Visiting Stonehenge Landscape with your dog

Man walking dog through gate at Stonehenge Landscape — Dogs are permitted on the Stonehenge Cursus | © National Trust Images/John Miller

While some fields on the Stonehenge Landscape are dog-free zones, there are other areas where walkers and their dogs can enjoy a good stroll. Unfortunately, increasing incidences of sheep worrying and the loss of a number of lambs meant it was necessary to reduce the areas dogs were welcome. Discover more about the areas you can walk together with your dog and what to consider while you're here.

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.

Stonehenge Landscape is a one pawprint rated place.

Dogs are welcome here, but facilities are limited. They’ll be able to stretch their legs in the car park and walk in the nearby open spaces, depending on the season. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.

Where can't my dog go?

All National Trust fields that are grazed by sheep in the Stonehenge Landscape remain dog-free zones. This is because of an extended period of sheep worrying with a number of lambs being injured or killed on Trust land.

Extensive signage has been used over the years, but sadly it hasn’t reduced the number of incidents in the area. The Trust allows free permissive access for walkers, but restrictions are in place in some areas for people walking with their dogs.

If you would like a PDF copy of a map please email wiltshire.countryside@nationaltrust.org.uk

Close up of a small brown and white dog — A dog enjoying a good walk | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Where can my dog go?

Access to Public Rights of Way through Trust land is not affected. However we do ask that dogs are kept under close control or on a lead particularly when sheep are nearby.

Please note that assistance dogs on leads are welcome anywhere on Trust land.

What do I need to be aware of?

As you enjoy your walk, please keep an eye out for the signs on the gates. It's also important to remember that even if no sheep are visible in the field, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t close by.

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.

Contented looking sheep sitting in the Stonehenge Landscape — Sheep at the Stonehenge Landscape | © National Trust / John Miller

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

If you have questions email us on wiltshire.countryside@nationaltrust.org.uk.