Gibside
Tyne and Wear
Gibside is a 600 acre Georgian landscape estate near Rowlands Gill in Gateshead, created for George Bowes in the 1740s and 50s as a grand statement of Whig politics and wealth, and now cared for by the National Trust. There is a genuine off-lead area for dogs near the Stables and a dog shower afterwards, though a lead is needed elsewhere, including near the cattle that graze some fields. The estate's Liberty Trail, a 3.8km loop, links its best-known features: the ruined Gibside Hall, the Palladian Chapel where the Bowes family are buried, the 43 metre Column to Liberty standing at the end of a long oak avenue, and the Walled Garden with its orchard and vegetable plots. The paths are woodland tracks that can be thin and muddy, with several slopes and some steps, following the wooded Derwent valley past the Orangery ruin and Octagon Pond.
This is a dog friendly estate with fifteen miles of paths in total and a genuine off-lead area near the Stables, though dogs must be kept on a lead elsewhere on the estate, including around the cattle that graze some of the open fields. There is a dog shower and treats available, and dogs are welcome inside the coffee shop as well as the outdoor seating. The woodland and riverside give plenty of scent and shade, and the Column to Liberty makes a good target for a there-and-back stroll if the full loop is too much. Parking is free, with toilets, a cafe and a play area on site.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.8 km (2.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Cafe and coffee shop (dogs welcome inside), toilets, dog shower, and a play area.
- Parking
- Free car park at Gibside, with electric vehicle charging points.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Gibside, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Stables At Lintz Green House
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £598 / 7 nights
The Cottage - Whittonstall
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £636 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in Tyne and WearFrequently Asked Questions
Is Gibside dog friendly?
Gibside is a genuinely welcoming place for dogs, earning a solid 8/10 on our dog-friendly rating. As well as fifteen miles of woodland and riverside paths to explore, there's a dog shower on site, treats available, and dogs are welcome inside the coffee shop as well as at the outdoor seating. Parking is free too, which always helps.
Can dogs be off lead at Gibside?
Yes, there is a designated off-lead area for dogs near the Stables, which is great for a proper run around. Elsewhere on the estate, dogs need to be kept on a lead — particularly around the cattle that graze some of the open fields.
What should I know before visiting Gibside with my dog?
The paths are largely woodland tracks that can be thin and muddy, with some slopes and steps, so it's worth wearing suitable footwear and being prepared for a bit of a workout. Cattle graze some of the fields, so leads are required in those areas, and the Liberty Trail loop is 3.8km — though the Column to Liberty makes a good shorter there-and-back if you don't want to do the full route. On the plus side, there's a dog shower at the end to clean up muddy paws before you head home.
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