Discover more at Castle Ward
Find out when Castle Ward is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Dogs are welcome at Castle Ward this winter. With acres of frosty countryside and woodland to explore, there are endless opportunities for bounding, sniffing, and splashing through the crisp estate.
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.
Castle Ward is a three pawprint rated place.
Three pawprints shows the very best places you can visit for a day with your dog. You’ll be able to take your dog to most areas, including indoors for a cup of tea and a treat. There’ll be clearly signed dog zones and dog-friendly experiences. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.
Dogs on leads are welcome across the estate, in the garden and in the Stableyard Tea-room.
There is a designated off-lead dog exercise field located near the admission hut and main car park where you can let your dog have a stretch off the lead.
Only assistance dogs are permitted in the house and shop.
Dogs must be kept on leads at all times on the estate including on the trails, due to their varied nature. Around a corner you might find a horse rider, a family, a cyclist, or even all three at once.
There are grazing across the estate, as well as a variety of wildlife – please do keep your dog on a lead for the safety of all.
We’ve worked with our partner Forthglade to come up with this Canine Code, which helps to make sure everyone can enjoy their day:
Our definition of close or effective control is:
Drinking bowls for your dog are positioned in the Stableyard and farmyard. Bins are available in each car park.
Find out when Castle Ward is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
We've partnered with natural pet food maker Forthglade so that you and your dog can get even more out of the special places we care for.
This festive season, we invite you to step inside Castle Ward and experience the mansion dressed in tableau for an evocative 18th-century Christmas.
Discover the best places for a dog walk, from coastal adventures and dramatic mountains to more leisurely walks near you. Plus, find information on dog-friendly cafés and read our Canine Code.
If you’re bringing your dog(s) to the places we care for, you'll find information on our pawprint rating system and the Canine Code to help plan your visit.
Rest and refuel after enjoying a walk with your dog. Here's a selection of the best walks with dog-friendly cafés at places we look after.
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.
Discover one of the best examples of a Victorian garden in Ireland. Explore the 17th- and 18th-century pleasure grounds, stroll by the lake and see an important piece of history.
Tuck into a seasonal menu and treat yourself or someone special in the shops. Watch artists in action or pick up a Game of Thrones memento.
With water bowls, hitching posts and plenty of ground to cover, the places in our care aren't just for history-loving hounds. The sandy beaches and woodland trails on offer are a dog-walker's dream. From dog exercise areas to dog-friendly accommodation, discover a slice of canine heaven when visiting with your four-legged friend.