Visiting Hardwick with your dog

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 pawprint rating system and given all the places in our care a rating. You can find this information in the National Trust members’ handbook.

Hardwick is a two pawprint rated place.

These places have water bowls, dog bins and dog-friendly walks. You’ll be able to take your dog into some areas, but not everywhere. 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 on leads are welcome to explore many areas across the Hardwick Estate, including the parkland and Stableyard, which is the main visitor area.

Where can't my dog go?

Dogs aren’t allowed in the Hall or gardens. Well behaved dogs are welcome with their owners in the restaurant. Please use the designated seating area.

On busier days (which includes weekends) we also open the outdoor trailer for takeaway food and drink, so you can grab a treat with your dog.

Why it's important to have your dog on a lead at Hardwick

Hardwick Park is a working farm, home to our rare breed Long Horn cattle, along with herds of sheep. To keep these animals safe and secure we ask you to keep your dog on a lead at all times.

Facilities available for my dog

There are plenty of dog poo bins around the estate, so please pick up after your dog and make use of them.

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.