Discover more at Wallington
Find out when Wallington is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Visiting Wallington with your dog
We love dogs at Wallington and they’re more than welcome to visit all year round. Find out what facilities are available for dogs and what you need to be aware of when you’re walking your dog at Wallington.
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.
Wallington 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. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.
Where can my dog go?
Wallington is a large outdoor property and there are miles of walks to explore. Dogs are welcome in almost all the outdoor areas including the woodland, along the River and Farm walks and in the walled garden. Dogs are also allowed inside the Clocktower Café and shops.
Where can't my dog go?
Dogs are not allowed in the play areas or house. Only assistance dogs are allowed in these areas. There is also a separate area within the upstairs of the cafe where dogs are not permitted (the Pipers Room).
What do I need to be aware of at Wallington?
You must keep your dog on a lead at all times when visiting to avoid disturbing the wildlife and the grazing livestock on the tenant farms.
Dogs and livestock
- Be aware that walking with a dog may make the livestock show more interest in you
- Always keep your dog on a lead when passing through areas with livestock
- Never allow your dog to worry livestock, which can involve chasing or attacking them
- Leave as much space as you can between your dog and the animals
When you encounter livestock, don’t worry too much about sticking to the line of the path, give them room.
If you are threatened by cattle, it’s safer to let go of your dog’s lead. Your dog is likely to run away to safety and meet you further along the path. Don’t risk getting hurt by trying to protect your dog, for example by picking it up. The cattle may still try to get to your dog as they think it is the threat.
Facilities available for my dog
You'll find water bowls in the courtyard and outside the visitor welcome area. There are litter bins for your dog’s waste in the courtyard and at the entrance to the East Wood. You can buy doggy treats in the café and shop.
Pooch Passport
If you're planning a visit with your dog(s), why not pick up a Pooch Passport on your next walk? Collect stamps from participating places, including Wallington, on your days out and your dog(s) will receive a special treat from our partners at Forthglade.
What is the Pooch Passport?
The National Trust has created the Pooch Passport in partnership with natural pet food maker Forthglade, so your dog(s) can walk their way towards a special treat while visiting some of the top dog-friendly places in our care.
Pick up a Pooch Passport from participating places and every time you visit a different place together between 1 September 2024 and 28 February 2025, you can collect a stamp.
When is the Pooch Passport scheme running?
The Pooch Passport is valid from 1 September 2024 to 28 February 2025. Any stamps collected before or after these dates will not be valid for the treat(s).
Collecting stamps
You and your dog(s) can collect stamps from 111 participating places in our care across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For full details including Terms and Conditions, visit Pooch Passport scheme terms and conditions | National Trust
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
Our partners
We've partnered with natural pet food maker Forthglade so that you and your dog can get even more out of the special places we care for.
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