Dogs at Woodchester Park

A small dog on a lead with autumn leaves on the ground at Croome, Worcestershire — Dog walking at Croome | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Exploring the acres of parkland with your dog is a great way to enjoy the landscape of Woodchester Park, and all well-behaved dogs are very welcome. Find out everything you need to know about making your visit an enjoyable one for you and for all.

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.

Woodchester Park 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?

Woodchester attracts thousands of dog walkers every year and most of the waymarked routes around the park are perfect for a walk with your four-legged friend. Dogs are also welcome to explore with you at Tinkley Gate, and are welcome to join you in the outdoor and some indoor seating at the cafe.

Some younger visitors can be scared of dogs so please don’t allow your dog on the play equipment.

Help us to keep Woodchester special for all visitors and wildlife by remembering to clear up after your dog. There are dog waste bins around the site.

Where leads are essential

Dogs must be on a short lead and under close control along more sensitive areas such as the play trail and on the tracks through fields of grazing sheep and cows. It’s a criminal offence to allow your dog to chase livestock and could lead to fines and prosecution.

Long leads are perfect on woodland tracks where there are no grazing animals.

Dogs must be kept on leads and under control at all times at Tinkley Gate.

Facilites for my dog

Dog bins can be found in Buckholt and Tinkley Gate car parks, as well as at the bottom of the drive into the park near the mansion and when entering the park from Tinkley Gate.

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating of the cafe, as well as some of the indoor space. Water bowls are available at the cafe, as well as dog biscuits so they can have a treat too!

A dog on lead is sitting on the grass beside its owners — Dog sitting down | © Catriona Corrigan

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