Photo: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Dog-friendly days out in Kent
Plenty of Kent attractions say they welcome dogs, but the detail matters. Some let dogs into the grounds but not the house, some onto the trains but not the dining car, and a few go further than you might expect: Canterbury Cathedral allows well-behaved dogs on short leads inside the building, and Hever lets them on the rowing boats.
Every pick below is dog-friendly, and we have noted the limits so nobody gets turned away at the door. The National Trust estates of West Kent are especially good for a long walk with lunch.
Then finish at a pub that has thought about four-legged guests. All four pubs here are WH Pubs, which are featured partners on the site, and each earns its place with a dog menu or dog treats.
Big walks and estates
Room to stretch out, with a café or tea room for afterwards.
Image: KnoleKnole
Knole has been an archbishop's palace, a royal residence and the Sackville family home, and sits within Kent's last medieval deer park on the edge of Sevenoaks. Tour the showrooms and climb the Gatehouse Tower, or simply walk the 1,000-acre park where a wild deer herd roams. Allow half a day for the house, or an hour or two for a park walk.
Why it's here: A 1,000-acre medieval deer park with a wild deer herd, open dawn to dusk. Dogs must stay on a lead in the park and are not allowed indoors.
Image: Bedgebury National Pinetum and ForestBedgebury National Pinetum and Forest
Bedgebury is Forestry England's National Pinetum, a world-leading collection of over 12,000 specimen trees set among the lakes and valleys of the High Weald near Goudhurst. Wander the pinetum on foot, cycle or mountain bike the forest trails, or let children tackle the play trail. With a cafe at the visitor centre, it can easily fill a day.
Why it's here: Over 12,000 specimen trees and miles of forest trails, with well-behaved dogs welcome even in the visitor centre atrium. Café seating is dog-free.
Image: Ightham MoteIghtham Mote
Ightham Mote is a moated medieval manor house tucked into the countryside near Sevenoaks, with 700 years of history under one roof. Explore rooms from different eras, wander the 14-acre garden, then stretch your legs on more than 500 acres of estate walking trails. Booking is not required, making it an easy half-day trip.
Why it's here: More than 500 acres of estate trails, open dawn to dusk, and a Grade I listed dog kennel to admire. Dogs on short leads are welcome in most areas except the house, enclosed garden and natural play area.
Image: Emmetts GardenEmmetts Garden
Emmetts Garden is an Edwardian hillside garden at Ide Hill, near Sevenoaks, planted with rare trees and shrubs. Wander the rock garden, rose garden and woodland, which offer something to see through the year, then stop at the Old Stables Tea Room. Allow two to three hours.
Why it's here: A hillside garden at Ide Hill where dogs on short leads are welcome in the garden and two designated areas of the tea room. Paths are steep in places.
Image: One Tree HillOne Tree Hill
One Tree Hill is an unstaffed National Trust countryside site near Sevenoaks, with a network of woodland paths and a view south over the Weald of Kent. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so look out for rare plants, insects and molluscs as you walk. Free and dog-friendly, it is ideal for a short countryside walk.
Why it's here: Free woodland paths and a view over the Weald of Kent at an unstaffed National Trust site. Arrive early, as the car park is small.
Photo: Bewl WaterBewl Water
Bewl Water is the South East's largest reservoir, set in the High Weald on the Kent and Sussex border with 13 miles of shoreline. Come for a lakeside walk or bike ride, a watersports session or a summer day on the inflatable Aqua Park, then refuel at the Waterfront Café. It suits families, active groups and dog walkers, and can easily fill a day.
Why it's here: A 13-mile shoreline circuit and a café terrace where dogs are welcome. Keep them away from still water and bays because of blue-green algae.
Image: Hever Castle & GardensHever Castle and Gardens
Hever Castle is a double-moated 14th-century castle near Edenbridge, rich in Tudor history and set in 125 acres of gardens. Tour the castle rooms, then explore the gardens, lake walk, mazes and play areas, with a miniature model house exhibition and a military museum on site too. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds, and there is enough to fill a full day.
Why it's here: Dogs on leads are welcome throughout 125 acres of grounds and even on the rowing boats, though not in the castle, cafés, shops, mazes or play areas.
Days out where the dog comes too
Culture and steam, with the dog along for the ride.
Image: Canterbury CathedralCanterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral is the historic heart of the city, a vast medieval cathedral with centuries of stories to uncover. Explore the nave, crypt and stained glass at your own pace with a media guide, or join a guided tour or mini talk, then wander the precincts. Your ticket works as an annual pass, so you can come back within the year.
Why it's here: Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome in the building and grounds, though not on tours, talks or at services. Tickets work as a pass for 365 days.
Image: Spa Valley RailwaySpa Valley Railway
The Spa Valley Railway is a volunteer-supported heritage line running steam and heritage diesel trains between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge through the High Weald. Ride the line for the countryside views, or time your visit for one of its dining trains, family days or festivals. It suits families and rail enthusiasts and makes an easy half day from the town.
Why it's here: Well-behaved dogs travel free on this steam and heritage diesel line between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge, as long as they stay clear of the aisle.
Image: Kent & East Sussex RailwayKent and East Sussex Railway
The Kent and East Sussex Railway runs heritage trains from Tenterden Town across the county border to Bodiam, calling at Rolvenden, Wittersham Road and Northiam. A return trip makes a relaxed half day, with the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum and dining trains on selected dates. Families and rail fans will both enjoy it.
Why it's here: Dogs on short leads can ride standard timetable trains from Tenterden towards Bodiam, though not the dining train, first class or the museum.
Image: Folkestone Harbour ArmFolkestone Harbour Arm
Folkestone's restored Harbour Arm is a promenade out to sea lined with independent food stalls, bars and small shops, including a champagne bar in the lighthouse. It hosts live music, film screenings and markets through the year, including a festive market before Christmas. It is free to stroll and a good base for exploring the harbour and beaches.
Why it's here: Free to stroll, with dogs welcome on a lead along the promenade but not in all indoor venues.
Pubs that welcome dogs
All four are WH Pubs, listed on the site as featured partners, and each has something on the menu for dogs.
Photo: The Bull, OtfordThe Bull, Otford
The Bull is a historic coaching inn on Otford's High Street that has been serving the village since 1642. Expect open fires in the colder months, a proper bar with craft beers, a garden for summer and a seasonal British menu with a strong Sunday roast. It sits a few minutes from the North Downs Way and the Darent Valley Path, so it makes an easy lunch stop on a walk, and dogs get their own menu.
Why it's here: A coaching inn since 1642 with open fires, a garden and its own doggy menu, a few minutes from the North Downs Way.
Photo: The Little Brown Jug, Chiddingstone CausewayThe Little Brown Jug, Chiddingstone Causeway
The Little Brown Jug is a characterful brick pub near Penshurst, Chiddingstone and Hever that is built for families. Book your own tiki hut, sit under the retractable roof whatever the weather, and let children loose on the adventure playground while you eat. The menu runs from breakfast and pub classics to Sunday roasts with a kids' version, and dogs have their own menu. Walks to Chiddingstone and Hever Castle start close by.
Why it's here: The LBJ Bark Bistro dog menu, covered seating under a retractable roof and walks to Chiddingstone and Hever Castle starting close by.
Photo: The Cricketers Inn, MeophamThe Cricketers Inn, Meopham
The Cricketers Inn sits on Meopham Green, a couple of minutes from the restored Meopham Windmill, and was named Gastropub of the Year 2026 for the South of England by the Prestige Awards. Food is cooked to order using locally sourced ingredients, from pub classics and Sunday roasts to Thursday curry nights. Eat in the bar, the elegant Orangery or the BBQ garden, and the Meopham Green circuit makes a gentle walk before or after.
Why it's here: Dog beer and treats on the Sunday menu, and the Meopham Green circuit for a gentle walk before or after.
Photo: The Rose & Crown, OrpingtonThe Rose & Crown, Orpington
The Rose & Crown is a friendly community pub in Green Street Green, on the edge of Orpington where London meets Kent. It is a strong pick for families, with a dedicated kids' play area, tiki huts in the garden and stone-baked pizzas from the Pizza Shack. The main menu covers pub classics, sharing steaks and Sunday roasts. High Elms Country Park and Darwin's Down House are a short drive away.
Why it's here: A doggy treat on the menu and tiki huts in the garden, on the edge of Orpington where London meets Kent.
Questions people ask
Can I take my dog to Hever Castle?
Yes. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the grounds and on the rowing boats, but not inside the castle, cafés, shops, mazes or play areas.
Are dogs allowed in Canterbury Cathedral?
Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome in the building and grounds, but not on tours, talks or at services.
Which Kent attractions do not allow dogs?
Leeds Castle admits assistance dogs only because of its free-roaming wildfowl, Walmer Castle and Gardens is assistance dogs only, and Wildwood does not allow any dogs, including assistance dogs.
Do any Kent heritage railways take dogs?
The Spa Valley Railway lets well-behaved dogs travel free, and the Kent and East Sussex Railway allows dogs on short leads on standard timetable trains.