Visiting Foremark with your dog

Visitors walking in the parkland with their dog at Calke Abbey, Derbyshire — Dogs are welcome to explore Foremark | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Dogs are welcome to explore Foremark and there are lots of woodland and waterside routes for you to enjoy. Find everything you’ll need to know about walking your dog at Foremark and read the canine code here.

Where can my dog go?

Dogs are welcome everywhere at Foremark. Please keep dogs on short leads around the visitor facilities, playground or near livestock, and under close control at all times.

There is plenty of outdoor seating at the refreshments kiosk where you’re welcome to sit and enjoy refreshments with your dog.

Please keep dogs on lead along the Bridleway

Please bear in mind that the Bridleway is a multi-use route, which is often used by horse riders. Because of this, we ask that you keep your pooch on a lead along this route to ensure everyone has an enjoyable visit. This includes the nearby woodland, where dogs might then run onto the Bridleway.

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

Where can’t my dog go?

Dogs are not allowed in the water at Foremark. Reservoirs contain unseen dangers beneath the water and the presence of blue green algae can be dangerous for dogs and people.

Facilities available for my dog

There are water bowls at the kiosk to keep your dog refreshed, and dog waste bins can be found near the bridleway and at the start of the way-marked paths. Please remember to bring plenty of poo bags with you.

A close-up image of a tan-brown dog with a white muzzle and zip, with trees visible in the background — Enjoy walkies at Foremark | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

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.

A view across a grassy area towards the reservoir with the headland visible in the distance. There are two picnic benches on the grass overlooking the water.

Discover more at Foremark

Find out how to get to Foremark, where to park, the things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

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.

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Eating at Foremark

The kiosk is open every day serving a range of hot and cold drinks, light bites, sandwiches and sweet treats. There is outdoor seating available only, where dogs are welcome to join you.