Visiting Quarry Bank with your dog

A happy dog in winter — Collie in winter | © Annapurna Mellor

Dogs are welcome at Quarry Bank, and with more than 400 acres of woodland and countryside to explore, there are plenty of opportunities for bounding, jumping, sniffing and splashing.

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.

Quarry Bank 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 Quarry Bank?

Dogs are welcome at Quarry Bank but must be kept on a lead in the Mill Yard, garden, Styal village, woodlands and countryside as well as on footpaths through the main visitor areas.
Dogs on leads are welcome to join you if you are visiting the Upper Garden Café.
Dogs are welcome at Visitor Reception, the Upper Garden shop, the Mill Yard Shop, Upper Garden Shop, Pre-Loved Bookshop, and the Village Hub.
Only assistance dogs are permitted inside the Mill, Quarry Bank House, the Apprentice House, Village Hub, Workers Cottage Weaving Shed Restaurant.
There are four great walks around the Quarry Bank estate that are ideal to explore with your dog all year round. They take anywhere from 20 minutes to two and a half hours to complete. For more information, speak to a member of the Visitor Reception team.

Top tips for an enjoyable dog-friendly visit

Please help to keep the countryside a safe, healthy, and enjoyable place for you and your dog, other visitors, wildlife and livestock by following this guidance:

When approaching fields with grazing cattle, please put your dog on a lead, for the safety of all animals.
The river current can be very strong, so please watch out if your dog is taking a dip to cool off and be mindful of fish and other aquatic wildlife.
Please ensure that all dog waste is removed by using the dog waste bins across the estate, or alternatively take your dog waste home with you.
Follow our Canine Code to make sure everyone visiting Quarry Bank with or without a dog has an enjoyable day.

Dogs at Quarry Bank, Cheshire — Dog walking at Quarry Bank | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

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.