Top campsites near country estates
Andrew Ditton takes a look at three Club campsites which are on or adjacent to a country estate
View campsitesTop Walks with your dog near National Trust sites
Being surrounded by lush open spaces and vast greenery helps you and your faithful four-legged friend to de-stress, as visiting new places is an excellent source of mental and physical stimulation for dogs, as well as ourselves.
We’ve sniffed out some of the UK’s most stunning National Trust locations with fabulous dog walks, that are just paw-fect for you and your pooch. Put on your comfiest walking shoes, grab a lead and head on out to your next outdoor adventure with your furry companion.
Located in Lode, a small village in East Cambridgeshire, Anglesey Abbey is a Jacobean-style house with glorious gardens, 114 acres of the great outdoors and a historic working watermill. There’s a particularly popular 2 mile dog-walk route on easy terrain, which would make it ideal for families. The walk is short but varied and gives you lovely views of Lode Mill, the ancient watercourse, as well as a short stretch of a long-closed railway line and village houses.
Photo on the hills over Ullswater, Lake District by David Stirling, near Troutbeck Head Club campsite
Set in the county of Cumbria, Aira Force is one of the most famous and most visited waterfalls in the Lake District. Surrounded by woodlands and glens, you can access the waterfall from a variety of footpaths and even by ferry from Glenridding. Beside the walk that passes up the glen is a Wish Tree, where visitors hammer coins into it for good luck and good wishes.
The poet William Wordsworth took inspiration from the area with its beautiful scenery and tranquil atmosphere and you and your furry friend can make special memories too, from splashing through the streams to red squirrel spotting, Aira Force is the perfect place to explore on four legs or two.
Stay at Troutbeck Head Club campsite
Photo of Borrowdale, Lake District by Amanda Prescot, near Borrowdale Club campsite
Head to another part of the Lake District to the area of Borrowdale and Derwent Water, where you can view the spectacular and varied lakeland landscape.
Pack up a picnic and head to Thorneythwaite, a beautiful walk through hay meadows and wood pastures, before discovering a hidden valley as well as the perfect picnic spot by the cascading waterfall. Or take your pooch on a midnight stroll for a short walk on Friar’s Crag, an enchanting location for stargazing as well as some wildlife spotting.
Stay at Borrowdale Club campsite
Nestled in the dramatic Herefordshire hills, Brockhampton was traditionally a farmed estate and a medieval manor house dating back to the 14th century.
Your pup will be in doggy heaven with its 687 hectare farmed estate and a rich variety of nature as well as historic farming breeds such as Hereford cattle and Hebrides sheep, although always keep your dog on a lead so it doesn’t startle or chase the wildlife! Dogs are also welcome in the courtyard, through the orchards and around the outside of the manor house itself.
Stay at Moorhampton Club campsite
Photo of Pepsi by Hadrian's Wall, Tyne & Wear by Beverley Williams
The iconic Hadrian’s Wall is steeped in history and surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Walk in the footsteps of the Romans, with your favourite fur-ball beside you, as you explore the World Heritage site. There are a number of walking routes to choose from, with the popular 5-mile Sycamore Gap circular walk that takes you from the visitor centre to the Roman fort and then along the Roman wall footpath. There’s also an 8-mile circular walk from Housesteads Fort to Steel Rigg which lets you explore one of the richest parts of the country for Roman archaeology.
Stay at Nunnykirk Club campsite
With over 300 acres of beautiful ancient parkland to explore, tails will be wagging at the fantastic walks on offer at Dunham Massey. Straddling the Greater Manchester and Cheshire border, Dunham Massey offers visitors a very green escape with plenty of open space, seasonal flower displays, thriving wildlife and hundreds of years of history.
Dogs are welcome on a short lead within the gardens and grounds and within the deer park, but if they’d prefer a scamper off lead, head up to the North Park where they can roam free.
Stay at Royal Vale Club campsite
Photo of Max on Barafundle beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales by Jamie Issac-Holland
Escape to the Western edge of Wales with your four-legged friend and discover the Stackpole Estate, part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which consists of four and a half square miles of awe-inspiring cliff-top views, tranquil woodlands, wildlife-rich lily ponds and award-winning sandy beaches.
Check out the dog-friendly Barafundle beach, which has been listed as one of the top 12 beaches in the world, as well as the “best beach in Britain'', and with its swathes of golden sand and crystal clear waters, it’s easy to see why. You can also enjoy other coastal walks at St David's Peninsula, Solva coast and Abereiddi to Abermawr.
Stay at Freshwater East Club campsite
Photo of Barney in front of Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire by Christopher Wilcox
Located 3 miles southwest of Ripon in North Yorkshire, Fountains Abbey is one of the largest and best-preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in England. Founded in 1132, the abbey operated for over 400 years before being dissolved by Henry VIII.
The charming gardens add to the quintessentially English feel at this World Heritage site to complement the ancient great abbey and the elegant water garden. With acres of land to explore, Fountains Abbey is a wonderful op-paw-tunity for a day out with your dog. There are plenty of places to discover and some lovely long walks to enjoy through the gardens, abbey and deer park.
Stay at Knaresborough Club campsite
Photo of Sissinghurst Castle, Kent by Paul Barnes
Sissinghurst Castle in Sissinghurst, Kent has one of the most fascinating and diverse histories, including the astonishing time it was a prison in the 1700s or when it was home to the women’s land army.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden was created by Vita Sackville-West a poet and writer, along with her husband Harold Nicolson, author and diplomat, who fell in love with the place and wanted to build a refuge dedicated to beauty. It is considered amongst the most famous gardens in England and is designated Grade 1 on Historic England’s register.
Don’t miss the vast panoramic views from the top of the Tower and the working farm. There are also more than 450-acres across the wider estate for you and your doggie companion to explore, with lakes to jump into and wide-open fields, they’ll never want to leave!
Stay at Bearsted Club campsite
St. Agnes Head is steeped in history and folklore and is also home to rare heathland and important seabird colonies. The mining that occurred in and around St. Agnes shaped the landscape, economy and society of the village, which is still apparent today. You can still access the ruins of the mines, explore the harbour where ore was shipped and coal was received and visit the magnificent houses of the mine owners.
The official parish of St. Agnes stretches 10 miles inland from the coast, across rolling hills and encompasses the surfing hotspot of Porthtowan, Mithian (said to be one of the oldest villages in Cornwall) Mount Hawke (the picturesque valley up from Porthtowan) and finally, Blackwater the small village at the gateway to the area. Head out on exploratory doggie walks in this fascinating location, recognised as a World Heritage site.
Stay at St. Agnes Beacon Club campsite
Photo of the Jurassic Coast, Devon by Val Haslam
The beautiful coastal town of Salcombe is considered one of the prettiest towns in South Devon and is located within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Known for its sweeping coastal views and rolling surrounding countryside, Salcombe is a perfect walking retreat for you and your dog.
Follow parts of the famous South West Coast Path and enjoy the fantastic views of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site cliffs.
Discover the dramatic coastline and walk from East Soar, around the jagged rocks at Bolt Head, through the valley to see the impossibly blue turquoise waters of Starehole Bottom. Or grab a ball and let your furry friend zoom across miles of golden sand at the beautiful Salcombe North Sands beach.
Stay at Start Bay Club Campsite
