Here are seven heritage sites you can take your dog to this spring.
1. Sandringham Estate
Sandringham Estate is a historic royal retreat near King’s Lynn, set in thousands of acres of parkland and woodland walks that make it ideal for visitors with dogs.
Dogs are welcome in the Royal Parkland and Courtyard areas, including the shop, takeaway and parts of the café and restaurant, so you can combine a walk with a coffee stop.
Only assistance dogs are allowed inside Sandringham House and formal Gardens, which keeps the heritage interiors protected.
2. Oxburgh Estate
Oxburgh Hall is a late‑medieval moated manor house near Swaffham, set in formal gardens, woodland and open parkland which is run by the National Trust.
Well‑behaved dogs on leads are welcome on most of the estate walks, in the gardens and in the courtyard areas, and current guidance also allows them into the tearoom and gift shop, while only assistance dogs can go inside the hall itself.
The Oxburgh Estate offers a heritage hit plus a proper walk where you can loop around the moat, head out on longer signed trails through the woods and fields, then sit down for a coffee
3. Castle Acre Castle and Castle Acre Priory
Castle Acre is a great shout if you want proper history and a decent dog walk in one go.
Both the English Heritage‑run Castle Acre Priory and Castle Acre Castle and Bailey Gate welcome dogs on leads in the grounds, so you can wander the ruins and big grassy areas without leaving the dog at home.
There’s lots of space around the priory for dogs to potter, plus a circular six‑mile walk from the castle that loops to the priory and along the Nar Valley, which many people use as a dog‑friendly half‑day out.
The village itself also has dog‑friendly cafés and a pub, and several guides describe the whole place as “very dog friendly”, with water bowls and bins dotted around for walkers.
4. Mannington Hall
Mannington Hall is a moated medieval manor near Holt, surrounded by lakes, ancient woodland and a renowned rose garden that charts the history of the rose from the fifteenth century to today.
It’s also distinctly dog‑friendly and well‑behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens and on the way‑marked estate trails, which take in wildflower meadows, woodland, lakes and the atmospheric ruins of Mannington church.
5. Binham Priory
According to English Heritage, Binham Priory is one of the most “complete and impressive” monastic ruins in Norfolk.
Dogs are allowed around the ruins and you can bolt on a circular walk from the Norfolk Heritage Walks series.
The most popular route for those on foot is the 6.7km Binham Priory loop, which passes the priory and explores country lanes and fields, perfect for taking your four-legged companions.
6. Blickling Estate
The Blickling Estate, near Aylsham, was ranked as the fifth best place to visit out of the more than 600 sites owned by The National Trust across the UK.
The data comes from Fruity King, which ranked the spots based on the number of facilities they offer.
Dogs are welcome to explore the extensive parkland, woodland, farmyard, estate barn and Muddy Boots Cafe.
While they must be kept on leads in car parks and on the lake walk, there are lots of designated places for them to be let off.
The hall and the main garden is the only place where they cannot go.
7. Felbrigg Hall and Estate
The 17th-century Jacobean Felbrigg Hall sits just south of Cromer, with 500 acres of rolling landscape complete with lakes, woods and trails to explore.
Dogs are welcome almost everywhere on the Felbrigg estate except the house and formal gardens.
The site is a two pawprint-rated place and features water bowls, dog bins and dog-friendly walks across the estate.
Furry friends can even pay a visit to the tea-room and shop with their owners.
