Best walks with dog-friendly cafés

Three dog walkers sat around a circular picnic table with two terrier-type dogs on the ground. — Dog walkers enjoying the grounds at Lyme Park, Cheshire | © National Trust Images/Joanne Crawford

Find somewhere to rest and refuel with your dog after enjoying a walk. Here's a selection of great walks with dog-friendly cafés along them, so you can both enjoy a refreshing drink and a delicious treat.

Arlington Court, Devon: The Chichesters, who owned Arlington Court for 11 generations, were a family of dog lovers. Today, dogs on leads are welcome in the carriage museum and gardens, and can explore off-lead on the wider estate outside lambing season. There are benches in the tea garden and an indoor seating area, where you can rest and refuel together. The tea-room sells homemade dog treats.Explore Arlington with your dog
Birling Gap, East Sussex: Enjoy a bracing walk with your dog along the shore or up on the clifftops between Belle Tout and Lookout Hill, where customs officers used to keep watch for smugglers. After your coastal stroll, stop off at the café for a warm drink and slice of cake. Dogs on leads are welcome in the visitor centre, shop and parts of the café, and there’s outside seating for busy days.Explore Birling Gap with your dog
Castle Ward, County Down: With acres of countryside and woodland to explore, there are endless opportunities for your dog to bound, sniff and splash at Castle Ward. When kept on leads, they're welcome across the estate and in the garden, and there's a designated off-lead dog exercise field near the main car park. After your walk, stop off at the Stableyard tea-room, where you and your dog (on a lead) can enjoy some refreshment.Explore Castle Ward with your dog

Two visitors walking their dogs on leads along a path through the autumnal woodland at Wallington — Visitors walking dogs through the woodland at Wallington | © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire: Exploring the 3,800 acres of natural woodland with your dog is a great way to experience Clumber Park. Amble through fields and woods in some of the quieter corners of the estate, then take in views over the lake before heading to the dog-friendly café, Central Bark. There are water bowls and dog toys to play with inside, as well as dog treats.Explore Clumber Park with your dog
Lyme, Cheshire: Dogs are welcome in all areas of the 1,400-acre park and garden and in the house cafés on a short lead. Plus, there are designated areas to run off-lead too. After your walk, head to the Timber Yard Café and ring the doggy doorbell for one of our team members, who'll pop out and take your order. You can settle in the Muddy Paws indoor seating area and borrow a blanket or water bowl.Explore Lyme with your dog
Rowallane Garden, County Down: Explore the Pleasure Ground, stroll through the Walled Garden and wander through woodland at Rowallane Garden with your dog – they are welcome on a short lead. Once you've stretched your legs, you can both enjoy something tasty at the café in the designated dog-friendly zone. There's also plenty of room outside in our tea garden to sit with your dog when the weather allows.Exploring Rowallane Garden with your dog
Stackpole, Pembrokeshire: Admire sea views and spot wildlife on a six-mile walking route at Stackpole. Most of the coastal path is also farmland, so dogs should be kept on a lead – especially around livestock. They can have a good run and explore off-lead on the beaches though. Refuel at the Boathouse tea-room, currently open at weekends, where there's outside seating for you and your dog to relax.Explore Stackpole with your dog

A man sitting at a cafe table with two large dogs — A visitor and his dogs enjoy refreshments in a dog-friendly café | © National Trust Images/Tony Cobley

Stourhead, Wiltshire: Dogs are welcome on Stourhead’s wider estate all year round and can explore the gardens at certain times. Try the five-mile walk through woodlands to King Alfred’s Tower, where Alfred the Great is said to have rallied his troops in 878. Relax afterwards in the visitor reception café's outdoor area, or the Spread Eagle Inn courtyard. There are water bowls for thirsty dogs.Explore Stourhead with your dog
Trelissick, Cornwall: The Trelissick estate has miles of woodland and open parkland walks for dogs and their owners to explore. A four-mile route follows the River Fal, with scenic views over the estuary. Head to the café afterwards for a warm drink and slice of cake, and some homemade dog biscuits. The outside courtyard area is dog-friendly, with water bowls and sheltered seating.Explore Trelissick with your dog
Wallington, Northumberland: Enjoy a day out with your dog at the Wallington estate, where you can explore anywhere outside with them on a lead. Take a tranquil walk along the banks of the River Wansbeck, crossing bridges and stepping stones. When you're ready to head back, the Clocktower Café has plenty of outdoor seating and water bowls, as well as homemade treats for hungry dogs.Explore Wallington with your dog

A lady and her dog walking out of a doorway in woodland at Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria

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

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