Visiting Clumber Park with your dog

A lady and gentleman walking their black dog in autumn leaves — Dog walking at Clumber Park | © Annapurna Mellor

Dogs have always been special at Clumber Park. The Clumber Spaniel breed was developed here when the estate was home to the Dukes of Newcastle. Today, exploring the 3,800 acres of beautiful parkland with your furry companion by your side is one of the best ways to see the park.

Our pawprint rating system

Clumber Park is a three pawprint rated place showing we're one of the very best National Trust places you can visit for a day with your dog. We offer a dog-friendly experience and you’ll be able to take your dog to most areas, including indoors for a cuppa and a treat.

Where can my dog go?

Dogs are welcome across Clumber Park, but please keep them on a lead when signage asks you to do so.

Where can’t my dog go?

Dogs are not allowed inside the main cafe but we do have a dog-friendly cafe called Central Bark.

What do I need to be aware of at Clumber Park?

Clumber Park is home to many cattle, deer and other wildlife. Please be mindful of this when walking in the park with your dogs, and take notice of any signs advising you of livestock.

We ask that dogs are kept on a lead in the Pleasure Grounds, walled kitchen garden and busier areas of the park such as Lake Brew at Hardwick village.

If dogs return when called, we recommend it is safe to allow them off lead in quieter areas of the park.

Central Bark dog-friendly cafe

Clumber Park is home to its very own dog-friendly cafe, Central Bark.

It offers somewhere warm indoors to shelter from the wind and rain, or there's a coffee garden outside to enjoy in the sunshine. We have dog bowls for your canine friends, as well as toys for them to play with, ensuring that your dog will be in their element.

We also offer doggy products to purchase, just in case you may have forgotten to bring something on your walk.

If you dog has thoroughly enjoyed their day and needs a quick clean down before getting back in the car, our new warm water dog shower is available for them to enjoy.

Open every day from 9.00 - 15.00, we serve hot and cold snacks and all your favourite drinks made to order. You'll find Central Bark between the walled kitchen garden and the cricket ground.

Weekly Dog Walking Social

Every Wednesday at 10.00 from Central Bark.

Come and enjoy a leisurely led walk around Clumber Park, and treat yourself to a cuppa and a piece of cake in the café afterwards.

Monthly Family Dog Walk

First Sunday of every month at 10.30 from Central Bark.

Explore different areas of Clumber Park while meeting like-minded dog loving families.

Note: for all our walks, please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. All dogs to be kept on a lead and should be sociable with other dogs and owners. No booking required, please just turn up on the day.

Annual Dog Show

Every September we hold a fun, family-friendly Dog Show. Enter 'Waggiest Tail', 'Prettiest Eyes', Best Junior Handler' and many more. Visit the show stalls to pick up a treat and grab a bite to eat in Central Bark.

Two women with a black dog sitting on a tree stump and chatting in woodland at Basildon Park, Berkshire. — Visitors with a dog in woodland | © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey

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