Many of us like to keep our doggy companions by our sides and luckily, there are plenty of places in Bucks that welcome dogs. Take a look at these dog friendly attractions and venues, plus read all about the National Trust's new Pooch Passport.
If you fancy a delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch or afternoon tea accompanied by your pooch, then head to The Grange Restaurant which is at The Hearing Dogs for Deaf People's centre in Saunderton. Dogs are of course welcomed and you can sit inside or in the courtyard or on the terrace. The food is top notch and made with local ingredients whenever possible, plus there's a lovely gift shop.
The Chiltern Open Air Museum is a dog friendly 45 acre site with over 30 reconstructed historic buildings to visit and extensive grounds which include a working farm, cottage garden and 1940s inspired allotment. They host lots of events and many of them are living history experiences such as Roman enactors and Ragged Victorians. If you have a nervous dog, you might want to check what's on before visiting.
If you'd like to take your dog on the water, then The Little Trip Boat in Aylesbury is more than happy for them to join the crew. Cruise along the Aylesbury branch of the Grand Union Canal to the marina and learn some of the local history and how to open and close locks whilst gliding leisurely along. Or how about the train? Step back in time on a steam or diesel train from Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway and take a heritage ride through the countryside. Well behaved dogs go free.
Buckinghamshire's many parks of course welcome dogs and include Black Park, Willen Lake, Campbell Park and Langley Country Park.
Recently the National Trust has made its estates much more dog friendly and although you can't usually take them into the properties, dogs on leads are now welcomed in the grounds. At Waddesdon, you can take the path up to the house and wander through the grounds or veer off across the fields by the car park and in to the parkland. Both Hughenden and Cliveden have extensive grounds heading down to rivers, a perfect spot for a doggy dip in hot weather. Privately owned Chenies Manor is one of the finest examples of a Tudor mansion in the UK and you can visit the gardens (the house is currently closed) which include a sunken garden, rose garden, walled kitchen garden, physic garden and parterre. Dogs on leads are welcome. And the grounds at Stowe are perfect for walking your dog with loads of space and beautiful Grecian architecture to admire at every turn. Launched in partnership with natural pet food maker Forthglade, the National Trust Pooch Passport has just been unveiled exclusively at 29 National Trust places across London and the South East, including Cliveden, Stowe, Hughenden and Waddesdon. They have been specially selected because they have been awarded a two pawprint or three pawprint rating, which means that they provide good or very good facilities for visiting dogs. This may include dog-washing areas, drinking stations, dog zones in cafés, waste bins and downloadable walks for dog walkers. Pawprint ratings can be found on property web pages and in the National Trust Handbook. From 1 September 2023 to 29 February 2024 dogs who enjoy walks at participating properties can have their Pooch Passports stamped. Once they have collected unique stamps from six different places they’ll receive a special Forthglade treat. And if they visit 12 locations they’ll receive a second Forthglade treat.
Image credit: Dogs Walkers National Trust by Chris Lacey