The Castle Rolls
Dog-friendly castles.
49 castles where visitors have said, in their own words, that they brought a dog along - drawn from publicly available Google reviews across every operator and all four nations, not just one region or one heritage body's own list.
England - 28
Barnard Castle
County Durham
“…you can have a good long visit. It is dog friendly as long as you keep on the lead so feel free to bring your…”
Photo: Worldfootage, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Beeston Castle
Cheshire
“…sk and plenty of places to sit and eat. Dogs are welcome on a lead.”
Photo: TCExplorer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Berry Pomeroy Castle
Devon
“…ly walks for our dogs. We we're able to take the dogs into everywhere. Lovely cafe, friendly staff. We had a free…”
Burgh Castle Roman Fort
Norfolk
“…car park for keen explorers. Extremely dog friendly, free entry, definitely worth a visit!”
Photo: Ashley Dace, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Castle Acre Castle and Bailey Gate
Norfolk
“…forests all pretty easy level walking, dog friendly, not wet for us but would be during winter months. We retur…”
Photo: Richard Humphrey, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Castle Drogo
Devon
“…h the visit. As most trust properties...dog friendly except the house. Fantastic views and walks around the subs…”
Photo: Stanleykswong, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Castle Rising Castle
Norfolk
“…glad I brought a sling for my toddler. Dogs were allowed in (and found a pigeon so they had a great time. Deffinetly…”
Photo: Elliott Brown, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Cromwell's Castle
Cornwall
“…iew. Good hiking to the castle as well. Dog friendly.”
Photo: Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Dartmouth Castle
Devon
“…shop, independent tearoom and toilets. Dogs on leads are welcome. Interactive displays will help keep younger visitors engag…”
Photo: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Eastnor Castle
Herefordshire
“…s. Castle is good to have a look round. Dog friendly with one area where no leads needed. Nice walk round the la…”
Photo: Philip Pankhurst, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Etal Castle
Northumberland
“…out. The place is well maintained, very dog friendly and I would imagine a lovely place to picnic in warmer mont…”
Photo: Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Framlingham Castle
Suffolk
“Great half day out. Dogs welcome everywhere, except for cafe counter area. Nice opportunity…”
Photo: Evan Fetherolf, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Goodrich Castle
Herefordshire
“…was surprising as it was half term. Our dog was also welcome in the Castle and he had doggy ice cream from the cafe.”
Photo: Scribwik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Grimsthorpe Castle
Lincolnshire
“…rk & gardens, not the castle/house. All dog friendly on a Sunday, not during the week though apparently. Blue li…”
Photo: Wehha, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Hurst Castle
Hampshire
“…next to it, you can spend there hours. Dogs are very welcome on the whole area including the ferry. Car park in Keyheave…”
Photo: Ian Stannard from Southsea, England, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
King Charles's Castle
Cornwall
“…stle. Great hike to the castle as well. Dog friendly.”
Lowther Castle
Cumbria
“…the car park for some suggested walks. Dog friendly too, except the kids play area. Will definitely be back! Ca…”
Photo: fuji.tim, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Ludgershall Castle and Cross
Wiltshire
“…s. No other onsite facilities but it is dog friendly. Not spectacular, but very moody on the foggy day I visited…”
Photo: David McCalmont, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Lulworth Castle
Dorset
“…. Cafe, gift shop, toilets, completely dog friendly, ample car parking on site. Would advise checking for even…”
Photo: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Newark Castle
Nottinghamshire
“…for a picnic during clement weather . Dog friendly ( Always pick up after your dog ). No toilets on site or r…”
Photo: Stephen Ostler, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Old Wardour Castle
Wiltshire
“…without bumping into too many visitors. Dogs were allowed and many visitors take their pooches along who were all ver…”
Photo: Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Powderham Castle
Devon
“…ative. I would recommend visiting, plus dogs are allowed in the house which is unusual as most don't allow. The gift…”
Photo: Davepark, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Prudhoe Castle
Northumberland
“…about possibly scheduling tours inside. Dogs are welcome on the grounds. Peaceful.”
Photo: Hadrianus1959, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Sandal Castle
West Yorkshire
“…antastic views from the top. Nice walk, dog friendly place. Cafe on site with toilets for customers. Very small…”
Photo: Abcdef123456 at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Sherborne Old Castle
Dorset
“…a visit for all the family and you can bring your dog.”
Photo: Mik Peach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Sutton Valence Castle
Kent
“…ite. Free entry, no parking on site but dog friendly. Mote and bailey castle ruins situated in a quaint village…”
Photo: Ukiws, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Northern Ireland - 1
Scotland - 10
Balvaird Castle
Perth and Kinross
“…t and easy walk for most visitors. It’s dog-friendly, family-friendly, and best of all - free to visit. Tip: Vi…”
Photo: Billbowery, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Craignethan Castle
South Lanarkshire
“…eautiful, a hidden gem. Great place to take the children and dogs allowed to as long as they are on the lead. We will defini…”
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Supergolden assumed (based on copyright cla, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Crathes Castle
Aberdeenshire
“…for all day parking. The gardens aren't dog friendly, but the rest of the estate is.”
Photo: Lucas Kendall, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Duffus Castle
Moray
“…ely worth a look if you’re in the area. Dog friendly too.”
Photo: itmpa, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Kelburn Castle
North Ayrshire
“…taff. Sat outside and had an ice cream. Dog friendly gardens, we had our dog with us. Don't know if you can go i…”
Photo: Raibeart MacAoidh, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Melville Castle Hotel
Midlothian
“…ety of choices quite soon. The hotel is dog friendly and at meal times were kept to one specific dining room. W…”
Photo: Shani Evenstein (שני אבנשטיין), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Smailholm Tower
Scottish Borders
“…ck about dogs. I would like to say that dogs are allowed on a lead outside the Tower. Although you can't take dogs i…”
Photo: Taken by User:Supergolden, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Stonefield Castle Hotel
Argyll and Bute
“…nu a bit limited. Excellent breakfasts. Dog friendly in the truest sense - the staff enjoy having the dogs too!…”
Photo: Anne Burgess, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Wales - 10
Beaumaris Castle
Isle of Anglesey
“…ly spend all day exploring the grounds. Dog friendly but they are only allowed on the ground level. As the steps…”
Photo: Traveler100, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly
“…esting with some really nice views. The dog was allowed in the grounds and lower levels including the various rooms…”
Photo: Balon Greyjoy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Caldicot Castle
Monmouthshire
“…stle and the parking are free. It's all dog friendly with plenty of bins. Even if the car parks appear full, dri…”
Photo: Dominic Nelson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Carew Castle & Tidal Mill
Pembrokeshire
“…antastic value for money. And...you can take dogs throughout. And......a lovely café. All round great spot”
Photo: JKMMX, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Chirk Castle
Wrexham
“…rdens. Staff were friendly and helpful. Dog friendly but must be kept on tight lead (provided) in gardens. Very…”
Dinefwr Castle
Carmarthenshire
“…steep, but worth walk up. Carpark good. Dogs allowed.”
Photo: Daniel Phillips, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Harlech Castle
Gwynedd
“…it's smaller, it's no less impressive. Dogs allowed on the ground floor and one way system around the walls. Ca…”
Photo: Pymouss, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Oystermouth Castle
Swansea
“…ming, and it’s great to see it being so dog-friendly as well. You can walk around the castle walls and take in…”
Photo: Len Williams, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Tretower Court and Castle
Powys
“…u can walk all around inside the tower. Dog friendly apart from the upper level of the house but the amazing lad…”
Upton Castle
Pembrokeshire
“…drons look fantastic this time of year. Dog friendly throughout.”
Photo: David Medcalf, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped
Where this list comes from
Every castle here is included because a real visitor said so in a Google review, not because we rang up and asked. If reviews conflict - one visitor says dogs are welcome, another says they weren't allowed - we leave the castle off rather than guess. If somewhere you know is dog-friendly isn't here, it likely just means nobody's mentioned it in their review yet, not that dogs aren't welcome - corrections and tip-offs are always welcome.
Always check before you travel
Policies change, and "dog-friendly" often means the grounds rather than the building itself - several of the quotes above say exactly that. Check the castle's own page (linked from every entry) or call ahead, especially if it's a long drive.