Visiting Godolphin with your dog

Dog on a lead at Nostell Priory in West Yorkshire — Dog at Nostell Priory in West Yorkshire | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Godolphin’s estate covers over 500 acres and includes woodland, fields, open countryside and garden, so there’s plenty of places for you and your dog to explore. Find out below what you need to know for you and your dog to get the most from your visit, such as where your dog can (and can't go) and where to find water bowls.

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.

Godolphin 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?

Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome everywhere within Godolphin’s garden and outbuildings, including the tea-room.

Dogs must also be kept on a lead on the farmland of Godolphin estate, including the fields and Godolphin Hill, due to livestock grazing. Unfortunately, we have received an increased number of incidents of dogs chasing, worrying, injuring, and killing livestock over the years. This causes immense stress on the animals, famers, staff, and people witnessing. Please read and comply with the signage asking you to keep your dog on a lead when walking around the farmland at Godolphin estate.

Dogs under close control are welcome in the woods, along the River Hayle and around Great Work Mine area.

Where can’t my dog go?

The only place your dog can't go is inside the House and the King's Room. Assistance dogs are welcome in these areas.

Visitor and their dog sit next to each other on a large rock, enjoying the countryside view — Visitor and dog enjoying the view | © National Trust Images/Hilary Daniel

Pooch Passport

From 1st September 2024 until 28th February 2025 your furry friend can have their very own pooch passport! 111 properties including Godolphin are taking part, pick up your free passport from Visitor Reception on arrival.

Collect 6 stamps from participating properties and receive a bag of treats from Forthglade. Visit 12 properties and get a further prize!

View terms and conditions here.

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.

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

Visitors walking their dog in the parkland at Calke Abbey, Derbyshire — Visitors walking their dog in the parkland | © ©National Trust Images/John Millar

What facilities are available for my dog?

A water bowl is available outside the Piggery tea-room and the Welcome Hut.

A dog waste bin can be found opposite the Welcome Hut. There are also dog waste bins in nearby villages, less than 2 miles away, at Godolphin Cross and Townshend. We are not looking at installing any new dog poo bins at Godolphin as we are prioritising funds towards conservation work, improving habitats at Godolphin for nature and wildlife to thrive.