England is home to many delightful gardens, especially during spring and summer. However, not all gardens allow dogs, even if they remain leashed. In particular, I’ve found many botanic gardens to not allow dogs. These are some of my favourite dog-friendly gardens that I’ve visited around England, and recommend for a colourful day out with your dog!
#1 Lyme Park, Peak District
Head to the delightfully dog-friendly Peak District to visit the equally dog-friendly Lyme Park. While dogs are not allowed inside the large mansion, they are welcome in the surrounding formal gardens and parklands, made famous as a setting for the 1995 BBC adaption of Pride and Prejudice.
A variety of gardens have been planted around the home. Follow the Lakeside Walk for beautiful views of the house across the lake, along with meadows of jonquils in spring. You can they continue along the Rhododendron Walk or head to the Rose Garden and the Orangery. The Italian Garden is also a highlight with its symmetrical layout.
When I visited Lyme Park during early May, the gardens weren’t yet at their best – a visit during the summer months is ideal. Dogs need to be kept on a leash in the formal gardens, but there are some parts of the estate where dogs are allowed off-leash – it includes a huge expanse of moorland! Dog waste bins are provided at various spots.
The best place to enjoy a meal at Lyme Park with your dog is the Timber Yard Cafe. Make use of the “doggy doorbell” to order when visiting solo, with the option to sit in the indoor “muddy paws seating area” during wet weather, complete with water bowls and snooze areas.
#2 Chiswick Gardens, London
You don’t need to leave London to visit the gorgeous Chiswick House and Gardens, which has recently been the setting for a number of scenes in the Bridgerton TV series. Best of all, the ornamental gardens that surround the house are dog-friendly and even have free entry!
Some of the gardens at Chiswick House are more formal, including the Italian Garden adjacent to the Conservatory and the enclosed Kitchen Garden, only open from Thursday to Sunday. Dogs should be kept on a short leash in both of these areas (up until recently they were not allowed in the Kitchen Garden), plus they are not allowed inside the actual Conservatory.
The rest of the gardens at Chiswick are less formal – enjoy a stroll past the lake and the cascade, enjoying lovely vistas of the Ionic Temple and multiple Obelisks, then explore the shady depths of “the Wilderness” – be warned it will be muddy after rain. Dogs are generally allowed off-leash, although keep them out of the fenced picnic area and off the cricket square.
The onsite cafe is popular with dog owners when the weather is fine – dogs are not allowed inside the cafe building and must be kept leashed on the terrace. There are waste bags provided at each gate, plus plenty of bins for dog waste throughout the grounds.
#3 Studley Royal Water Garden, near York
One of the best English landscape garden anywhere in England, and a dog-friendly garden as well, is the Studley Royal Water Garden, about 45 minutes northwest of York in the north of England.
These gardens were built in the 18th century as part of the Studley Royal estate, adjacent to the ruins of the 12th century Fountains Abbey, which fell into ruins following the Dissolution. These days the gardens and the abbey ruins have been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as a superb example of an English landscape garden.
The gardens make the best of their natural setting, plus the distant vistas of the abbey ruins. One of the most popular National Trust paid properties, dogs are welcome to join you on a long stroll through the gardens, although they should be kept on a short leash at all times.
Dogs are welcome to join you in the visitor centre and its restaurant. However, dogs are not allowed inside the Fountains Hall, Porters Lodge or the Studley Tearooms – plus be careful around the geese outside the tearooms! You can also enjoy a walk through the adjacent deer park.
#4 Prior Park Landscape Garden, Bath
Another well-known landscape garden in England is Prior Park Landscape Garden. Located on the outskirts of Bath, this garden is also run by the National Trust.
Prior Park Landscape Garden was constructed in the mid-18th century by local entrepreneur Ralph Allen, with influence from Alexander Pope and possibly help from Capability Brown. The natural-style garden sweeps down the slope below the Prior Park mansion (now a college), with its gorgeous Palladian Bridge the highlight.
The gardens are open daily most of the year, but only on weekends over the winter months. Spring is a wonderful time to visit – when I visited in late April the fields of wild garlic on the hillside and in the glades were enchanting. Dogs need to be kept on a short leash throughout the gardens, with water bowls provided near the kiosk.
With limited parking at the gardens (only a few accessible car spots), most visitors walk to the gardens from the centre of Bath – it’s about a mile long walk uphill from the train station, although the return walk from the exit at the bottom of the gardens is shorter.
To take in some interesting spots along the way, following these walking instructions, with the option to return via the Skyline Walk.
#5 Bath Botanical Gardens, Bath
Bath is home to many more fine gardens and parks, some right in the centre of town. Most of the parks and gardens are dog-friendly, including Royal Victoria Park, Sydney Gardens and Henrietta Park. (On the other hand, skip Parade Gardens and the Georgian Garden.)
My other top dog-friendly garden in Bath that I recommend that you don’t miss is the Bath Botanical Gardens, part of the larger Royal Victoria Park, with free entry. While many botanical gardens in England are off limits to dogs, in this botanical garden leashed dogs are allowed.
The gardens are located on the western edge of Royal Victoria Park, with the main entrance along the loop road, plus an extra gate connecting to the centre of the park. Dating to 1840, the gardens include a lake, a rock garden and a replica of the Roman Temple of Minerva. Don’t also miss the newer Great Dell section across the road, with its wooded paths and raised walkway.
#6 Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park, London
On the western edge of London is Richmond Park, a huge expanse of parkland measuring 2500 acres! While this royal park is most famous for its herds of deer, another gem deep inside the park is the Isabella Plantation.
This 40 acre woodland garden was established in the 1830s and first opened to the public in 1953. While also home to extensive plantings of rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias, this garden is best known for its beautiful azaleas.
The azalea flowers are at their best in late April and early May – when I visited in late early May they were already past their prime, but still spectacular. The garden is also home to ponds and some unusual trees and shrubs, so is still interesting to visit year round.
Dogs are welcome to join you on a leash inside Isabella Plantation. Also note that dogs should be leashed throughout the rest of the park during the deer birthing season, from 1st May to 31st July – there were plenty of signs during my visit. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed inside the gardens around Pembroke Lodge.
#7 Kensington Gardens, London
Another of the royal parks dotted across London is Kensington Gardens. While the adjacent Hyde Park may be larger and more famous, I found Kensington Gardens had more points of interest, including some beautiful gardens to visit with your dog.
At the northern edge of the park are the Italian Gardens, home to some lovely fountains and the start of the Long Water, that flows through the park. For a quiet walk I recommend meandering down the eastern side of the Long Water, past some rather wild meadows and the Arch sculpture, that draws your eye to the beautiful vista behind.
There are also two flower walks in Kensington Gardens – the North and South Flower Walk. Plus head to the western edge of the gardens to view the exterior of Kensington Palace and its gardens (although dogs are not allowed inside). Or just enjoy a stroll along the long tree lined vistas – I found the paths where bicycles were not permitted more enjoyable.
Dogs are allowed off leash throughout most of Kensington Gardens. Just leash your dog around the edge of the Round Pond, the Long Water and the Italian Fountains, and on the South and North Flower Walks. Dogs should also be kept out of the Long Water and Round Pond, plus off the popular Peter Pan statue.
#8 Whitehall Gardens, London
While walking to Embarkment station, I spotted a splash of colour from the corner of my eye, and couldn’t resist visiting Whitehall Gardens before catching the tube. While only small, these central London gardens were filled with exquisite beds of tulips when I visited in late April.
While of course the tulips don’t last year round, there are also equally colourful displays of other flowers throughout the spring and summer months. Plus year round, you can enjoy the statues that dot the park and the views of the historic Horse Guards building behind.
Dogs are allowed on leash in the gardens, and they’re worthy of a detour when visiting the centre of London or walking along Southbank with your dog.
#9 Pavilion Gardens, Brighton
Another small but beautiful garden to visit with your dog are the Pavilion Gardens in Brighton. While dogs are not allowed inside Brighton’s iconic Royal Pavilion, a sumptuous Regency royal palace built in the Indo-Saracenic style, you can admire it from the surrounding gardens.
The gardens are also home to the pavilion’s grand former stable blocks, now home to the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, and an adjacent majestic gateway. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you on a short stroll through the gardens. Just a few paths, the highlight is the stunning architecture.
I also recommend returning to the gardens or just the Royal Pavilion after dark, when the building is lit up by colourful floodlights.
You May Also Like
- Dog-Friendly Things to Do in England
- Dog-Friendly Days Out Around London
- Dog-Friendly Walks Around Bath
About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.