Europe’s largest conservation charity, The National Trust, is known for its historic properties, gardens, farmland and nature reserves. Naturally, it attracts dogs and their dog parents.
Dog parents can take their dog to many of the National Trust attractions and go for a dog walk in a beautiful heritage site and have a tea along with cake in one of the many cafes across the National Trust parks.
The National Trust owns more than 500 historic properties, 780 miles of coastline as well as nature reserves and more.
On dogs, the site states, “Planning a day out with the dog? We’ve got a huge variety of dog-friendly places for you to explore with your pooch, from the best walking spots to holiday cottages that welcome well-behaved dogs.”
Recently, pet gift site Petlandia ranked the top most dog friendly National Trusts in the UK.
Properties were scored points based on passing a series of dog-friendly criteria points such as 20 points for allowing dogs off-lead; then 10 points each for the following: allowing dogs at the property, allowing dogs in gardens; allowing dogs in woodland, allowing dogs in grounds, allowing dogs in restaurants, allowing dogs in restaurant courtyards, for providing dog bins, and for providing dog water.
The top 20 are listed below, their scores out of 100.
- Sheffield Park & Garden -East Sussex, England -100
- Erddig -Wrexham, Wales -80
- Lyme Park –Cheshire, England -70
- Kingston Lacy -Wimborne, England -60
- Croome Court –Worcester, England -60
- Petworth Park -West Sussex, England -60
- Lyveden -Aldwincle, Northamptonshire, England -60
- Plas Newydd House -Llanddaniel Fab, Wales -60
- Dunster Castle and Watermill -Dunster, Somerset, England -50
- Ormesby Hall -Ormesby, North Yorkshire, England -40
- Beningbrough -Hambleton, North Yorkshire, England -40
- Brodie Castle -Forres, Scotland -40
- Craigievar Castle -Alford, Scotland -40
- Mar Lodge Estate -Braemar, Scotland -40
- Lanhydrock -Bodmin, Cornwall, England -30
- Moseley Old Hall –Wolverhampton, England -30
- Wallington –Northumberland, England -30
- Bodnant Garden -Tal-y-Cafn, Wales -30
- Penrhyn Castle -Bangor, Wales -30
- Culzean Castle & Country Park -Maybole, Scotland -10
A representative from Petlandia said, “Here at Petlandia, we know how much people love their pets. Any dog-parent will tell you that a day-out with your dog is simply unbeatable.”
“We wanted to find the best days out for dog lovers everywhere, and with that in mind, we’ve compiled the best-dog days out for all the family,” the representative said. “Perfect for when you’ve got four more legs coming with you!”
Commentary
The British love their dogs, so it was only natural that the National Trust, with its over 500 historic properties across the UK, allows dogs in many of its sites. By visiting these parks with your dog, you are ticking multiple boxes by exploring what likely is an historic and beautiful site as well as walking your dog and creating lasting memories.
Rocky himself has visited quite a few of these sites and while not all of the National Trust sites are dog friendly, the ones that are ended up being very welcoming to Rocky. At these sites you will see well-behaved dogs on the leads sniffing around and enjoying the new sights and smells.