A Tail-Wagging Guide to Pawsome Adventures!
The Garden of England is a perfect family getaway destination for you and your four-legged friend. With canine-friendly attractions, parks, shops, and eateries, you can rest assured your whole family can enjoy the trip.
So, whether you’re looking to roam the gardens of a medieval castle, explore enchanting ancient forests, or embark on a steam railway adventure, our guide highlights some of the best dog-friendly attractions in Kent!
Dog Friendly Castle Grounds in Kent
Scotney Castle
Often described as a fairytale castle, Scotney Castle is a medieval picture-perfect destination—ideal for dog owners and history enthusiasts alike. Well-behaved dogs are welcome (on short leads) in the garden, the shop, the outside seating area of the tea-room, and on the wider estate.
So, whether you wish to take a leisurely stroll around the picturesque moat, relax on the lawns with your four-legged companion, or snap some stunning photos, Scotney Castle is a must-visit attraction in Kent.
Hever Castle
Hever Castle is the beautiful historical site that was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII. This attraction in Kent offers an expansive 150 acres of grounds and award-winning gardens to explore with your furry friend, including a 100-year-old yew maze.
Built in the Edwardian era, the labyrinth boasts almost a quarter of a mile of pathways inside, with enough twists and turns to keep you and your dog busy for a while!
For something quieter, stroll through some of the Castle’s beautiful gardens, such as the English Rose Garden, where you can breathe in the scent of over 5,000 rose bushes, or the Loggia, overlooking the site’s serene 38-acre lake.
Chiddingstone Castle
The grounds around Chiddingstone Castle consist of charming woodland, sprawling lawns, and a beautiful fishing lake. The lawn is ideal for picnics with the whole family – including four-legged members! From here, you can admire breathtaking views of the North Downs, knowing your pup will get plenty of opportunity to run around!
Dog Friendly Attractions in Tunbridge Wells and Beyond
The Pantiles
Perhaps the most iconic destination in Tunbridge Wells, The Pantiles is an elegant Georgian collonaded walkway lined with dog-friendly independent boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Depending on your time and season of visit, you may even have the opportunity to watch live music performances on the bandstand with the Jazz on the Pantiles festival every Thursday night during Spring and Summer.
Dunorlan Park
Located near the heart of Tunbridge Wells, Dunorlan Park is a Victorian garden complete with meadows and wildlife. Your four-legged friend will have plenty of space to run around here, and the gentle grassy slopes in the park offer a fantastic view of the countryside.
Gusbourne
If you’re looking for a way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a leisurely stroll through Gusbourne vineyard is an ideal way to spend the day. Gusbourne Estate’s dog-friendly tours take you through the serene vineyards, where you’ll hear insights about the fruit and the wine-making process.
The Mount Vineyard
The Mount Vineyard is a hidden gem of a vineyard and restaurant located in Shoreham, Sevenoaks. Dogs are welcome with open arms at this beautiful location. Stroll through the vineyard with your four-legged friend before stopping at the restaurant for wine-tasting and fresh stone-baked pizza!
Wildwood Vineyard
Wildwood Vineyard, a family owned boutique vineyard located just south of the village of Eridge, East Sussex, creates premium quality English still & sparkling wines. They also offer tours and events which you and your four-legged friend can attend!
Top Tip: Dogs are welcome to join the Wine Tours of Kent private tours.
Dog-Friendly Gardens
Hole Park
Hole Park is a stunning country estate with meticulously maintained dog-friendly parkland and colourful woodlands. One of its highlights is the beautiful gardens, which feature an impressive variety of flowers, shrubs, and trees that bloom throughout the year. With carpets of bluebells in spring, exotic blooms in late summer, and vibrant shrubs in autumn, it may be worth a visit in each season!
Emmets Garden
Emmetts Garden is an Edwardian estate nestled in the heart of the Kent countryside. This stunning dog-friendly destination offers large open spaces, woodland paths, and breathtaking views of the surrounding Weald. You can explore a variety of beautifully landscaped gardens bursting with colourful blooms in the spring and summer and follow the woodland trails surrounded by vibrant shrubs in autumn.
Sissinghurst
Enjoy over 450 acres of stunning grounds with your furry friend at Sissinghurst Castle. Although dogs are not permitted inside the formal gardens, the stunning grounds offer wide-open fields and lakes for your dog to jump into.
Dog-Friendly Shopping in Kent
You don’t need to leave your dog at home to enjoy a day of shopping in Royal Tunbridge Wells. The town is known for being Dog-friendly.
Royal Victoria Place welcomes dogs and boasts over 90 shops, including popular high-street brands, cafes, and restaurants. Many of the independent boutiques, shops, cafes, and bars on High Street and Chapel Place also welcome four-legged friends!
Pawsome Adventures
Spa Valley Railway
All aboard! This charming steam and heritage diesel railway adventure will take you and your canine companion on a scenic journey through the beautiful Kent countryside. Not only are dogs welcome on the trains, but they even get to go for free! At Eridge, you can hop off and enjoy a beautiful woodland walk towards Harrison’s Rocks. Should we mention you can get off and enjoy walks through woodlands?
Knole Park
Kent’s last remaining mediaeval deer park is a great place to explore with your canine companion. With beautiful woodlands, meadows, wildlife, and wild deer roaming the grounds, Knole Park makes a perfect day out for the whole family!
Bewl Water
This beautiful reservoir is surrounded by a 12-and-a-half-mile walking trail that can take up to six hours to complete! Luckily, shorter routes are also available for those wishing to take a shorter walk. Your dog will love being able to exercise off the lead at Bewl Water!
For pawsome adventures are what you’re looking for, check out our guide to the best dog walks in Kent, featuring woodland trails, greenspaces, and parks in Tunbridge Wells and beyond.
Explore Kent’s Best Dog Friendly Walks, Restaurants, and Hotels
Dog Friendly Accommodation
When it comes to finding dog-friendly accommodation in Kent, there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a traditional hotel, a cosy country cottage, or a spacious apartment, our guide lists some fantastic places where you and your four-legged friend can rest your heads (and paws!) after a busy day.
Dog Friendly Places to Eat
Trekking through Kent’s enchanting forests and adventurous trails is hungry work! Whether you’re looking for a cosy spot to grab a drink or two with your favourite four-legged pal or you’re craving a hearty meal at a country pub, we’ve rounded up some of the best dog-friendly places to eat in Kent.
Best Dog Walks in Kent
With its stunning parks, woodlands, countryside trails, and rolling hills, Tunbridge Wells is one of the nicest locations for dog owners to explore with their four-legged companions. Whether you’re planning a family day out or you’re looking for new running routes, this guide highlights the best dog-friendly walks in this beautiful corner of Kent.
