Visiting Erddig with your dog

A dog with curly hair sits on a stack of wood next to a colourful toy train and a '50 things' sign at Erddig, Clwyd — A dog sits beside a '50 things' display at Erddig | © National Trust Images/Vicki Coombe

Exploring the acres of parkland at Erddig with your four-legged friend is a great way to enjoy the beautiful landscape, and well-behaved dogs are welcome. Find out how to make the most of your visit with your dog on the estate at Erddig.

What's available at Erddig for dogs?

Erddig is the perfect place for you and your dog to enjoy a fun-filled day, with plenty of areas for them to explore and play. With a two pawprint rating, you’ll be able to take your dog into most areas, though not everywhere.

Tea Garden, Midden Yard and Parlour: You and your dog are welcome to explore the tea garden and Midden Yard. You can also visit the parlour for tea, coffee, and cakes, with seating available both indoors and outdoors.
Book Shop: Feel free to explore the book shop with your dog, where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a book together.
Stables, Garages and West Front: Bring your dog along to visit the stables and garages. Then, wander over to the West Front area, where you can relax on the grass and enjoy the views of the wider estate.
Estate Walks: Explore the scenic 1,200-acre estate with your dog. Pick up a map and choose from four walking routes, including a 1-mile route for smaller dogs and a 3.5-mile route for larger dogs.
Off Lead: If you’re confident in your dog’s off-lead behaviour, you can follow the green route near Felin Pulston, which is chosen for off-lead walking.
Historical Sites: Explore the remains of the Norman motte and bailey castle with your dog by following the orange route. You can also visit the unique cup and saucer waterfall by taking the green route.
House, Garden, Restaurant, Shop and Play Area - Please note that dogs are not permitted inside the house, garden, hayloft restaurant, or the Wolf’s Den natural play area. The only exception to this policy is registered assistance dogs.

Pooch Passport

We’re excited to announce our participation in the National Trust’s brand-new Pooch passport program.  

Every time you and your furry friend visit a new National Trust location, you'll get a stamp for your Pooch Passport. Collect six stamps and your dog earns a free packet of natural dog treats. After twelve stamps, they'll receive a stylish snood. 

Start planning your visits today. Find out the other properties taking part here: https://bit.ly/3MAQ7q5

Visitors walking through the sheltered valley at Lockeridge Dene and Piggledene, near Marlborough, Wiltshire — Tails will be wagging | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Walking near grazing animals

Our parkland is home to tenant farmers with a variety of livestock which could be grazing anywhere on the estate fields. We also have an abundance of wildlife that needs protecting. To prevent incidents and attacks to livestock and wildlife dogs must be kept on their lead, unless in our designated ‘off-lead area’ where they must still be kept under close control. Remember, even small friendly dogs can unintentionally scare sheep.

Pick up a free ‘Dogs at Erddig’ leaflet from our Ticket Office for a map of the best walking routes and to locate our ‘off-lead’ area.

Assistance dogs at Erddig

Dogs assisting visitors with disabilities are welcome inside the house, gardens, restaurants and shops. For more detailed access and facilities information visit our home page.

Dog bins

Please clean up after your dog and dispose of any 'waste' in the dog bins provided. Bins are located just outside the tea garden on the path down to the cup and saucer;one on the other side of the estate by the Felin Puleston car park; one on the Erddig road entrance to the estate; and a normal Wrexham County Borough Council litter bin at Sontley car park.

Little dog sat with tongue out looking excited to try the tub of Scoop's Ice Cream for Dogs being held by a girl at Dunster Castle, Somerset — Keeping cool | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Top tips for an enjoyable dog-friendly visit at Erddig

Watch out for wildlife

The parkland is home to two tenant farmers with a variety of livestock and the estate is home to lots of wildlife. In areas where there is lots of wildlife, we ask you to keep your dog on a lead so that they feel safe.

Watch out for local notices

There may be restrictions in woodland or farmland at sensitive times of year, for example during the lambing season.

Forgotten the essentials?

We’ve always got a few spare dog poo bags at our visitor welcome office, so if you find you’ve forgotten them, pop over and we’ll be happy to give you a few to help keep our parkland clean and safe for others to enjoy.

Want to avoid the crowds?

The busiest times of day are generally between 11am and 2pm – you’ll also find increased visitor numbers during school holidays and on days where we have events. The estate walks are generally less busy, so if you’d like a peaceful stroll, why not explore these routes, or use alternative car parks at Felin Puleston and Sontley.