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Dog-friendly days out in North West England

32 castles, gardens, hillforts and attractions in North West England with their dog rules, plus 7 parks and walks. Where a place doesn't allow dogs, we say so.

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Dogs welcome

  • Wildlife · Near Kirkbride

    Finglandrigg Woods NNR

    Dogs: Dogs are allowed, but keep them on a lead at all times to protect ground-nesting birds and red squirrels.

    “You should keep your dog on a lead at all times.” Their page

  • Wildlife · Drumburgh

    Drumburgh Moss Nature Reserve

    Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a lead.

    “Dogs On a lead” Their page

  • National Trust · Whitehaven

    Whitehaven Coast

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome all along the coast. Keep them on short leads when wildlife is present and at all times from March to July.

    “Dogs are welcome all along the Whitehaven Coast ... Please keep your dogs on short leads whenever wildlife are present and at all times between March and July” Their page

  • Wildlife · Near Seascale

    Hallsenna Moor NNR

    Dogs: Dogs are allowed. From 1 March to 31 July, keep your dog on a short lead.

    “From 1 March through to 31 July, keep your dog on a short leash.” Their page

  • Attraction · Boot

    Eskdale Mill

    Dogs: Friendly, well-behaved dogs are welcome at no extra cost. Keep them under control and clean up after them.

    “Friendly, well-behaved dogs are welcome at no extra cost. We ask that you keep them under control in all areas and clean up after them.” Their page

  • English Heritage · Barrow-in-Furness

    Furness Abbey

    Dogs: Dogs on leads are allowed.

    “Dogs on lead allowed, assistance dogs welcome.” Their page

  • English Heritage · Barrow-in-Furness

    Bow Bridge

    Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

    “Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.” Their page

  • English Heritage · Piel Island

    Piel Castle

    Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome. The island is reached by a small ferry from Roa Island that English Heritage does not run.

    “Dogs : Dogs on leads are welcome.” Their page

  • National Trust · Near Barrow-in-Furness

    Sandscale Haws NNR

    Dogs: Dogs are allowed in all areas. Keep them close or on a lead from March to July for nesting birds, and away from the pools.

    “Dogs are allowed in all areas here, but please consider that Sandscale Haws is a National Nature Reserve ... Between March and July, please keep your dog close to you or on a lead to stop them from disturbing nesting birds” Their page

  • Wildlife · Walney Island

    North Walney NNR

    Dogs: Dogs are allowed. From 1 March to 31 July, dogs must be on a short lead of no more than 2 metres.

    “From 1 March through to 31 July, ground-nesting birds breed at North Walney. In order to minimise disturbance to these birds all members of the public are required to keep their dogs on a short lead (of no more than 2 metres) during these months” Their page

  • National Trust · Newby Bridge

    Fell Foot

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome in every part of the park except the children's play area. Keep them on a lead in the parkland, on the lakeshore paths and in the café; they can go off lead in the south meadow when cattle are not grazing.

    “Dogs are very welcome in every part of the park, except the children's play area. ... Please remember to keep your dog on a lead in the parkland, along the lakeshore paths and in the café.” Their page

  • Railway · Haverthwaite

    Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway

    Dogs: Well-behaved dogs travel free, but not on the seats.

    “We welcome well behaved dogs, who can travel for free, but not on seats!” Their page

  • National Trust · Arnside

    Arnside Knott

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome. Keep your dog under close control by your side or on a short lead.

    “Please keep your dog under close control by your side or on a short lead.” Their page

  • National Trust · Silverdale

    Eaves Wood

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this woodland walk. Keep them on a lead around livestock.

    “Dogs on welcome, but please keep on a lead around livestock.” Their page

  • Wildlife · Witherslack

    Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve

    Dogs: Dogs are allowed on a lead.

    “Dogs On a lead” Their page

  • National Trust · Heysham

    Heysham Coast

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome. Keep your dog under close control by your side or on a short lead to protect birdlife.

    “You can help keep birdlife safe on the Heysham Coast by keeping your dog under close control by your side or on a short lead.” Their page

  • National Trust · Formby

    Formby

    Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are welcome everywhere. Keep them under close control, and use a lead if you are unsure.

    “Well-behaved dogs are welcome to explore everywhere with you. Please keep your dog under close control ... If you're unsure, it's always best to keep your dog on a lead.” Their page

  • Attraction · Southport

    Adventure Coast Southport

    Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads at all times.

    “Yes – we're one of the few dog-friendly theme parks in the UK. We welcome well-behaved dogs but ask that they're kept on leads at all times.” Their page

Dogs in some areas only

  • Castle · Ravenglass

    Muncaster Castle

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome in most areas, but not inside the castle or the Hawk and Owl Centre. The Sky Hunters display on The Flying Meadow has a dog seating area.

    “Dogs are welcome at Muncaster however they are not allowed inside the castle or Hawk & Owl Centre.” Their page

  • Railway · Ravenglass

    Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome on the steam trains for £5 and in most areas, on a short lead. They are not allowed in premium carriages or on special events unless stated.

    “Dogs are welcome in most areas, please ensure they are kept on a short lead. ... Regrettably, dogs ( except assistant dogs) are not permitted in our premium carriages.” Their page

  • Museum · Ravenglass

    Ravenglass Railway Museum

    Dogs: Only guide dogs are allowed inside the museum. There is a dog station with dog parking and water outside, and dogs are welcome in outdoor spaces.

    “Guide Dogs only are permitted within the Museum. There is a 'Dog Station' outside with Dog parking and water, and dogs are welcome on R&ER trains and outdoor spaces.” Their page

  • Wildlife · Near Rampside

    Foulney Island

    Dogs: Dogs are allowed outside the bird breeding season. From 1 April to 15 August, no dogs except assistance dogs are allowed on the island.

    “Dogs permitted During the bird breeding season (1 April – 15 August), access is restricted to designated paths and Slitch Ridge is closed. No dogs (except assistance dogs) are allowed on the island at this time” Their page

  • Garden · Cark

    Holker Hall and Gardens

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome everywhere except inside the Hall. Keep them on leads at all times.

    “Dogs are very welcome everywhere at Holker, except inside the Hall. We kindly ask that they are kept on leads at all times” Their page

  • Garden · Levens

    Levens Hall

    Dogs: Only assistance dogs can go in the house, gardens, Levens Kitchen and Gift Shop. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the Levens Kitchen Terrace, in the Howard Room and in the courtyard areas outside the shop and kitchen.

    “We regret that dogs, with the exception of assistance dogs, are not permitted in the House, Gardens, Levens Kitchen or the Gift Shop. ... Well-behaved dogs welcome on Levens Kitchen Terrace and in the Howard Room.” Their page

  • National Trust · Near Kendal

    Sizergh

    Dogs: Dogs on a lead are welcome in the shop, café, wild play area and on the wider estate. Only assistance dogs can go in the house and formal gardens.

    “We love dogs at Sizergh, and they are welcome on a lead in the shop, café and wild play area, as well as on the wider estate. ... Only assistance dogs are allowed in the house and formal gardens.” Their page

  • English Heritage · Finsthwaite

    Stott Park Bobbin Mill

    Dogs: Dogs on short leads are welcome in the grounds, but not on the guided tour inside the mill.

    “Dogs are not permitted on the guided tour inside the mill. Dogs on short leads are welcome in the grounds.” Their page

  • Attraction · Lytham

    Lytham Hall

    Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the café and courtyard and can be off lead on the lawns and woodland walks. No dogs in the Kitchen Garden, Animal Hub or by the Pheasant Coop, and only assistance dogs at outdoor productions.

    “No dogs are allowed at any time in the Kitchen Garden, Animal Hub or by the Pheasant Coop. Well behaved dogs can be off-lead on the south, east and north lawns (to the front and sides of the Hall) and through the woodland walks.” Their page

  • Country park · Lytham St Annes

    Fairhaven Lake

    Dogs: Dogs must be on a lead at Fairhaven Lake and kept out of enclosed outdoor play areas.

    “Fairhaven Lake: Keep your dog on a lead ... Enclosed outdoor play areas: Keep your dog out” Their page

  • Wildlife · Southport

    RSPB Marshside

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome on the reserve on leads, but only assistance dogs can go in the hides.

    “Dogs are welcome on the reserve, but must be kept on leads. Assistance dogs only in hides.” Their page

  • National Trust · Liverpool

    Speke Hall

    Dogs: Dogs on short leads can explore the open garden and grounds, but not the hedge maze, play areas or the house (the main Speke Hall page also excludes the kitchen garden and Giant Childe of Hale trail, so check before you go).

    “Dogs on short leads can explore all areas of the garden and grounds that are open. ... Dogs are not allowed in the hedge maze, gated play area, woodland play area or inside the house.” Their page

No dogs

  • Wildlife · Walney Island

    South Walney Nature Reserve

    Dogs: No dogs are allowed except assistance dogs.

    “Please stay on the way marked paths. No dogs (except assistance dogs).” Their page

  • Wildlife · Burscough

    WWT Martin Mere

    Dogs: Pet dogs are not allowed on site. Only trained assistance dogs are allowed.

    “Unfortunately we can't allow dogs or pets of any kind on site, with the exception of trained assistance dogs, as our wildlife may become distressed.” Their page

Parks and walks

  • Park or walk · Haverigg / Millom

    RSPB Hodbarrow Nature Reserve

    Dogs: Anywhere on the reserve, on a lead.

    “Dogs are allowed anywhere.” Their page

  • Park or walk · Arnside

    Arnside Knott

    Dogs: Under close control.

    “Dogs welcome under close control.” Their page

  • Park or walk · Silverdale

    Eaves Wood

    Dogs: Under close control.

    “Dogs welcome under close control.” Their page

  • Park or walk · Silverdale

    Jack Scout

    Dogs: Under close control.

    “Dogs welcome under close control.” Their page

  • Park or walk · Heysham

    Heysham Coast

    Dogs: Under close control or on a short lead.

    “Dogs are welcome here, but facilities are limited.” Their page

  • Park or walk · Lytham

    Lytham Hall parkland

    Dogs: Parkland, woodland and the café courtyard, on a lead. Not the house or kitchen garden.

    “we continue that tradition of welcoming responsible dog owners.” Their page

  • Park or walk · Formby

    Formby pinewoods and dunes

    Dogs: Under close control. Follow local signs.

    “Well-behaved dogs are welcome to explore the site with you.” Their page

We list a place only when its own website (or the charity or council that runs it) states its dog rule, and we quote and link to that page. Places that don't allow dogs are listed too, so you don't make a wasted trip. Rules can change, and some depend on the season, so check before you go.