Bringing your dog to The Workhouse and Infirmary

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.

The Workhouse and Infirmary is a two pawprint rated place.

Dogs are welcome here, but facilities are limited. They’ll be able to stretch their legs in the car park and walk in the nearby open spaces, depending on the season. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.

Where can dogs go at The Workhouse?

Dogs on leads are welcome to explore the picnic field and car park. Only assistance dogs are permitted inside The Workhouse and Infirmary buildings and kitchen garden.

Looking to explore further?

If your dog wants a longer walk when you are at The Workhouse and Infirmary, there is a pleasant public footpath through a lovely local community orchard.

Exit the car park by the pedestrian gate, cross Workhouse Lane and follow the pavement over the bridge. The public footpath is signposted on your right.

If you are feeling more energetic, you have an option at the end of the footpath to cross the road, turn left and look out for the Southwell Trail on your right (it has its own car park).

This is a multi-user path on a disused railway line. Return by the same route.

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

Facilities for your dog

There are water bowls for thirsty dogs before you enter the visitor reception.

A dog waste bin can be found beside the pedestrian entrance of the picnic field.