Brinkburn Priory
Morpeth, Northumberland
A complete 12th century monastic church, not a ruin, reached with your dog by a wooded walk down to a tight loop of the River Coquet.
Almost every great monastic church in English Heritage care is a ruin. Brinkburn is not, and that is the whole point of coming. Built in the 12th century and carefully restored in Victorian times, the church still stands complete, with unchanged medieval structure inside mingling with colourful Victorian fittings. Beside it sits a 19th century neo-Gothic manor house on the site of the old monastic buildings.
While you take in an intact monastic church, your dog gets the approach, which is half of it. The priory sits inside a tight loop of the River Coquet and you reach it by a scenic woodland walk down from the car park: river, mature woodland, deep leaf litter and the sound of water, with a fair bit of descent and climb back out.
Dogs on leads are welcome across the site. The car park is free with 20 to 25 spaces, about 400 metres from the priory, so the walk in is unavoidable and worth allowing time for. There are toilets, garden access and picnic seating, but no café.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dogs on leads are welcome across the site.
- Site Type
- Abbey & Church
- Entry
- Paid entry
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Gardens, Parking, Picnic seating, Toilets, Wheelchair access
- Telephone
- 0370 333 1181
- Parking
- The car park is free of charge and located around 400 metres from the site and has between 20 and 25 spaces. Coach and minibuses are advised to contact the site ahead of visiting.
English Heritage Membership
Sponsored
Visit here and 170+ dog friendly attractions for free
English Heritage Membership gets you free entry to 170+ dog friendly attractions across England, from castles and abbeys to Roman forts and prehistoric sites, plus free parking at most of them.
Become a memberWe earn a commission if you join English Heritage through these links. It costs you nothing extra and it does not affect which places we list or what we say about them.
Planning Your Visit
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- CLOSED
- Thursday
- CLOSED
- Friday
- 10:00 - 16:00
- Saturday
- CLOSED
- Sunday
- 10:00 - 16:00
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brinkburn Priory dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome at Brinkburn Priory, as long as they're kept on leads across the site. The approach to the priory is a highlight in itself — a scenic woodland walk down through mature trees alongside the River Coquet, so your dog will have plenty to enjoy before you even reach the church.
Are dogs allowed at Brinkburn Priory year round?
The listing confirms dogs are welcome at the site, but doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions. It's always worth checking directly with English Heritage if you're planning a visit at an unusual time of year, as opening arrangements can vary.
What should I know before visiting Brinkburn Priory with my dog?
Dogs must be kept on leads throughout the site. The free car park has around 20 to 25 spaces and sits roughly 400 metres from the priory, so you'll always have a woodland walk in and out — factor in a bit of extra time as there's a fair descent down to the river and a climb back up. There are toilets and picnic seating on site, but no café, so it's worth bringing your own refreshments.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Walk3.7 mi awayCragside Estate Circular Walk
Northumberland
Dog friendly Views of Cragside circular through Lord Armstrong's Victorian pleasure ground, leads-only on a National Trust estate of lakes, rhododendrons and rocky ridges.
Walk3.9 mi awaySimonside Ridge
Northumberland
A superb ridge walk with panoramic views and high off-lead potential across the open fell; excellent dog-friendly pubs in Rothbury for post-walk refreshment.
Walk4.1 mi awaySimonside Hills and Lordenshaws Circular
Northumberland
Dog friendly moorland circular over Iron Age rock art and the Simonside ridge, with classic Coquetdale views and big skies.
Walk4.3 mi awayRothbury to Cragside Estate Walk
Northumberland
Dog friendly walk linking Rothbury village with the Cragside Estate via the Coquet riverside and the back lanes, leads-only across the National Trust estate.
Attraction9.1 mi awayWarkworth Castle
Northumberland
A formidable Percy fortress above the Coquet, with the village, the river loop and Warkworth beach minutes away making it an excellent base with your dog.
Beach9.2 mi awayWarkworth Beach
Northumberland
A wide golden sandy beach at the mouth of the River Coquet near the stunning medieval village of Warkworth, with year-round dog access, no restrictions and excellent off-lead space.