20 Exciting adventures for you and your dog

With an estimated 27% of UK adults owning a dog it goes without saying that we’re a nation of pet lovers. Our pups truly are a part of the family, so why not plan your daytrips around them? English Heritage has a huge range of amazing dog-friendly sites across the UK – here are our top 20!

Clinging to the clifftops, Tintagel Castle is a magical place to explore. With a stunning walk through the castle ruins and a secluded beach that’s perfect for doggy paddles, this is one trip that’s sure to set tails wagging.

Set in over 60 acres of riverside parkland, Marble Hill provides humans and their four-legged friends with an idyllic landscape to explore. Be sure to try the newly refurbished café.

Audley End House and Gardens, Essex

Enjoy a doggy day out at Audley End House where you can relax in award-winning gardens modelled by 18th-century landscape architect, Capability Brown.

Denny Abbey and the Farmland Museum, Cambridgeshire

Explore the remains of this 12th-century Benedictine abbey, take in the Medieval tiled floor and find out all about its connection with the Knights Templar.

Ashby de la Zouch Castle, Leicestershire

Discover the impressive Hastings Tower at 12th-century, Ashby de la Zouch castle. It’s a castle-within-a-castle with some incredible views from the top!

Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire

Snoop around the home of the 1st Duke of Newcastle in this lavish 17th-century 'playboy's mansion'. Learn about the history of dressage and enjoy some of the finest wall paintings in England.

Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, Warwickshire

Walk in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I at one of Britain’s largest historical sites at Kenilworth Castle. And with a name that sounds like it was built for our furry friends, you won’t be surprised that it’s dog-friendly, too!

White Ladies Priory, Shropshire

Why not take a stroll with your dog around the restored knot garden at White Ladies Priory? The Victorian farmyard and priest-hole are well worth a visit, too.

Chiswick House and Gardens, West London

One of the finest examples of 18th-century architecture in Britain, this Palladian villa is a breath-taking place to visit. Plus, following their restoration, you can now enjoy the gardens’ original vistas!

Kenwood, North London

Kenwood sits within 112 acres of parkland and boasts a collection of paintings by artists like Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Gainsborough. A perfect day out for the whole family.

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Northumberland

Enjoy the Grade 1-listed gardens of Belsay Hall and find out all about their special microclimate. Explore the Greek Revival mansion then climb up the 14th-century tower for some stunning views!

Derwentcote Steel Furnace, Durham

Visit the earliest and most complete steel-making furnace in Britain! Built around 1730, Derwentcote is part of English Land of Oak and Iron project, which aims to improve access to local heritage in the Derwent Valley.

Beeston Castle and Woodland Park, Cheshire

Boasting views across to the Welsh Mountains, and with 40-acres of land to roam around, this dramatic site is an ideal location for you and your four-legged friends.

Birdoswald Roman Fort - Hadrian's Wall, Cumbria

With the longest remaining stretch of Hadrian’s Wall spanning as far as the eye can see, it’s impossible not to stand in awe at this site. Explore the remains of the wall, and more at this famous frontier.

1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex

There’s so much to see and do at England’s most memorable battlefield. Dig deep into history and follow in the footsteps of our ancestors when you walk the battle trail.

Dover Castle, Kent

Have an unforgettable adventure at Dover Castle! Rising above the White Cliffs, this iconic fortress has so many stories to tell. Don’t miss the secret wartime tunnels.

Hound Tor Deserted Medieval Village, Devon

How can a place named ‘Hound Tor’ not be the perfect place for walkies? This atmospheric isolated village consists of a series of stone longhouses with lots of nooks and crannies for your pooch to explore.

The Sanctuary, Avebury, Wiltshire

The Sanctuary at Avebury is a World Heritage-listed Neolithic site. Enjoy the stunning surrounding countryside as you explore the mystical monuments.

Gainsthorpe Medieval Village, Lincolnshire

This is one of England’s best-preserved deserted Medieval villages. No one knows why it was abandoned, but the tangle of streets, houses and barns are still visible as a complex mix of grassy humps and bumps.

Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire

Get in touch with your Gothic side at this splendid 13th-century abbey. Towering above the town, offering dramatic coastal views and wide-open land to explore, it’s a great place to visit for a memorable dog walk.

* Please note: Always keep your dog on a lead when you're in fields with livestock, and please clean up after your pet. See specific site pages for details.

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