Visiting with your dog

One of the many joys of visiting Compton Verney is to walk your dog.

Here are some tips for visiting that will ensure that you, your dog and other visitors can enjoy our beautiful park, whilst still protecting our wonderfully biodiverse landscape.

Happy Hounds Coventry

Dog Walkers’ Code of Conduct

  • Well-behaved dogs are welcome on short leads. Longer leads can be used in the Old Town Meadow, but please be conscious of the wildlife, particularly around the lakeside.
  • Please don’t let your dog swim in the lake for their health, and so as not to disturb wildlife.
  • We have a map outlining where you can walk your dog. Out of respect for other visitors, please do not bring your dog into the Forest School, Playground or Sandpit areas, and avoid the Ice House Coppice it is a protected wildlife habitat area.
  • Only assistance dogs are allowed in the House and Galleries, due to the fragile nature of the items on display, and for the enjoyment of other visitors.
  • Only assistance dogs are permitted on our shuttle bus from the car park to the main house.
  • Please do not leave your dog in your car at any time. If a dog is left in a car and appears distressed we will inform the relevant authorities.
  • There are posts where dogs can be left outside at the rear of the House for short trips to the café, shop or toilets.
  • If you want to visit the Galleries and Exhibitions, please come back another time and leave your dog to snooze at home.
  • Please pick up after your dog and carry waste bags with you until you see a dog waste bin.
  • Dog drinking stations are available near the Welcome Centre and at the rear of the House. Please ask a member of staff if you have difficulty locating them, or they need topping up.
  • For the enjoyment of all we prefer that you only have one dog per person, but will allow a maximum of two.

Please note, during the winter we use salt on the paths, which may cause irritation to dogs.

Where are dogs allowed?

We also know that some people can be wary of dogs, and we want to ensure that everyone feels welcome and safe when they visit. For this reason, dogs will be allowed in the Welcome Centre and the Parkland, including the Old Town Meadow, but not in the Playground, Forest School or Sandpits, and not in the Ice House Coppice where the paths are narrow. Only assistance dogs will be allowed in the House. A map outlining the restricted areas can be obtained at the Welcome Centre.

What do you mean about ‘well behaved’ dogs?

Dogs and their behaviour are the responsibility of their owners. We ask that all owners adhere to our Dog Walking Code, including walking on short leads, avoiding certain areas, and keeping dogs under close control. Please do not allow your dog to jump up at other visitors, and ensure that they have sufficient room to pass you on narrow paths. We reserve the right to refuse entry, or to ask dogs and owners behaving inconsiderately or dangerously to leave without refund.

What do I do if I see a badly behaved dog?

If a dog is acting aggressively, is not under control or is a threat to visitors or wildlife, please seek out a member of staff as soon as possible and provide a description of the dog and their behaviour.

Do I need to keep my dog on the lead?

You should keep your dog on a lead when walking them around the Park. Dogs on long leads in the Old Town Meadow but only if you can keep them under close control.

Do you have recommended walks?

We have a number of walking routes that take in the main Park, the Old Town Meadow, and even through the local countryside. You can pick up maps at the Welcome Centre.

Where can I leave my dog if I go inside?

Hitching posts will be available at the Welcome Centre and at the rear of the House so you can leave your dogs for short trips to the café, shop or toilets. As the hitching areas aren’t sheltered, we ask that if you want to visit the Galleries and Exhibitions, please come back another time and leave your dog to snooze at home. Please do not leave your dog in your car at any time. If a dog is left in a car and appears distressed we will inform the relevant authorities.

Where can I put my dog waste?

Please pick up after your dog and carry waste bags with you until you see a dog waste bin. New dog waste bins have been installed throughout the site and are labelled on the map. Please do not put your regular waste in these bins or your dog waste in the regular bins.

Watering points

Dog drinking stations are available near the Welcome Centre and at the rear of the House. Please ask a member of staff if you have difficulty locating them, or they need topping up.

How many dogs can I bring with me?

For the enjoyment of all we prefer that you only have one dog per person, but will allow a maximum of two. This is to ensure that you can give sufficient attention to all the dogs under your control, and to avoid other visitors feeling intimidated by large groups of dogs.

Can I bring my dog in the shuttle bus?

Only assistance dogs are permitted on our shuttle bus from the Car Park to the House.

Image: Happy Hounds Coventry