Visiting Stowe Gardens with your dog

A visitor's arm is visible holding a dog's lead beside the Rotondo at Stowe Landscape Gardens, Buckinghamshire. — Dog walking at Stowe, Buckinghamshire | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Dogs are welcome at Stowe Gardens all year round. Find out where your dog can go, the things to be aware of, the facilities available and more.

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.

Stowe Gardens is a three pawprint rated place.

These places have water bowls, dog bins and dog-friendly walks. You’ll be able to take your dog into most areas. 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.

Where can my dog go?

Dogs are welcome at Stowe Gardens and we ask that you keep them under close control and on a lead everywhere. At the New Inn your dog is welcome in the shop, Parlour Rooms, and bookshop. Dogs are also allowed in all outdoor café seating areas and the indoor seating area in the corridor next to the main café.

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

Two visitors walking two small dogs amongst fallen leaves autumnal walk in the landscaped garden at Stowe, Buckinghamshire — Dog walking amongst autumn leaves at Stowe | © National Trust Images / Arnhel de Serra

Where can’t my dog go?

The only places your dog can't go is inside the café at the New Inn and the vegetable patches within the Farmhouse Garden, where we allow assistance dogs only.

Facilities available for my dog

Waste bins

There are dog waste bins available by the entrance of the gardens, as well as by the New Inn near the car park. In the garden you’ll find dog waste bins by Stowe Church, as well as by the Fane of Pastoral Poetry in the Grecian Valley.

Water bowls

There are dog bowls outside the New Inn when you arrive so your pooch can rehydrate. There are also bowls by the plant sales area at the back of the New Inn and at the entrance to the garden.

Treats and accessories

Visit the shop for accessories for your dog, from matching collars and leads to dog bags and treats if you’ve forgotten yours, as well as toys for your dog at home.

Dog trail

Download or print the Dog trail at Stowe, written from a dog’s perspective, and bring it along on your walk to help you enjoy your visit.

Monthly dog walks

Join us on a paw patrol to explore the gardens at Stowe. Meet your walk leader at the garden entrance at 10:30am on the third Wednesday of every month. The walk will take approximately an hour and a half, but feel free to peel off at any point if your fur-baby has shorter legs.

This is the perfect opportunity for your pooch to meet other dogs, and you to meet other dog lovers.

Dog wash

Take advantage of our free dog wash, located just inside the Farmhouse Garden. The perfect way to wash away the mud off your doggy's paws before stopping in the cafe or heading back to the car. (Cold water only, please no shampoo).

Dog first aid kits

We know your dog is a part of the family, so we've got you covered. We have small dog first aid kits available on request in case you need an emergency poo bag, a pair of tick tweezers, or some bandages. (We are not vets so we will not be able to carry out any first aid on your dog, and in an emergency you should always speak to your vet first).

Visiting Stowe House

Whilst Stowe House is not owned by the National Trust and separate admission applies, you may decide to head inside as part of your visit. Dogs are welcome on leads in the visitor centre at Stowe House, but assistance dogs only are allowed in the main house and on house tours.