Dog-friendly castles with no restrictions

Dotted throughout the UK are an abundance of castles of all different shapes and sizes, from towering stone giants rising out of inky black moats to romantic clifftop ruins. These stalwarts of history, once symbols of wealth and defence, are now paw-inspiring attractions to visit with your pooch. With copious nooks and crannies for discerning hounds to sniff around, each provides the perfect dog-friendly day out to please both you and your four-legged friend. 

We’ve rounded up our favourite dog-friendly castles in the UK with no restrictions. And if you're looking for somewhere special to stay, why not take a look at our top castles for Corgis? The ideal accommodation for the more discerning pet.

The following castles welcome well-behaved canine companions inside and out; some just ask that your pet is kept on a lead. This list is correct at the time of writing, please check castle websites for up-to-date information for visitors with dogs.

Skip to:

• Dog-friendly castles in England
• Dog-friendly castles in Scotland
• Dog-friendly castles in Wales
• Additional dog-friendly castles
• Dog-friendly castles with some restrictions

Dog-friendly castles in England

There are a vast number of castles dotted throughout England and, happily for our furry friends, many of them welcome dogs in all areas. Some are dog friendly but have restrictions such as dogs being allowed in the grounds only – skip forward to our section on dog-friendly castles with some restrictions for more ideas. There are several castles, including Warwick Castle, where only guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are allowed; please check your chosen castle's website before visiting to avoid disappointment. 

Beeston Castle

Set atop a rocky crag with far-reaching countryside views, Beeston Castle is steeped in 4,000 years of history which you can discover through the fascinating 'Castle of the Rock' exhibition. Surrounded by a 40-acre woodland park, there’s plenty of space for walkies, and much to discover, including the replica Bronze Age roundhouse in the grounds.

The castle holds some intriguing mysteries, too. The castle well, 370 feet deep, is thought to be the place where Richard II hid his wealth of gold coins prior to leaving England for Ireland – to this day, this legend is unconfirmed! Climb to the top of the castle and you can gaze down into the well, where a demon is said to be guarding the treasure. True or not, it makes for an exciting visit to this dog-friendly castle.

Eastnor Castle

This magnificent castle prides itself on being super dog friendly. Not only are dogs welcome into Eastnor Castle itself, but there is also a dedicated ‘Dogs-Off-Leads Area’ and dog-waste bags are offered to owners at the entrance. Inside the castle, experienced guides share their knowledge on the opulent staterooms, while outside, the beautiful grounds encompass an arboretum and sparkling lake. 

There are specific open dates, as the castle is also used as a premium wedding venue – and what a fairy-tale location! Make the most of the days it's open to visitors, and enjoy events such as the ChilliFest, Easter family treasure hunt and more school-holiday family fun. At the entrance to Eastnor Deer Park, you'll find the Woodshed, a handy cafe with tasty treats to sustain you on your walks in the beautiful surrounding estate.

Kenilworth Castle

This dog-friendly castle is now a beautifully preserved set of ruins, where you can climb the tower and admire the views once seen by Elizabeth I, and feel the astonishing presence of the foreboding Norman Keep. Dogs will enjoy exploring the colourful Elizabethan Garden of Kenilworth Castle, with all its smells and neat pathways. 

Kenilworth Castle has endured a violent and rich history, with a fair sprinkling of royal scandal that makes a visit all the more thrilling. Built by Robert Dudley to woo Elizabeth I, it's easy to see how these ruins were once an elegant and salubrious home, an image brought to life in the exhibition in the Tudor Stables. Family-friendly exhibits tell the castle's story in an interactive and interesting format.

Ludlow Castle

The atmospheric ruins of dog-friendly Ludlow Castle are self-proclaimed some of the finest in England. Having started as a Norman fortress, the castle became a fortified royal palace and has even been the seat of the English Government in Wales. It retains its importance now, as a historic relic and a centre for all of Ludlow’s major annual festivals.

A packed programme of events makes Ludlow Castle more than just a historic landmark, however. Live music from top artists, and other fixtures make it a focal point for culture and the arts. The castle has undergone numerous renovations in recent history, not least the round chapel, which had a new roof and rebuilding work completed, making it a fabulous wedding venue and a sight to behold for visitors.

Powderham Castle

Unbelievably, Powderham Castle is actually now a beautiful family home, with centuries of interesting history to share. The castle is extremely dog friendly, your pooch is even allowed to accompany you on a guided tour of the stunning interior. The gardens are vast, and while dogs aren’t allowed in the Deer Park or the Walled Garden, they are free to enjoy walks in all other areas, including the picturesque Rose Garden and the American Garden.

Families will be keen to explore the Secret Garden Play Area and Pets Corner, where animals including a donkey, pot-bellied pigs, goats, guinea pigs, and sheep will delight visitors young and old. The fort-themed play area will bring alive the imaginations of children, while you can sit back and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of this attractive Devon castle.

Skipton Castle

Astonishingly well-preserved for a 900-year-old building, Skipton Castle stood strong through a 3-year siege during the Civil War. Nowadays, dogs and their owners can enjoy a peaceful exploration of the castle’s interior and exterior (except for the gift shop and restaurant), including the grand banqueting hall, the kitchen and interestingly, the bed chamber and privy!

Set off on a self-guided tour with the help of a tour sheet, packed with information about the castle to bring your visit to life. If the weather is good, continue your adventure into Skipton Castle Woods, through which meanders Eller Beck. It's a supremely peaceful spot for a dog walk and provides an important habitat for all sorts of flora and fauna, including several species of bat. We defy you to visit this tranquil spot without feeling relaxed and rejuvenated when you leave!

Totnes Castle

Picture a castle and it’s likely that an image of a motte and bailey springs to mind, and Totnes Castle is a pristine real-life example. Climb to the top of the dog-friendly castle with your pooch and drink in the beautiful views of the town of Totnes. There are plenty of dog-friendly cafes in the town for refreshments. 

The castle was constructed during the Norman Conquest, an impressive 900 years ago. Panoramic views across the valley and Dartmoor would once have been strategically important for warding off invaders. Arrow slits in the castle walls are a vestige of the structure's defensive purpose. In the bailey (courtyard), you'll find yourself in a grassy patch, sheltered by trees. It's an area which would have once been thronging with activity, you can now rest and relax here for a while - perfect for a sunny day excursion. 

Warkworth Castle

As dog-friendly castles in Northumberland go, Warkworth Castle is epic! The striking castle ruins were once the home of the Dukes of Northumberland and along with your four-legged friend, you can explore the cross-shaped keep, the Hermitage (0.5-mile walk plus a boat trip, only open on certain days), and the Duke’s Rooms (though these have restricted public access, so check before you go).

Learn about the lives of the people connected to the castle over the years by following the interactive sculpture trail on the grounds. An audio guide and information boards provide a comprehensive history delivered in an engaging way, making for a fun and educational visit.

Richmond Castle

Richmond Castle is the best-preserved Norman castle in England and its attractive ruins have been an inspiration to artists over the centuries, including J.M.W. Turner. You and your canine pal can relax in the now peaceful surroundings of the castle walls, looking out over the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

It is understandably one of North Yorkshire's most treasured historic landmarks and also encompasses a splendid garden, known as The Cockpit, which was created by contemporary landscape gardener, Neil Swanson, to reflect the castle's turbulent past. There are 16 topiary pieces on the upper terrace representing the 16 conscientious objectors who were imprisoned in Richmond Castle during World War I. The decision to include these in the castle's garden was strongly debated, and their presence today is the result of a public meeting in 2002 where it was decided they should remain.

Dog-friendly castles in Scotland

While there are a couple of completely dog-friendly castles in Scotland, there are also many which allow dogs in the grounds only and some where dogs are not allowed at all. We’ve picked a couple of dog-friendly castles in Scotland where dogs are allowed throughout. Have a browse of our Canine guide to Scotland for more dog-friendly inspiration in this beautiful country.

Castle Sween

Dunnottar Castle

Set atop a rocky outcrop, the ruins of Dunnottar Castle are wild and haunting, surrounded on three sides by the sea. You’ll definitely want to remember your camera, or at least have your phone handy because it offers spectacular views. Before your visit, you may want to brush up on some films in which the castle has featured, including Victor Frankenstein (2015), Hamlet (1990) and Mary Queen of Scots (2013).

The dog-friendly castle's marketing slogan is 'once seen, never forgotten', and we quite agree that having paid a visit to this enchanting location, it will stamp itself as an indelible memory in your brain. The sea stack has been inhabited since around 5,000 BC, and throughout history has witnessed numerous bloody and ruthless invasions and takeovers. The castle has housed a pet lion in what is now known as the Lion's Den; it has guarded the Scottish crown jewels, the Honours of Scotland; and has been visited by kings and queens. Its history is laid out waiting to be discovered on your visit.

Dog-friendly castles in Wales

There are more than 600 castles in Wales, and many of them are dog friendly, the perfect spots to enjoy a little slice of history while admiring their often idyllic locations on the Welsh coast, within the countryside and in town settings. For more dog-friendly attractions, take a look at our Canine guide to Wales. 

Beaumaris Castle

Beaumaris Castle was intended to be the piece de resistance of Edward I, but it was not to be, and as is often the case with flamboyant architectural projects, money dwindled and the build was abandoned. The resulting squat shape reflects the castle’s stunted growth, nevertheless, the dog-friendly castle is still an impressive structure, rising from its moat. 

The castle gets its name from the beautiful marsh, the 'beau mareys' on which it was constructed, and what a construction it is, despite its state of incompletion. Four concentric rings form its defences, with its spectacular moat adding another obstacle for prospective marauders to overcome. The castle nowadays is a hive of activity, particularly during school holidays when events aplenty are arranged to entertain families and their accompanying pups. 

Caerphilly Castle

If you’re looking for a dog-friendly castle in Wales, Caerphilly Castle is a fantastic choice – second only to Windsor Castle in size. The castle is surrounded by lakes, and much of it has been restored over the past 100 years, making it an impressive place to visit, and one which we’re sure your pooch will like too!

It was constructed by Marcher Lord Gilbert de Clare as an attempt to defend his position of control in Glamorgan. Its vast lakes and foreboding gatehouses must have been hugely intimidating for attackers, of which there were many. The south-east tower, pictured to the right of the photo above, now sits at a jaunty angle, probably due to subsidence. The Marquess of Bute is to be thanked for the reconstruction of the castle from 1928, so it's quite apt that a huge wooden sculpture of the man himself is what helps to hold up the toppling tower. 

Criccieth Castle

It’s hard to decide which is more spectacular: the romantic ruins of Criccieth Castle, or its inspiring coastal location. There’s a steep walk up, but if you’ve got stamina and an athletic four-legged friend, you’ll be rewarded with incredible panoramic views.

Classical painter, Turner, represented the castle in his moving works, and it has inspired artists and writers throughout the centuries. The castle has experienced invasion and has been in both English and Welsh hands at different points in history. Guided tours, storytelling and performances keep history alive in this enchanting seaside spot. 

Pembroke Castle

As you stand on the ramparts overlooking Milford Haven, it’s not difficult to understand why Pembroke Castle was built there, in a natural defensive position. It has some striking features, such as the circular rooms and the nearly 80-foot keep, as well as the gatehouse with its three terrifying portcullises. There are steps down to The Wogan cavern which lies beneath the castle and has numerous uses, now home to pipistrelle bats. 

Pembroke Castle's arguably most notable claim to fame is that Henry VII was born there, in the tower duly dubbed the Henry VII Tower. The castle's history is celebrated through interesting exhibits, and free guided tours by knowledgeable experts. Child-friendly as well as dog-friendly, Pembroke Castle's events include performances, family-fun days and even a 'knight school'!

Additional dog-friendly castles

We couldn’t fit all of the UK’s dog-friendly castles into one article, so here’s a list of some more fantastic castles which you and your pooch can explore to your heart’s content.

• Bolingbroke Castle, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 4HH

• Edlingham Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 2BW

• Maiden Castle, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 9PP

• Middleham Castle, Middleham, North Yorkshire, DL8 4QG

• Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4LP

• Restormel Castle, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0EE

• Scarborough Castle, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1HY

• Tantallon Castle, North Berwick, East Lothian, EH39 5PN

• Tintagel Castle, Tintagel, Cornwall, PL34 0HE

Dog-friendly castles with some restrictions

Besides all of the above dog-friendly castles with no restrictions, there are a huge number of castles where dogs are allowed, just limited to certain areas. Some have beautiful extensive gardens – a dog’s dream day out – others welcome dogs in lower levels of the buildings, but not on upper floors. Take a look at the selection below to see if any of them suit your requirements.

• Blackness Castle, Linlithgow, EH49 7NH

• Culzean Castle, Maybole, Carrick, Ayrshire, KA19 8LE

• Dover Castle, Dover, Kent, CT16 1HU

• Drumlanrig Castle, Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway, Thornhill, DG3 4AQ

• Dunvegan Castle, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, IV55 8WF

• Fort George, Ardersier, Inverness, IV2 7TD

• Harlech Castle, Harlech, LL46 2YH

• Hedingham Castle, Halstead, Essex, CO9 3DJ

• Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 2SH

• Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1RD

• St Mawes Castle, St Mawes, Nr Truro, Cornwall, TR2 5DE

For more dog-friendly ideas, take a look at our guides to the best days out with dogs and dog-friendly National Trust properties.

Map of dog-friendly castles

Find all of the above dog-friendly castles on the map below. Green indicates dog-friendly, blue indicates dog-friendly castles with some restrictions. Please check all castles' websites before you visit to make sure their dog-friendly status hasn't changed.

Planning a UK holiday?

We have a fantastic array of holiday cottages across the country, and while they may not be castles, they are worthy of kings and queens, and that includes the canine variety! Whether you’ve got two legs or four, everyone will enjoy a stay in one of our dog-friendly holiday cottages in some of the UK’s most desirable locations.

So, whether you’re looking for a base to explore the rugged castles of Scotland, or searching for the perfect romantic getaway in Cornwall (with a four-legged gatecrasher in tow!) look no further, because we’ve got a dog-friendly cottage for you. 

If you're really looking to give your pooch the royal treatment, we even have our own range of castles for canines to stay in. Check out all of our dog-friendly cottages across the UK by clicking the button below.