Photo: Hugh Venables, CC BY-SA 2.0Dog-friendly days out in Hampshire
For a dog-friendly day out in Hampshire, England, try Hurst Castle at Milford on Sea, where dogs on short leads are welcome throughout and travel free on the ferry, Keyhaven Marshes, where dogs under close control can use the sea wall path, or The Vyne, which the National Trust rates as dog friendly.
Hampshire has coast, forest and marsh where dogs are welcome, but the rules change from site to site. Some want a short lead, some want dogs kept under close control, and some allow dogs in only part of the site.
The season can matter too. At Lee-on-the-Solent beach, dogs are allowed outside the summer season only. At Keyhaven, dogs can use the sea wall path but not the Wildlife Trust reserve itself, where birds nest, so keep to the path.
Some sites are stricter. Highclere Castle does not allow dogs in its grounds except guide dogs, and Miller's Ark does not allow dogs on the farm. Check the site page before you travel with a dog, because rules often differ between the house, the grounds and the cafés.
Every place here is checked against its official website; the latest check was on .
Coast, marsh and beach
Open shoreline and nature reserves where dogs can walk with their owners.
Photo: Hugh Venables, CC BY-SA 2.0Farlington Marshes Nature Reserve
A 123 hectare coastal nature reserve on Portsmouth Harbour, known for wading birds and wildfowl. A rough path runs about 2.5 miles around the outer sea wall.
Why it's here: Entry is free, but dogs must be on a lead at this nature reserve. A rough path of about 2.5 miles runs around the outer sea wall.
Photo: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0Keyhaven and Keyhaven Marshes
A level coastal walk from Keyhaven along the sea wall of the Solent Way, between Hampshire County Council's Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Local Nature Reserve and the Wildlife Trust's offshore saltmarsh and mudflats. There are views to Hurst Castle, the Isle of Wight and the Needles, and birdlife in every season.
Why it's here: Dogs under close control are allowed on the sea wall path, but not on the Wildlife Trust reserve itself. The walk is free and level.
Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0Lee-on-the-Solent Beach
Lee-on-the-Solent has a shingle beach with views of ships and yachts moving up and down the Solent. The waterfront has a children’s playground and a splash park, along with shops and restaurants.
Why it's here: Dogs are allowed on the beach outside the summer season. The beach is free to visit, with a children's playground and splash park on the waterfront.
Woodland, lakes and gardens
Forest paths and parkland where dogs can keep walking.
Image: Forestry EnglandBlackwater and the Tall Trees Trail, Rhinefield Ornamental Drive
A Forestry England arboretum on the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, where the 1.5-mile Tall Trees Trail runs beneath Douglas firs and giant redwoods planted in the reign of Queen Victoria. An easy arboretum trail and a sensory sculpture trail start from the same car park.
Why it's here: Dogs are allowed on the Tall Trees Trail, a 1.5-mile walk under Victorian Douglas firs. The walk is free, and Forestry England parking is charged.
Photo: Chris Gunns, CC BY-SA 2.0Holly Hill Woodland Park
A historic estate park of about 35 hectares between Sarisbury Green and the River Hamble, with lakes, waterfalls, a sunken garden and trees from around the world. Fareham Borough Council took it on in 1954 and has restored much of the landscape.
Why it's here: Dogs must be kept on leads around the lakes to protect wildlife. The park has lakes with islands, a sunken garden and waymarked woodland walks.
Photo: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0Exbury Gardens
A 200-acre woodland garden where the Beaulieu River meets the Solent, best known for its spring displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias. More than 22 miles of paths wind through the gardens to riverside walks, with autumn colour from nyssas and acers.
Why it's here: Dogs on short leads are welcome in the gardens, on the steam railway and in the left-hand section of Mr Eddy's Restaurant.
Castles and historic houses
Historic sites where dogs are welcome on leads, with a few limits to check.
Photo: Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0Wolvesey Castle
The ruins of the Bishops of Winchester's medieval palace, beside Winchester Cathedral. Much of the 12th-century palace of Bishop Henry of Blois survives, and in 1554 its East Hall was dressed for the wedding banquet of Queen Mary and Philip of Spain.
Why it's here: Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds of these free ruins beside Winchester Cathedral, which are open daily from 10am to 4pm in winter.
Image: English HeritageHurst Castle
An artillery fortress built by Henry VIII at the seaward end of Hurst Spit to guard the narrow western entrance to the Solent, later strengthened from the Napoleonic Wars to the Second World War. Reaching it is part of the outing, by ferry from Keyhaven through the saltmarshes or on a 2-mile walk along the shingle.
Why it's here: Dogs on short leads are welcome everywhere in the castle and travel free on the ferry from Keyhaven.
Photo: Alfterfoto, CC BY-SA 4.0The Vyne
A Tudor mansion in Sherborne St John, home of the Sandys and Chute families for more than 500 years. The house has state rooms, servants' quarters and gardens, with a family trail in the autumn.
Why it's here: The National Trust rates The Vyne as dog friendly, so dogs can explore the gardens. National Trust members go free.
Cafés, farms and museums
Places where dogs can join you for a meal, a visit to the animals or a look round.
Hockey's Farm
A family-run farm in the north of the New Forest that has raised rare-breed British Lop pigs since 1973, with a farm shop, butcher's counter and licensed farmyard cafe. Families can meet the resident pigs, donkeys and alpacas, and it makes a handy stop for walkers and cyclists.
Why it's here: Dogs on leads are welcome outside, in the café seating and around the farm, but not in the farm shop. The farm is free to visit.
Image: Eling Tide Mill ExperienceEling Tide Mill Experience
A Grade II* listed tide mill from about 1785 on a causeway across Eling Creek, on a site where millers have used the tides to grind wheat for over 900 years. Alongside the mill are a visitor centre with an interactive exhibition, a cafe and free waterside walks to Goatee Beach and Bartley Water.
Why it's here: Dogs are welcome inside the buildings and outside. The machinery only turns at low water, so check milling times first.
Photo: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0New Forest Heritage Centre
A free museum run by an independent charity in the middle of Lyndhurst, telling the story of the New Forest, its people, traditions and ancient laws, and how its wildlife is looked after today. A highlight is the 7.5-metre New Forest Embroidery, made by Lady Belinda Montagu and 60 volunteers to show 900 years of the Forest's history.
Why it's here: Dogs are welcome in the museum, gallery, gift shop and café. The centre is free to enter.
Questions people ask
Where can we take the dog for a day out in Hampshire?
Hurst Castle at Milford on Sea welcomes dogs on short leads throughout the castle and on the ferry, Keyhaven Marshes lets dogs under close control use the sea wall path, and Holly Hill Woodland Park in Sarisbury Green asks for dogs on leads around the lakes.
Can dogs go into Highclere Castle?
Not into the castle grounds, except guide dogs. Dogs are welcome on the public footpaths on leads, according to the castle's own notes.
Can dogs go on the beach at Lee-on-the-Solent?
Yes, outside the summer season. The beach at Lee-on-the-Solent is free to visit.