homewares and more.

Room view of the Drawing Room at Wallington, Northumberland

Article

Things to see and do in the house at Wallington

The house is now closed until Monday 24 March. Find out more about what you can do in the house and plan your spring 2025 visit to uncover the fascinating stories of those who lived here, told through their collection of artworks, books, ceramics and curiosities.