Visiting Bateman's 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 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.

Bateman's 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 at Bateman's?

Dogs are welcome in all outdoor areas at Bateman’s. Please keep your dog on a short lead throughout the garden and meadows.

Where can't my dog go at Bateman's?

Assistance dogs only in the Mulberry tea-room, the house, mill and shop.

There's plenty of outside seating at the tea-room where you and your dog can sit together, but please leave your dog outside when ordering.

What do I need to be aware of at Bateman's?

You will find cattle and sheep grazing on the estate managed by our tenant farmers. We ask all visitors to keep to the footpaths and take care not to disturb the livestock. Some will be with their young. Dog walkers should keep their pets under close control.

Facilities at Bateman's for my dog

There are water bowls outside the tea-room, shop and at visitor reception. Please remember to bring dog-waste bags with you. Dog bins are located by the natural play area, the mill and on the lane, at the beginning of the estate walks.

Doggy treats are available in the tea-room and the shop stocks dog-related supplies such as toys, travel bowls, tick combs and even poop bags.

Thank you for helping to keep the garden and estate clean for everyone to enjoy.

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