Visiting Attingham with your dog

Visitors walking in the grounds at Attingham Park | © National Trust Images/ Annapurna Mellor

Dogs lived alongside the Berwick family who left the Attingham Estate to the National Trust. Continuing the tradition, thousands of the half a million people who visit Attingham every year bring their four-legged friends to enjoy walking in the outdoors. Here are some top tips for you and your dog to make the most of your visit.

New Dog Leaflet

During your next visit pick up a copy of our brand new dog leaflet on your way through Visitor Reception.

The Canine Code

We want you and your dog to have a fun and stress-free day. We also want to protect farm animals and precious wildlife habitats, as well as ensure everyone can enjoy the countryside, whether or not they have a dog. This is why we've teamed up with natural pet food maker Forthglade to put together the Canine Code.

Keep them close: Using a short lead prevents your dog from disturbing ground-nesting birds and farm animals. It's essential to use a short lead around deer. If cattle approach you, it's best to let your dog off-lead, and call them back when it's safe to do so.
Pick up the poo: Please always clear up after your dog. Pick up a 'Visiting with your dog' leaflet from Visitor Reception on your arrival for bin locations. If you can't find a bin nearby, take the poo bags home with you.
Watch the signs: Keep an eye on local signs wherever you're walking. They'll tell you, for instance, 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 others, 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

Dogs welcome at Attingham Park, Shropshire | © National Trust Images / Annapurna Mellor

Facilities for dog walkers

There are 10 dog waste bins located around the site. Please clear up after your dog and use these bins to dispose of the waste. Paw friendly toilets can be found at the Brewhouse near the Mansion, in the Walled Garden and in the Field of Play.

There are '10-minute dog tie-up points' in the Stables Courtyard where you can tie your dog up for a maximum of 10 minutes while you pop into the Carriage House Café, the second-hand bookshop, Stables Shop and toilets. Assistance dogs are welcome inside the café, shop, second-hand bookshop and toilets.

Dogs are welcome to explore the grounds at Attingham, but please keep your dog on a lead in all of the outdoor spaces, other than in the designated off-lead area.

A year-round off-lead zone is open in the woodland. It’s the perfect place to let your four-legged friend off lead for a run or a quick game of fetch.

From Monday 11 November the paddock in the middle of the Mile Walk has re-opened as a walking and dog off-lead area during the winter months, by kind permission of the tenant farmer.

Look out for signs that indicate a ‘short-lead area’ – these are places that can get very busy and we ask that you keep your four-legged friend close by in those areas for the safety and enjoyment of all visitors.

Download a copy of the 'Visiting with your dog' leaflet or pick up a copy from Visitor Reception to take a map with you.

Download a copy