Animals on the estate

Bringing animals to the estate

Dumfries House estate is free to enjoy for everyone — including four-legged friends of our visitors.

Between the hours of dawn and dusk, we positively encourage visitors to enjoy free of charge the woodland and gardens as well as (with mainly younger guests in mind) our Adventure Playground and Engineering Playground.*

Dogs

When accompanied by a dog, visitors are asked to stick to a few simple guidelines out of respect for fellow members of the public, our staff, and the livestock on our working farm.

We welcome dogs:

• whose owners pick up their mess
• who always remain on a short lead or close at heel in all areas of the estate
• who stay calm around fellow visitors and our farm animals

While access to indoor settings is not permitted for pets, visitors to The Coach House Café can dine with their dogs on the outdoor terrace.

Horses

Prior to visiting Dumfries House estate with a horse, strict protocol requires visitors to supply The Prince’s Foundation with a copy of public liability insurance. To plan your visit, please email Louise McClounie at louise.mcclounie@dumfries-house.org.uk

Routes for horses to proceed — at walking pace — across the estate are restricted to the road and footpath network. We do not have any bridle paths or specific treks. Riders are asked to limit their speed — strictly no trotting or cantering — and to be mindful that the estate can be really busy at certain times of the year.

Riders are requested to take care of their own safety and that of their horses as well as pedestrians and fellow road users. They should also be mindful that a working farm operates on the estate, and it is therefore essential not to disrupt any ongoing land management operations or livestock grazing.

All horse droppings are to be lifted and removed and disposed of appropriately.

Transportation such as horse boxes must be parked carefully at the rear of the main estate car park and, when parked, must not block the car park entrance or exit or any gateways.

*Please note that donations are requested for access to The Queen Elizabeth II Walled Garden and The Maze, and that dogs are not permitted to enter The Maze.