Where will you go next with your dog?
From walks for the whole family to quiet spots to enjoy with your dog, find a walk everyone will love.
Dogs are welcome around Mount Stewart and the Ards Peninsula, and with acres of coast, countryside and woodland to explore there are plenty of opportunities for bounding, jumping, sniffing and splashing.
Dogs are welcome here, but facilities are limited. They’ll be able to stretch their legs in the car park and walk in the nearby open spaces, depending on the season. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.
Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula is a one pawprint rated place.
From 1st April and 1st August access is not permitted on ALL breeding seabird islands including those that are not cared for by the National Trust. Most islands on Strangford Lough will have signs that provide access guidance.
Dogs to be kept on a lead in the immediate vicinity of the car park and village, on the coastal walks a dog’s under control policy is adopted BUT no dogs are permitted within the coastal grazing plots when cattle are present. When cattle aren’t present the gates are all left open inviting walkers/dog walkers to vary their coastal walk through the grazing enclosures with dogs under control. When the grazing plots are ‘in use’ there is still a path that enables walkers to walk parallel to the shore but on the outside of the stock fence.
Access for dog walkers is on the road to the car park, the track from the car park to the Look Out hut overlooking the National Nature Reserve and through one field that is within a sign-posted walk, it is accessed over stiles and links the farm road to the Port Kelly Road. If there is a bull in this field then this is advertised and visitors are requested not to enter the field. If there are only cows in the field then dogs are permitted but must be under control.
Access is permitted along the edge of the field to the viewing point where dogs must be under control. Access to the rest of the farmland at Bar Hall is not permitted other than along way-marked paths.
Please ensure that you maintain close control over your dog, keep them within your sight at all times and ensure that your dog will respond immediately to your recall.
Please ensure that you maintain close control over your dog, keep them within your sight at all times and ensure that your dog will respond immediately to your recall. However there is no access permitted to the farmland at Orlock at any time of year.
All walkers are requested to avoid crossing to ‘The Island’ during the autumn and winter to avoid disturbing wintering waterfowl. Please ensure that you maintain close control over your dog, keep them within your sight at all times and ensure that your dog will respond immediately to your recall.
Dogs are permitted within the field under control when cattle are not present. When cattle are present the entrance gates off the caravan park road and coastal footpath are locked and walkers/dog walkers are not permitted on the site.
If the field gates are open, dog walkers may use these sites with their dogs under control. If the gates are shut then cattle are present or an arable crop has been sown and visitors are requested to stay off the islands diverting their walk to the mudflats and shoreline.
When cattle are present no dog walkers are permitted within the stock-fenced areas. When livestock are absent please ensure that you maintain close control over your dog, keep them within your sight at all times and ensure that your dog will respond immediately to your recall.
Access to the shore from Greyabbey car park, Sloe bushes car park, Islandview & Community Hall woodlands and Skillen’s Wood is discouraged during the autumn and winter due to the presence of large numbers of wintering waterfowl. Please ensure that you maintain close control over your dog, always keep them within your sight and ensure that your dog will respond immediately to your recall. If walking on the mud flats dogs must be on lead.
Please ensure that you maintain close control over your dog, keep them within your sight at all times and ensure that your dog will respond immediately to your recall especially when cattle are present.
In the north dogs should be under control at all times as there is intermittent cattle grazing. At the south end of the ponds, access is permitted but we ask that visitors maintain close control over their dog.
At some locations you will find water taps and dog waste bins.
We’ve worked with our partner Forthglade to come up with this Canine Code, which helps to make sure everyone can enjoy their day:
Our definition of close or effective control is:
Please do not leave your dog in your car unless you are quickly popping in to use the facilities. On a warm day the car park becomes very hot. If a dog is left in the car and appears distressed our policy is to inform the USPCA.
From walks for the whole family to quiet spots to enjoy with your dog, find a walk everyone will love.
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.
With water bowls, hitching posts and plenty of ground to cover, the places in our care aren't just for history-loving hounds. The sandy beaches and woodland trails on offer are a dog-walker's dream. From dog exercise areas to dog-friendly accommodation, discover a slice of canine heaven when visiting with your four-legged friend.
If you’re bringing your dog(s) to the places we care for, you'll find information on our pawprint rating system and the Canine Code to help plan your visit.
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