Great Dog-Friendly Attractions in Kent

With over 4,000 miles of wonderful walks it will come as no surprise that Kent – otherwise known as the ‘Garden of England’ – is a fantastic holiday destination for you and your four legged friends. Enjoy large sandy beaches, wide open skies and dramatic coastal paths. Travel further inland and you will find plenty of historic towns and quaint villages dotted in between the pretty Kent countryside. Stroll through ancient woodlands, enjoy the unspoilt beauty of the Kent Downs or explore marshes teeming with wildlife. The choice of walks and landscapes are endless.

However, it’s not all about wonderful walks and beautiful beaches. If you are looking for a bit of history, culture, or just a nice relaxing day out with the family, there is vast selection of activities for you and your dog to enjoy. Here are our top seven dog friendly attractions in Kent.

The Historic Dockyard

It is not surprising that the Historic Dockyard in Chatham has won a large number of tourist awards. Hugely popular with all ages, you can explore 400 years of maritime heritage on this 80 acre working dockyard. It is an exciting journey of discovery where you can climb on board historic warships, visit one of the 10 museum galleries or take a costume guided tour. Allow yourself a full day at the dockyard as there are so many fascinating things to see and do from learning about rope making to walking in the footsteps of famous actors. Try to spot the buildings used in the film sets of Les Miserables, Call the Midwife and Sherlock Holmes, to name just a few.

Dogs are welcome to join you at the Historic Dockyard but must be kept on a lead. They are not allowed in any of the galleries so you may need to take it in turns when viewing these.

Hever Castle

Hever Castle and Gardens is great day out for romantics and lovers of fine houses and gardens. As the former home of Anne Boleyn, one of England’s most famous queens, this beautiful double moated castle welcomes dogs on lead within its 125 acres of grounds including the magical Rose, Tudor and Italian Gardens. Enjoy a lakeside walk or hire a rowing boat and take in the beautiful setting of the castle. For those who want to explore the splendours of the castle itself, there is a place where dogs can be left in the castle courtyard. The cafe and restaurant both also have posts where you can tie your dog should you want to enjoy refreshments inside. Or on a sunny day there are facilities to eat outside with your dog.

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest

Located in Goudhurst, Bedgebury Pinetum is home to the world’s most impressive collection of conifers and offers plenty of activities for a full day of fun for all ages. It is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts with plenty of walking and cycling routes and there is even a tree top adventure for the younger ones at Go Ape. Dogs can enjoy some off-lead exercise on the forest walks but they must be kept on lead in the Pinetum and near the children’s play area.

Canterbury

As one of the country’s oldest cities, Canterbury should definitely be on your bucket list. Perhaps the best way to take in all the sites is to take part in a guided walking tour. Whilst you explore the medieval lanes and charming cobbled streets you will learn about the city’s colourful – and sometimes spooky – past. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome on the tour.

If you want to explore the cities magical sites without the hustle and bustle of city life book a trip on the river. At the Canterbury Punting Company you can either hire out your own punt or book onto a guided tour. Whether you are after something romantic, scary, or just a relaxing trip on the river, punting is a fun and different way to enjoy city life. And dogs go free!

Visit a garden

Garden lovers will be pleased to know there are a number of gorgeous gardens to visit in Kent. You and your dog can enjoy exploring the ten acres of woodland walks and landscaped gardens at Doddington Palace, near Sittingborne, or be wowed by the charming Edwardian gardens at Mount Ephraim. Take a picnic or treat yourself to an afternoon tea at the West Wing kitchen, where dogs are allowed on leads.

Kent and East Sussex Railway

Everyone likes to relax on holiday, even your dog! So why not sit back and appreciate this beautiful countryside on one of the finest rural light railways in the country on the Kent and East Sussex Railway. This nostalgic trip starts from the Cinque Port town of Tenterden and allows you to travel back in time as it winds its way through the unspoilt picturesque Rother Valley, with the sight of spectacular Bodiam Castle greeting you at the other end. Dogs are welcome into the grounds of Bodiam Castle and there are places to tether your dog outside the ticket office should you want to explore the castle itself. There are also several suggested railway walks which makes it easy to combine a walk with a train ride. Either enjoy one of the circular walks or walk in between stations and hop on the train to return back to where you started.

Biddenden Vineyard

If you have worked up a thirst after all this exploring head to Beddenden Vineyard to sample some of Kent’s award winning wines, ciders and juices. Either pre book a tour or if you are just passing there is a self-guided route that you and your dog are welcome to walk around at your leisure. Make sure you pop into the shop afterwards for a tasting, or if you are driving you can buy some treats to enjoy when you return home to your holiday cottage!

Dog friendly holiday cottages

After a day out exploring the picturesque Kent countryside there is nothing better than returning to a cosy cottage where you and your four legged friends can relax and start planning the next days’ activities! Whether you are looking for somewhere to stay that has walks from the door, cosy log burners to curl up in front of, or is just a short walk from a train station, we have a great selection of dog-friendly cottages to choose from. It’s time to start planning your next doggie adventure!

We have shared just a few of our favourite dog-friendly attractions with you here but Kent has plenty more great attractions – take a look.