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Visiting with Dogs

Visitor Announcement

The Armed Forces Memorial, and its immediate surroundings, will be closed to visitors from 10am on Friday 8 August to 5pm on Sunday 17 August to allow us to prepare to host the national VJ Day 80 commemorations. The rest of the Arboretum will remain open to visitors as normal. We are sorry for any inconvenience this might cause and appreciate your understanding during this time.

Find Out More

We are pleased to welcome well-behaved dogs and their owners during the daytime at the Arboretum.

 

To help ensure the comfort of all our visitors we ask that you follow our simple rules:

 

  • Dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times.
  • Clear-up promptly after your dog and use the dog waste bins provided around our grounds. 
  • Please be respectful and manage your dog throughout your visit to be considerate of other visitors and the Remembrance that the memorials represent. Lots of our trees, pathways and planting are symbolic or form part of a memorial.
  • Dogs are not allowed in children’s play areas or on the Armed Forces Memorial (or its surrounding  pathway and grassed banks), on our land train, buggies or mobility scooters and access to our indoor space is limited to those visiting with dogs.

 

 

Refreshments are available from our Restaurant and Coffee Shop*, where a limited number of indoor tables are available for those visiting with dogs. There is also covered outdoor seating in Heroes’ Square.

Please note only assistance dogs are permitted to attend our evening events, including Illuminated Arboretum. 

 

*seasonal opening hours apply

Assistance Dogs

 

Assistance dogs are allowed access throughout the Arboretum including indoor spaces.

Visitor Maps are available at our Welcome Desk on arrival at the Arboretum.

 

Alternatively, you can download a simple map of the site using the button below.

 

Download Map
Dogs at the Arboretum

Entrance for all visitors is through our Remembrance Centre.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I visit the memorials with my dog?

Visitors with dogs are welcome to explore our site and most of the memorials housed within our grounds, however we do ask that you are respectful and manage your dog throughout your visit to be considerate of other visitors and the Remembrance that the memorials represent. Lots of our trees, pathways and planting are symbolic or form part of a memorial.

Dogs are not allowed on the Armed Forces Memorial.

Can my dog go inside your buildings?

Please note that access in our indoor spaces is limited, however refreshments are available from our Coffee Shop, and there is plenty of outdoor seating in Heroes’ Square. A limited number of indoor tables will be made available for those visiting with dogs in our Restaurant – please speak to a member of our team to find out where these are located on the day.

 

Can I take my dog into the Arboretum’s exhibitions?

Only assistance dogs are allowed into the Arboretum’s exhibitions in the Remembrance Centre, and the Far East Prisoner of War Exhibition.

Can I bring my dog to Illuminated Arboretum?
Only working assistance dogs will be permitted entry onto site during our Illuminated Arboretum evenings. 
Can I visit the Restaurant with my dog?

A limited number of indoor tables will be made available for those visiting with dogs in our Restaurant – please speak to a member of our team to find out where these are located on the day.

 

Alternatively, visitors with dogs are welcome to visit our Coffee Shop or use the seating outdoors in Heroes' Square.

Am I able to bring my dog to an event?

You are welcome to visit the Arboretum with your dog on our event days, providing these are taking place within our regular opening hours. For the comfort and safety of all of our visitors please note that visitors with dogs may not have access to the full event experience, as some activities may be taking place indoors or in an environment unsuitable for four-legged friends.

 

Please also be aware that on event days our grounds may also be a lot busier than normal, and some dogs may not enjoy their experience.

 

Only assistance dogs are permitted in all event areas and at evening events.  

Why do dogs have to remain on leads?

The nature of our site means that some visitors may require peaceful contemplation. Whilst we understand most dogs and their owners will be respectful of others, this can only guaranteed if dogs are kept on their leads.

Can I take my dog on The Stick Man Trail?

Dogs are permitted on the Stick Man Trail, however we do ask that our visitors manage their dogs respectfully throughout the visit, being considerate of other visitors.

Can I take my dog on the Land Train or a buggy tour?
Only assistance dogs are allowed on the Land Train or buggy tours. 
Do you provide drinking bowls at the Arboretum?

We do not provide drinking bowls because our site is exposed to lots of wildlife which may make the water unsafe for pet dogs to consume. 

Fresh water is available from the Remembrance Centre. 

Can I leave my dog in my car?

We ask visitors not to leave their dogs in the cars on our car park.

Dogs at the Arboretum