UK parkruns with landowner dog-restrictions

Below is a list of parkruns where the landowner has restrictions on dogs. This may be a 'dogs on leads at all time' policy or a complete ban.

It is not a list of all parkruns that do not allow dogs due to things like narrow paths. 

It is designed to help people that might be afraid or nervous of dogs.

The Equality Act 2010 makes it a legal requirement for businesses to allow access for assistance dogs with only a few exceptions to this, so even with bans in place most venues may still legally have to allow assistance dogs on-site.

Public Space Protection Orders - Breaching a PSPO is held to be a criminal offence and can incur an 'on-the-spot' fixed-penalty-notice of £100, or if it goes to court can be up-to £1000. The PSPO must be reviewed and renewed every three years.

The Royal Parks and other deer parks may have dog restrictions during certain times of year. Rutting season or lambing season. 

A huge thank you to all of the people from the UK parkrun Tourist Facebook group that suggested venues from the list. 

If you are aware of a venue which has a policy that is not on this list, feel free to let me know and I will investigate.

Venues where the landowner places restrictions on dogs

Battlestead Croft parkrun, Burton-Upon-Trent, Staffordshire

• The parkrun takes place within Burton Rugby Football Club (known as Battlestead Croft). The rugby club does allow dogs on-site, but they must remain on a lead at all times. Dogs must not go onto any of the rugby fields. 
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: I can't find a policy page on their website, but they have a news article which confirms the policy.
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Bedfont Lakes parkrun, London

• Bedfont Lakes Country Park has a 'dogs on leads' Public Spaces Protection Order which states that dogs are allowed in the park but must be on a lead at all times in all of the general areas. Dogs may only be off-lead within the designated dog exercise area.
• Dogs are allowed to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: London Borough of Hounslow Responsible Dog Ownership Protection Order (includes a map of the exact areas covered)
• blog7t write-up: Bedfont Lakes parkrun write-up (2026)

Belton House parkrun, Belton, Lincolnshire

• Belton House and it's grounds is run by the National Trust. The landowner requests that dogs are kept on a short lead while on-site.
• Dogs are allowed to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: The National Trust's Visiting Belton with a dog Web page. 
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Bolberry Down parkrun, Malborough, Devon

• The National Trust manage the land and their website advises that dogs on leads are welcome.
• Dogs are allowed to take part in the parkrun
• Further information: The National Trust Bolberry Down information page 
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Chesterford Research Park parkrun, Essex

• Chesterford Research Park does not allow dogs on-site. This policy helps maintain a professional and safe environment for all tenants and visitors. In line with the law, assistance dogs are allowed.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Cirencester parkrun, Gloucestershire

• The Royal Agricultural University has a dogs policy which is generally directed towards the staff and students. Strictly no dogs are allowed inside any of the buildings. Dogs must not be left (stored) in vehicles. If a dog is brought onto the external grounds it must be kept on a lead at all times.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: The RAU website has a policies and procedures page which has a link to a document which outlines the dog (animal) policy in full. Please note that this is part of the student handbook.
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Downham Market Academy, Norfolk

• Takes place wholly within the Downham Market Academy school grounds and dogs are not allowed onsite. Exception for assistance dogs.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: There doesn't appear to be a page on their website that covers this. I found the answer via an AI search.
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Eden Project, Cornwall

• The Eden Project is a private site and the general policy is that dogs can be brought onsite, but they must be kept on a lead at all times. Further to this there are some areas where they are forbidden (playgrounds / greenhouses etc).
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: Eden Project has a Visiting Eden Project with your dog information page.
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Fire Service College parkrun, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire

• The Fire Service College does not allow dogs within the grounds. Part of the reason is that they train service dogs and the scents left behind by other dogs can disrupt the training. They are very serious about this and I have heard of people turning up with a dog and being refused entry.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: All the information I found was through the parkrun website and search results, but I couldn't find an official Fire Service page on their dog policy.
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Flegg High parkrun, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

• Flegg High Ormiston Academy is a school and does not allow dogs onsite.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Fountains Abbey parkrun, Ripon, Yorkshire

• Fountains Abbey is a National Trust property and grounds. The general policy is that dogs are allowed on-site but must be kept on a short lead at all times.
• Dogs are allowed to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: The National Trust's Dog walking at Fountains Abbey webpage.
• blog7t write-up: Fountains Abbey parkrun write-up (2022)

Great Cornard parkrun, Great Cornard, Suffolk

• Takes place at Thomas Gainsborough School which does not allow dogs on site.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Great Cornard parkrun write-up (2014 - old) 

Harcourt Hill, Oxford, Oxfordshire 

• Brookes Sport Botley is based on the Harcourt Hill University campus. Dogs are not allowed on-site.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Hastings High School, Hinckley, Leicestershire 

• Takes place within the school grounds and there is a no dogs on site policy. 
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Hazelwood parkrun, Surrey

• Takes place at Hazelwood which is a private sports ground and does not allow dogs on-site.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Hazelwood parkrun write-up (2018)

Henlow Bridge Lakes, Bedfordshire

• The public footpath (the route the parkrun uses) is owned by Henlow Lakes and Riverside Ltd and has a rule that dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.
• Dogs can participate in the parkrun.
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Henlow Bridge Lakes parkrun write-up (2024)

Holkham parkrun, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

• The grounds of Holkham Hall have a rule that dogs are welcome but must remain on a lead at all times. Dogs are not allowed into the main house. 
• Dogs can participate at the parkrun
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Jubilee parkrun, Spennymoor, County Durham

• Victoria Jubilee Park is managed by Spennymoor Town Council. Dogs are strictly prohibited within the confines of the park.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: Spennymoor Town Council has a webpage for the park which confirms the policy
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Kirkharle Courtyard parkrun, Kirkharle, Northumberland

• This landowner allows members of the public to bring dogs onto the estate, but they must be kept on a lead.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun
• Further information: Kirkharle Courtyard website gives some information on their walks page.
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Markshall Estate parkrun, Coggeshall, Essex (EVENT CLOSED)

• Markshall Estate allows members of the public to bring dogs on site. The only part of the grounds they are not allowed is the walled garden which is not part of the parkrun course. Their doggy code of conduct asks that owners keep dogs on a short lead at all times.
• Dogs are allowed to take part in parkrun. 
• Further information: Markshall Estate Doggy Code of Conduct. 
• blog7t write-up: Markshall Estate parkrun write-up (2022)

Millom parkrun, Millom, Cumbria

• Takes place wholly on a school sports field. The school does not allow dogs on-site. 
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Newent parkrun, Newent, Gloucestershire

• Takes place wholly on school grounds. The school does not allow dogs on-site.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Oakland College parkrun, St Albans, Hertfordshire

• Takes place within the Oakland College grounds. When the event first started the landowner allowed dogs onsite provided they were kept on a lead at all times. However, there were multiple incidents of dogs being allowed off their leads, and the dog owners were not cleaning up the dogs mess. So in September 2025 the college changed their policy and dogs are no longer allowed on-site.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: The Oaklands College parkrun facebook article announcing the change of policy.
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Ormskirk parkrun, Ormskirk, Lancashire

• Takes place wholly on the grounds of Edge Hill University. The university does not allow dogs on site.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: Edge Hill University animal policy document
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Penrith parkrun, Penrith, Cumbria

• Takes place on the Frenchfield Sports Centre playing fields. The local council has a PSPO which classifies the sports fields at Frenchfield as a dog exclusion area. It is an offence to take a dog on-site.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: Westmoreland and Furness Council PSPO document
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School parkrun, Horncastle, Lincolnshire

• Takes place wholly within the grounds of Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School. The school does not allow dogs anywhere on its site including the car park.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Soham village college parkrun, Soham, Cambridgeshire

• Takes place wholly within the grounds of Soham Village College. The college does not allow dogs on-site.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Somerdale Pavilion parkrun, Keynsham, Somerset

• Takes place on a sports ground, specifically on the Shamcross Cyclocross course. The landowner does not allow dogs on the grass areas. Please note that there is a b-course which may use a footpath that is not covered by the landowner's restriction. 
• Dogs are Not permitted to take part in the parkrun. 
• Further information: Somerdale Pavilion website
• blog7t write-up: Somderdale Pavilion parkrun write-up (2023)

Street parkrun, Street, Somerset

• Takes place within the grounds of Strode College Sports Centre and dogs are not allowed on-site.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun,
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Swaffham parkrun, Swaffham, Norfolk

• Takes place within the grounds of Nicholas Hamond Academy. Dogs are not allowed on site.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Thonock Lane Farm parkrun, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire

• The venue is a working farm with animals present. The landowner does not allow dogs on-site.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Thoulstone parkrun, Westbury, Wiltshire

• Thoulston is a private estate. In general dogs are allowed on the grounds but must be kept on a lead. There is a separate fenced dog park where dogs can be let off their leads. The parkrun course goes through an area where sheep may be present.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun. 
• Further information:
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Wakehurst, Sussex

• Takes place at Kew Wakehurst. The landowner has a dog policy which allows dogs on site but restricts where they can be taken. Dogs are not allowed in most of the formal areas. The general parkland paths largely allow dogs to be present but must be kept on a lead. There is a specific area where dogs can be let off their leads. 
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further in formation: The Kew Wakehurst website has a bringing dogs to Wakehurst page which also includes a map.
• blog7t write-up: Wakehurst parkrun write-up (2024)

Walthamstow parkrun, London

• Takes place at the Peter May Sports Ground. This is a private sports ground which operates a no dogs on-site policy.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Walthamstow parkrun write-up (2023)

Wimpole Estate parkrun, Royston, Cambridgeshire

• Takes place at National Trust Wimpole Estate. The National Trust allow dogs on-site but they must be kept on a lead at all times.
• Dogs are allowed to participate in the parkrun.
• Further information: Visiting Wimpole Estate with your dog
• blog7t write-up: Wimpole Estate parkrun write-up (2013 - many details may now be out of date)

Torbay Velopark parkrun, Paignton, Devon

• Takes place within the grounds of the velopark. Dogs are not allowed on-site.
• Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun
• Further information: TBC
• blog7t write-up: Not visited

Please note: Information contained within the blog posts, such as the course configuration, parking arrangements, restrictions on dogs, availability of toilets etc, may change. Please always check with the relevant events' web page and social media channels for the latest and most accurate information.

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Suggestions from fellow parkrunners which I have checked and either do not meet the requirement above, or I have not found enough information and some further research may still be required.

Andover - The parkrun does not allow dogs due to narrow paths, but there are no further restrictions for the wider park.

Barry Island - more work required

Cannon Hill - parkrun does not allow dogs, but the wider park has no real restrictions

Chilton Fields - Initially was no dogs on-site. Permission was changed in March 2022 to allow parkrunners to participate with a dog. Unsure if general dog access is allowed - more research required.

Chipping Norton School - Dogs are not permitted within the school grounds. However the parkrun course leaves the school grounds and goes into William Fowler Memorial Wood, and I can't see any restrictions on dogs within the woods. Dogs are not allowed to participate in the parkrun.

Chipping Sodbury (under review) - The parkrun takes place on The Ridings which is an open grass space which falls under the remit of Chipping Sodbury Rugby Club. The rugby club have a policy that dogs are not permitted at the parkrun. However it is unclear whether members of the public are permitted to walk their dogs while the parkrun takes place.

Clair parkrun - Dogs are not permitted to take part in the parkrun due to the narrow paths. The wider park has no other restrictions on dogs.

Colchester Castle - The landowner does not allow dogs in the Upper Park. The parkrun uses both the upper and lower sections. Dogs are allowed in the lower area. 

Dogs are not allowed to participate in the parkrun

Dover Waterfront - The parkrun does not allow dogs to participate. However I can't see anything that would stop members of the public walking their dogs along the promenade. It is alongside a road so I would expect them to be on a lead.

Egham Orbit - The parkrun does not allow dogs. The Leisure centre does not allow dogs on its sports fields during any organised events. However I understand that the parkrun course goes outside of the leisure centre's remit and onto the adjacent grass area, where dogs may still be allowed.

Exeter Riverside - The Exeter Riverside Valley Park does not appear to have any restrictions on dogs. The parkrun does not allow dogs and I understand that this is because part of the course goes onto the land owned by the adjacent university, who do not allow dogs on their fields.

Hackworth - There is a PSPO in place for this venue which bans dogs from being inside any fenced off area in the borough's parks. The parkrun goes through a fenced off playground, so dogs are not permitted to take part in the parkrun. However dogs the rest of the park does not appear to have any restrictions.

Ifield Mill Pond - The parkrun does not allow dogs. However there are no further restrictions on members of the public bringing dogs into the park. 

Lochend woods - research indicates that the woodland part of the course has no restriction on dogs. The parkrun does not allow dogs. 

Meadowmill - Dogs may not be allowed on the sports fields. The parkrun route also uses a public footpath which may have no formal restrictions on dogs. Dogs are Not permitted to take part in the parkrun. 

North Walsham - The main part of the course is within the school grounds, which does not allow dogs. However the route also leaves the school and goes into the adjacent park which has no restrictions on dogs. The parkrun does not allow dogs.

Norwich - Eaton Park has no general restrictions on dogs within the park, except for inside the playground. The parkrun does not allow dogs.

Old Deer Park parkrun - There is a PSPO that covers all of Richmond's parks. It has a number of restrictions, however, I can't find any info that suggests that members of the public and their dogs are restricted at Old Deer Park. There are restrictions on dogs being on Richmond's sports fields, but this only seems to apply when the sports field is surrounded by a fence or a hedge. I also note that there is another area which is also called Old Deer Park, but this is a separate private sports ground. The parkrun does NOT allow dogs at the event. This one is under review because I may not fully understand what the rule is for the park in general.

Sharpham Estate parkrun - Livestock is present on and around the course. The landowner does not allow dogs onsite for parkrun. I understand that cows are sometimes present around the finish area. However, the parkrun takes place on a footpath where dog walkers may be present. Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.

Shepton Mallet - Takes place in Collett Park. The park itself has a by-law which means that dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. However a subsequent PSPO allows dog owners to unleash their dogs in the park.Dogs are NOT permitted to take part in the parkrun.