Visiting Killerton with your dog

Visitors walk their black pug dog through the autumn leaves — Dogs are welcome at Killerton | © James Dobson

With miles of paths and tracks to explore, dogs love walkies at Killerton. Find out the best dog-friendly walking routes and where they can run off the lead.

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.

Killerton 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 I take my dog at Killerton?

Dogs are allowed on short leads everywhere outside.
Assistance dogs only in historic buildings, including the interior and terrace of the Killerton Kitchen Café.
Dogs are welcome in the Stables Coffee Shop.
There are acres of parkland and woods where they can exercise off the lead whilst under close control, and enjoy all the smells, sights and sounds of the countryside.
Please note that dogs in doggy strollers and bags are permitted in the same areas as dogs on short leads, and are not permitted to enter the historic buildings or Killerton Kitchen Café.

When should I use a lead?

Dogs must be kept on a short, fixed lead everywhere within the pink boundary line shown on the map below.
Once you are in the parkland they can be off the lead – these areas lie outside the pink boundary line.
Please ensure that your dog is under close control at all times and look out for seasonal signs advising you where livestock is present.

A map of the dog facilities and on lead areas at Killerton — Killerton Dog Map | © Boxall Graphic Design

What facilities are available for dogs?

Killerton is a dog-friendly place, and your four-legged friend is bound to get lots of fuss when you pass through visitor reception.
We have water bowls and dog waste bins situated around the site, as well a doggy rinsing station in the car park for a quick hose down after a delightfully muddy walk.
Our picnic tables have tether points, to allow you to picnic without the need to juggle your dog’s lead.
Time for a treat? Doggy ice cream is available from the Stables Coffee Shop, and you’ll find a great range of products for dogs, including walking accessories, toys, and treats in our shop.
There’s plenty of walking routes available from the Top Trails section of our website, from short strolls to wild adventures.

Dog treats and accessories in the Killerton shop, Devon. — Everything for your pampered pooch in the shop at Killerton, Devon | © Darcy Willett

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