Visiting Dyffryn Gardens 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.

Dyffryn Gardens 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 and they must remain on a short lead at all times. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.

Where can my dog go at Dyffryn Gardens?

We welcome dogs to almost everywhere within the gardens except the two log stack play areas and inside the Glass House. Dyffryn House is currently closed to the public as well as any four-legged visitors.

Our shop and Gardens Cafe happily accept dogs inside and both sell dog treats such as, woofins, biscuits and doggy ice cream. You can have a post-walkies cake and warm-up and so can your canine. 

We have fully accessible routes around the gardens so Dyffryn is a great place to bring your dog if you are using a buggy, wheelchair or mobility scooter. 

What facilities are available for dogs?

We have water bowls at our cafe and Welcome Centre, we also often give out a free little welcome treat to our canine visitors. There are regular bins throughout the gardens where you can dispose of any dog waste. 

Our National Trust shop sells a small range of dog products including toys and bowls. 

What do I need to be aware of?

We have lots of wildlife living in our gardens and not every visitor is fond of dogs so we ask that they're kept on a short lead at all times. 

You are also advised not to leave your pet in the car, the car park offers very limited shade.

Please speak to our Welcome Team if you require more information.

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.