Visiting Holywell 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.

Holywell 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?

There are currently no restrictions on taking your dog on Holywell beach and there are plenty of footpaths to explore with your furry friend.

If you're venturing along the coastal paths, please watch out for cliff edges and grazing livestock. Please keep your dog under close control at all times.

Walking on the Kelseys and Cubert Common?

Please keep dogs on leads from March to September as there are ground nesting birds and sheep with lambs grazing. Dogs should be kept under close control the rest of the year as there are often cattle grazing.

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

What do I need to be aware of at Holywell?

Although rarely seen, adders can be common in the dunes, particularly in sunny weather. They are poisonous and can give your dog a nasty bite. If your dog is bitten, please seek immediate veterinary attention.

Facilities available for my dog

There are waste bins at Holywell car park for you to dispose of your dog's poo. A bowl of water and free poo bags are available at the car park hut when staff are present.

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.