Skip to content

Visiting Cotehele with your dog

Image shows two women walking their dog along a gravel path surrounded by green hedgerows.
Dog walkers exploring woodland | © National Trust/Annapurna Mellor

There’s plenty of space for your dog to stretch their legs around the Cotehele grounds. There are miles of paths to explore through the woodland, countryside and around the quay, or just relax together in the Barn Café or The Edgcumbe at the quay.

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.

Cotehele 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?

Dogs are welcome to join you on the Cotehele estate, including the Barn Café, The Edgcumbe at Cotehele Quay, shop, plant centre and the Bull Pen Gallery. However, only assistance dogs are allowed in the house, garden and orchards.

There are more than a thousand acres of countryside to explore at Cotehele and lots of dog-friendly walks.

When should my dog be on the lead?

Dogs should be kept on the lead and under close control in the following areas: around the visitor facilities, in grazing areas when livestock are present, in the Barn Café and The Edgcumbe at Cotehele Quay.

Elsewhere, dogs can roam off the lead if they are kept under close control.

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
Dog walking on the Holnicote Estate, Somerset
Visitors walking their dogs | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

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.

What facilities are available for my dog?

Water bowls

Dogs can get a refreshing drink of clean water outside the toilet blocks, visitor reception, Barn Café, The Edgcumbe at Cotehele Quay and mill buildings.

Dog waste bins

Dog waste bins can be found at the start of the estate walks at Visitor Reception, on the paths leading to Cotehele Mill and on the path from the quay car park leading to the Chapel-in-the-Woods.

Help keep Cotehele clean

Please use these for your dog waste bags or take them home. Leaving bags on paths, (or in trees), spoils the beauty of this special place and everyone’s enjoyment of it.

The rangers strim back growth around the walking routes at Cotehele, so please don’t flick poo into the grass at the side of paths, as it’s a health hazard.

What if my dog gets separated from me?

Call us on 01579 351346 and we’ll help reunite you.



A giant apple made of apples outside the house at Cotehele

Discover more at Cotehele

Find out when Cotehele is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

Our partners

Forthglade

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.

Visit website 

You might also be interest in

Two visitors holding hands whilst walking their dog at Tarn Hows, Cumbria

Dog-friendly places to visit 

Discover the best places for a dog walk, from coastal adventures and dramatic mountains to more leisurely walks near you. Plus, find information on dog-friendly cafés and read our Canine Code.

A visitor with their dog leaving the Muddy Paws café at Lyme Park, Cheshire
Article
Article

Visiting National Trust places with your dog 

If you’re bringing your dog(s) to the places we care for, you'll find information on our pawprint rating system and the Canine Code to help plan your visit.

A man sitting at a cafe table with two large dogs
Article
Article

Best walks with dog-friendly cafés 

Find a place to sit and relax with your dog after a good walk. Here's a selection of great walks with dog-friendly cafés at the end to round off the day.

A dog on the lawn with dog treats from the Forthglade range at Ickworth House, Suffolk
Article
Article

How we're working with Forthglade for dog-friendly visits 

We've partnered with natural pet food maker Forthglade to create the Dogs Welcome project, helping you and your dog(s) get the most out of the places in our care.

Exterior view of grey stone building, seen across a green meadow. Trees with orange and brown leaves on right side of image.
Article
Article

Visiting Cotehele's garden 

Take a stroll around the 5.5 hectares of Cotehele's garden where you’ll discover terraced herbaceous borders, a lily pond as well as a medieval stewpond and dovecote.

Visitors looking at crafts within the Bull Pen Gallery at Cotehele
Article
Article

Eating and shopping at Cotehele 

Tuck into a cream tea at one of Cotehele’s cafés, find an eco-friendly gift or plant at the shop, and discover local artists at The Bull Pen Gallery.

The Quay on the Tamar River at dawn, at Cotehele, near Saltash, Cornwall
Article
Article

Exploring the Cotehele estate 

There's lots to discover at the Cotehele estate. Miles of pathways lead you through ancient woodland, past a historic chapel, and to an important Victorian quay.

Dog walkers at Lanhydrock, Cornwall

Dog-friendly places in Cornwall 

Discover miles of coast paths, countryside and woodland trails winding on your next dog walk in Cornwall. Stride out through the countryside and explore in the fresh air with your dog.