Visiting West Runton and Beeston Regis Heath 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.

West Runton and Beeston Regis Heath is a one pawprint rated place.

Dogs are welcome here, but facilities are limited. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.

Where can my dog go at West Runton and Beeston Regis?

Dogs are welcome throughout West Runton and Beeston Regis Heath. Whether you walk on the heaths or in the woods, you and your dog will have a terrific time exploring and finding new things to see.

What do I need to be aware of at West Runton and Beeston Regis?

Adders

Please keep an eye out for adders between February and November – you might see them basking in the sun, especially early in the day. 

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. Please be sure to check yourself and your dog for ticks after your walk.

Ground nesting birds

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

Outside of the breeding season, please always keep your dog under control and in sight, and make sure that it stays away from wildlife, livestock and horses. If in doubt, please put your dog on a lead.

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

Facilities available for my dog

There are bins for dog waste along the main path and in the main car park. Alternatively, please take your dog's waste home with you and dispose of it there.