23 best dog friendly days out in Hampshire & The Isle of Wight

If you’re looking for things to do in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight with a dog, we’ve got you covered with a range of days out and attractions. We’ve even found places that let dogs in for free!

We here at Hampshire’s Top Attractions know just how special our four legged friends are – they are a member of the family! With a lot of our attractions being dog friendly, you won’t have to worry about leaving them behind. Take a look below at our top dog friendly attractions that the whole family will enjoy…

Our top dog friendly days out in Hampshire

From the New Forest, to beaches and amazing gardens, Hampshire is a dog walker’s delight! We’ve compiled some of our favourite walks below including museums, castles, landmarks, farms, and even a few dog friendly activities in Hampshire too. Plus, we’ve got details on one of the region’s best dog shows.

1. Explore the ancient past with your dog at Butser Ancient Farm! The Farm welcomes dogs on short leads across the site, where you can step back in time and visit Stone Age houses, Iron Age Roundhouses, a Roman Villa and Saxon Hall. Nestled into a beautiful corner of the South Downs National Park, with several nearby footpaths to explore, the farm has lots of hands on activities to try out and is also home to sheep, goats and pigs (so dogs do need to be kept under close control). Please note that during special events only assistance dogs are allowed at the farm.
2. Dogs on short leads are welcome throughout the gardens and outside the tearoom at Chawton House – where water bowls are available for them. Assistance dogs are allowed in the House and Garden. All dog owners are asked to clean up after them and use the dog bins provided.
3. The Brickworks Museum is very dog friendly! As long as the dogs are on leads and well-behaved there are few places they can’t go. There is even space inside that isn’t in the cafe so you can enjoy a snack alongside your canine companion.
4. All of the explorers of the natural world celebrated at Gilbert White & The Oates Collections were big dog lovers and the museum is no different! Dogs are permitted in our 25 acre grounds on a lead, and to all outside events. The Museum also hosts an annual Dog Show in September to celebrate our four legged friends.

5. 

   Head over with your paddling pooch to New Forest Activities and take part in a Family Canoeing session. Dog’s big and small are welcome to tag along to enjoy a gentle cruise through the beautiful Beaulieu River Nature Reserve. Or opt for a Family Adventure Day which includes a canoeing trip and a full day’s bike hire. Your pups can run alongside as you spend time exploring the New Forest National Park by bike. Great for all ages, with tag-alongs, trailers, child seats and free cycle routes available too!

6. All dogs are welcome at God’s House Tower. Drinking bowls are available in the cafe located on the ground floor
7. Dogs are very welcome on The Watercress Line and even travel for free! Hop on and off the steam or heritage diesel trains to enjoy all four of the stations and take a country walk from Alresford, Medstead, or Alton, you can also find water bowls at every station.
8. Dogs have been welcomed to Exbury Gardens since its opening in 1919. Treat your four-legged friends to special dog ice cream in the restaurant, walks through our expansive gardens with water bowls enroute and even a train ride! Pooches must be kept on short leads but nowhere is off limits.
9. Enjoy exploring the 440 acres of Itchen Valley Country Park with your dog and relax with refreshments in their dog friendly Woodland Cafe. If your four legged friend loves nothing more than to run through muddy puddles, fear not! You can clean them up in the dog wash located to the side of the Kingfisher Barn toilets.
10. Beaulieu National Motor Musuem is at the heart of the New Forest, Beaulieu is a multi-award-winning family day out with something for everyone, even dogs! The Palace House Grounds & Gardens are an idyllic place to take a stroll with your four-legged friend and even head down to watch the river flow with spectacular views!
11. Bucklers Hard welcomes dogs in the village, Museum, Captain’s Table Tea Rooms and on the River Cruise, but must be kept on a lead.
12. Hire a dog trailer at Cyclexperience and take your canine friend on a New Forest bike ride!
13. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site of Portchester Castle.
14. Countryside Canine’s is a new initiative launched by Hampshire’s countryside service. It aims to let people know where they can walk their dogs off a lead and where we would like dogs to be on leads or on the paths. Coloured way marking discs will denote the areas and more information can be found on the website. Such as Staunton Country Park,
15. River Hamble Country Park,
16. Lepe Country Park,
17. Royal Victoria Country Park,
18. Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

Dog friendly attractions and days out in the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight has plenty of dog-friendly attractions – and a massive variety of walks around our coastlines, beaches with lovely waves to swim in and woodland to be scampered on. There are also lots of pooch-friendly accommodation providers, restaurants, cafes and pubs, so no family member gets left out. Things to do in the Isle of Wight with a dog include:

1. Wightlink, welcomes dogs and has Fido-friendly areas on board all their ships. What’s more, dogs travel free of charge. The Isle of Wight is an absolute haven for dog-lovers; many attractions and accommodation providers welcome them. For more inspiration and a guide to the Island’s dog-friendly beaches, take a look at Wightlink’s blog here.
2. At Osborne House, dogs are welcome in the grounds, including the formal gardens. There are outside seating areas in the cafe, terrace restaurant and beach cafe in which dogs are welcome.
3. The Isle of Wight is a dog owner’s paradise! Many of the local residents have dogs and the Island is renowned for its welcoming attitude and general dog-friendliness. Your dog is a part of your family so of course you want to bring them with you. Red Funnel Ferries welcome accompanied dogs on ALL our ferries, FREE of charge. There is no need to pre-book or obtain a ticket. They are also pleased to provide a designated pet lounge, complete with bowls of water and complimentary dog biscuits, in the North Lounge on board Red Osprey, Red Falcon and Red Eagle.
4. Discover a place of unforgettable adventure and outstanding natural beauty at The Needles Landmark Attraction. The spectacular landscape and stunning Alum Bay Beach provides the perfect walking areas for dogs. The Needles welcomes well behaved dogs on leads within the park also, regrettably only guide dogs are permitted within the buildings.
5. Hovertravel has been welcoming dogs onboard for no charge for over 50 years. The staff and crew are always delighted to shake a sandy paw, watch a wagging tail or get a friendly lick! Dog water bowls are provided in the Ryde and Southsea terminals.

So there you have it, 23 dog friendly days out, perfect for all members of the family. From gardens, to walks, water activities to events, you’re guaranteed to have one relaxed and tired canine when you get home.