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Dog-friendly days out in Northern Ireland

31 castles, gardens, hillforts and attractions in Northern Ireland with their dog rules, plus 2 parks and walks. Where a place doesn't allow dogs, we say so.

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Dogs welcome

  • National Trust · Bushmills

    Giant's Causeway

    Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome in the outdoor spaces, throughout the Visitor Centre including the cafe, and on guided tours.

    “Dogs on leads are welcome in the outdoor spaces, throughout the Visitor Centre, including the cafe and on guided tours.” Their page

  • National Trust · Castlerock

    Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne

    Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome in all outdoor areas, including the clifftop garden, arboretum and mansion ruins. Keep dogs on a lead at all times as cattle graze here.

    “Downhill Demesne is fully dog-friendly. Dogs on leads are welcome in all outdoors areas, including the clifftop garden, arboretum and mansion ruins. ... Please keep your dog on a lead at all times whilst on Downhill Demesne.” Their page

  • Forest · Near Ballycastle

    Ballypatrick Forest

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome but must be kept under proper control, especially near sheep grazing areas.

    “Visitors with dogs must keep their pets under proper control in the forest and especially so when walking near to sheep grazing areas.” Their page

  • Forest · Glenariff

    Glenariff Forest Park

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome in the forest but must be kept under control. Use a lead in signed areas or if Forest Service staff ask you to.

    “If you bring your dog to a public forest, you must: ... keep your dog under control ... keep your dog on a lead in areas where dogs must be kept on leads” Their page

  • Country park · Belfast

    Cave Hill Country Park

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome on the park paths. Cattle graze here, so keep dogs on a short lead, but let your dog off the lead if cattle approach.

    “There are cattle grazing in Cave Hill Country Park. When you're in the park: keep to pathways ... keep dogs on a short lead if cattle approach, let your dog off the lead” Their page

  • Garden · Belfast

    Botanic Gardens

    Dogs: Dogs must be on a lead in all Belfast council parks, and one person can have no more than four dogs.

    “If you have a dog, you must keep it on a lead in public places in Belfast. This includes when you visit our parks and opens spaces. ... In our parks, you must not have more than four dogs in your control at one time.” Their page

  • National Trust · Belfast

    Minnowburn

    Dogs: Dogs on a lead are welcome, particularly in fields where livestock graze.

    “Dogs welcome on a lead, particularly when entering fields where livestock are grazing” Their page

  • Wildlife · Near Portaferry

    Ballyquintin Nature Reserve

    Dogs: Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times, as livestock and ponies graze the reserve.

    “part of the site management is grazing by livestock and ponies so either leave dogs at home or keep them on a lead at all times” Their page

  • Forest · Bryansford

    Tollymore Forest Park

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome in the forest but must be kept under control. Use a lead in signed areas or if Forest Service staff ask you to.

    “keep your dog under control ... put your dog on a lead if a member of Forest Service staff asks you” Their page

  • Forest · Rostrevor

    Rostrevor Forest

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome in the forest but must be kept under control. Use a lead in signed areas or if Forest Service staff ask you to.

    “If you bring your dog to a public forest, you must: ... keep your dog under control ... keep your dog on a lead in areas where dogs must be kept on leads” Their page

  • Wildlife · Near Limavady

    Binevenagh Nature Reserve

    Dogs: Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times, as livestock and ponies graze the reserve.

    “part of the site management is grazing by livestock and ponies so either leave dogs at home or keep them on a lead at all times” Their page

  • Boat trip · Ballycastle

    Kintra Boat Tours

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome on board but must be on a lead at all times.

    “Dogs are welcome on board but must be kept on a lead at all times.” Their page

  • Ferry · Ballycastle

    Rathlin Island Ferry

    Dogs: Dogs travel free but must stay on a lead on the ferry and on Rathlin Island. Dogs other than guide dogs may be asked to travel on the outer deck.

    “Yes dogs are welcome and travel free but please note that they must remain on a lead at all times whilst on board the ferry and on Rathlin Island. Passengers with dogs other than guide dogs may be asked to travel on the outer deck.” Their page

Dogs in some areas only

  • National Trust · Ballintoy

    Carrick-a-Rede

    Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome outdoors and indoors, including the Weighbridge Tearoom. Dogs cannot cross the rope bridge.

    “Dogs on leads are welcome, both in outdoor and indoor areas, including within the Weighbridge Tearoom. Dogs are not permitted to cross the rope bridge.” Their page

  • Castle · Glenarm

    Glenarm Castle and Garden

    Dogs: Dogs on a short lead are welcome in the Walled Garden, woodland and other outdoor areas, with a bookable off-lead Dog Park. There is a dog-friendly area at the Tea Room, but dogs cannot go inside the main Tea Room (the accessibility page says dogs are not allowed in indoor venues including shops, so check before you go).

    “Visitors are welcome to take leisurely strolls with their dogs through our award-winning Walled Garden, tranquil woodland areas, and other designated outdoor spaces across the estate. ... Dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times when walking around the estate (except within booked Dog Park sessions).” Their page

  • National Trust · Newtownards

    Mount Stewart

    Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome in the pleasure grounds, woodland walks, courtyard, shop and the covered outdoor tea-room area, with an off-lead exercise area by Car Park 2. Only assistance dogs in the house and the indoor tea-room.

    “Dogs on leads are welcome in the pleasure grounds, woodland walks, courtyard, shop and tea-room in the covered outdoor area. ... Assistance dogs only in the house. In the indoor part of the Tea-room only assistance dogs are allowed.” Their page

  • National Trust · Saintfield

    Rowallane Garden

    Dogs: Dogs on a short lead are welcome in the garden, woodland, house and café dog zone, with an off-lead exercise field. Dogs are not allowed on the farmland or in the play dens and equipment.

    “Dogs are welcome in the house and café. In the café you will find a designated dog friendly zone ... Dogs are not permitted on the farmland.” Their page

  • National Trust · Strangford

    Castle Ward

    Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome across the estate, garden and Stableyard Tea-room, with an off-lead field near the main car park. Only assistance dogs in the house (the same page says dogs are welcome in the shop and also that the shop is assistance dogs only, so check before you go).

    “Dogs on leads are welcome across the estate, in the shop, garden and in the Stableyard Tea-room. ... Only assistance dogs are permitted in the house and shop.” Their page

  • Castle · Dundrum

    Dundrum Castle

    Dogs: Dogs on a lead are allowed at the open site under the Historic Environment Division policy, but not in visitor centres, enclosed roofed structures or hazard areas. Do not leave dogs unattended.

    “Visitors' dogs will be permitted at all HED properties and sites subject to the exceptions listed below. ... Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and should not be left unattended” Their page

  • National Trust · Dundrum

    Murlough National Nature Reserve

    Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome across the reserve, but grazing areas and ground-nesting bird sections are out of bounds. In July and August dogs are not allowed on the Blue Flag part of the beach.

    “Dogs on leads are welcome across the Nature Reserve. However, please beware of animal grazing areas and ground nesting bird sections of the reserve, these will be out of bounds for your dog.” Their page

  • Forest · Castlewellan

    Castlewellan Forest Park

    Dogs: Dogs are welcome but must be under control at all times. They are not allowed in the Play Park or the Peace Maze, and must be on a lead in the caravan park.

    “Dogs are welcome at Castlewellan Forest Park but must be kept under control at all times. Dogs are not permitted in the Play Park or Castlewellan Peace Maze.” Their page

No dogs

  • Castle · Near Bushmills

    Dunluce Castle

    Dogs: Only assistance dogs are allowed. Dunluce Castle is on the Historic Environment Division list of sites where pet dogs are not permitted.

    “Sites where dogs are not permitted (with the exception of assistance dogs) ... Dunluce Castle” Their page

  • Castle · Carrickfergus

    Carrickfergus Castle

    Dogs: Only assistance dogs are allowed. Carrickfergus Castle is on the Historic Environment Division list of sites where pet dogs are not permitted.

    “Sites where dogs are not permitted (with the exception of assistance dogs) ... Carrickfergus Castle” Their page

  • Zoo · Belfast

    Belfast Zoo

    Dogs: Pet dogs are not allowed. Only registered assistance dogs can visit.

    “Dogs are not allowed in Belfast Zoo. We only allow registered assistance dogs to enter the zoo.” Their page

  • Museum · Belfast

    Titanic Belfast

    Dogs: Pets are not allowed. Only assistance dogs can visit.

    “No pets or animals except for assistance dogs” Their page

  • Attraction · Helen's Bay

    Greypoint Fort

    Dogs: Only assistance dogs are allowed. Greypoint Fort is on the Historic Environment Division list of sites where pet dogs are not permitted.

    “Sites where dogs are not permitted (with the exception of assistance dogs) ... Greypoint Fort” Their page

  • Attraction · Newtownards

    Newtownards Priory

    Dogs: Only assistance dogs are allowed. Newtownards Priory is on the Historic Environment Division list of sites where pet dogs are not permitted.

    “Sites where dogs are not permitted (with the exception of assistance dogs) ... Newtownards Priory” Their page

  • Attraction · Millisle

    Ballycopeland Windmill

    Dogs: Only assistance dogs are allowed. Ballycopeland Windmill is on the Historic Environment Division list of sites where pet dogs are not permitted.

    “Sites where dogs are not permitted (with the exception of assistance dogs) ... Ballycopeland Windmill” Their page

  • Wildlife · Portaferry

    Exploris Aquarium

    Dogs: Pets are not allowed. Only guide dogs and hearing dogs can visit.

    “No pets or animals except for guide dogs and hearing dogs.” Their page

  • Wildlife · Comber

    Castle Espie Wetland Centre

    Dogs: Pet dogs are not allowed anywhere on site. Only trained assistance dogs can visit, on a lead.

    “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

  • Castle · Warrenpoint

    Narrow Water Castle

    Dogs: Only assistance dogs are allowed. Narrow Water Castle is on the Historic Environment Division list of sites where pet dogs are not permitted.

    “Sites where dogs are not permitted (with the exception of assistance dogs) ... Narrow Water Castle” Their page

Parks and walks

  • Park or walk · Castlerock / Downhill

    Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple

    Dogs: All outdoor areas, on leads.

    “Dogs on leads are welcome in all outdoors areas, including the clifftop garden, arboretum and mansion ruins.” Their page

  • Park or walk · Cushendun

    Cushendun (National Trust)

    Dogs: On leads.

    “All dogs are welcome on lead , including Assistance Dogs.” 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.