Visiting Staunton Harold with your dog

A white dog on the lead at Calke Abbey with the legs of two people behind — Dogs are welcome at Staunton Harold | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

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

Where can my dog go?

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

The café at Staunton Harold is dog friendly and you’re welcome to bring your pet inside to enjoy a range of refreshments, including treats for your dog.

Where can’t my dog go?

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

Facilities available for my dog

There are water bowls at the café to keep your dog refreshed, and lots of dog waste bins around the car parks and along some of the 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 Staunton Harold | © 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.

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

A view of the water tower at Staunton Harold with a blue, cloudy sky above and bare trees visible around the tower.

Discover more at Staunton Harold

Find out how to get to Staunton Harold, 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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Things to see and do at Staunton Harold

From walking and water sports to wildlife spotting and outdoor play, find out what there is to see and do on your visit to Staunton Harold here.

An adult and child sitting at a table inside the cafe at Staunton Harold, smiling and holding drinks.

Eating at Staunton Harold

The café is open every day serving a range of hot and cold drinks, light bites, sandwiches and sweet treats. Dogs are welcome inside the café, with dog treats and essentials available to buy. Seating is available indoors and outdoors.