Visiting Uppark 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.

Uppark 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?

Uppark House and Garden is set on top of the South Downs ridge with woodland and meadows to explore as well as nearby Harting Down. Dogs are very welcome at Uppark, however please read this article before your visit to ensure everyone enjoys their time here.

• We welcome dogs in all outside areas at Uppark, however dogs are not allowed in the house, café or second-hand bookshop, unless they are assistance dogs
• Dogs are allowed on all walks.

Facilities available for my dog

Water bowls are provided outside the café. There are dog-waste bins by visitor reception and by the South Meadow.

Want to stretch your legs?

There is a woodland area near the car park for you to explore. Please keep your dog on a lead here as the pathways intersect with the two main driveways, and pheasants roam freely.

The south meadow is a great place to stretch your dog's legs, and yours. With mown pathways through the meadow, you can wander right into its centre and take in views of the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth. You'll also discover a terrific view of the house, perfectly situated on top of the hill.

As Uppark is enjoyed by many and we work closely with farmers to graze livestock on the land, we ask that you abide by the following rules to ensure the safety of you and your dog, and other visitors to Uppark.

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