Visiting Felbrigg with your dog

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.

Felbrigg 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 Felbrigg?

Dogs are welcome almost everywhere on the Felbrigg estate. The only places they can't go are the house and the formal gardens, which include the West Garden and the Walled Garden. You can even bring your dog with you into the Squire's Pantry while you enjoy a cream tea, and into the shop while you have a browse.

Facilities available for my dog

Please help keep this a beautiful place by being responsible and clearing up after your dog. You’ll find dog bins in the main car park, the satellite car park and at the beginning of the Victory V walk. There are poo bags available in reception if you've misplaced yours.

Water bowls are dotted around the main visitor areas to help keep your dog hydrated. If it’s a hot day, please don't leave your dog in the car – there are plenty of shady spots on the estate to sit or walk.

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.

What do I need to be aware of at Felbrigg?

Signs will indicate where sheep and cattle are grazing. In the unlikely event of cattle chasing you, it’s safer to let your dog off the lead.

Ticks and Lyme disease

Ticks are tiny, spider-like creatures found in woodland and heath areas. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks.

Ground-nesting birds

Between 1 March and 31 July, dogs must be kept on a lead throughout Felbrigg Estate. This is to protect ground-nesting birds that call Felbrigg their home.

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