Haddo Country Park and the Deer Park Urn, Tarves
Aberdeenshire
Haddo House, north of Tarves in Aberdeenshire, is the home of the Earls of Aberdeen, and its parkland was laid out in the 1800s by the fourth Earl, Prime Minister during the Crimean War. Dogs are welcome across the grassy parkland, free of grazing livestock, though a lead is best near the two play areas and bird hides. The house belongs to the National Trust for Scotland, and the surrounding country park is open every day. This 4.3km loop from the shared car park passes a sensory garden, a beech thought to have the largest trunk girth in Scotland and the ornate brick pheasantry, which has public toilets. It goes between two lakes and through ornate gates into the old deer park, climbing past two deer sculptures to a massive stone urn that commemorates the Earl's wife and children and looks straight back down to Haddo House. The return drops to a footbridge by a salmon ladder on the Ythan Burn, crosses the dam at the head of the main lake and returns past the front of the house. There is only 45 metres of climbing, on clear paths throughout.
This dog friendly country park is an easy, sociable walk for dogs, with grassy parkland and shade from the big trees. The National Trust for Scotland lists dogs as welcome, but keep your dog out of the lakes near the bird hides, on a lead around the two busy play areas, and under control, as pheasant shooting still takes place on the estate.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.3 km (2.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- Park, Lake, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Public toilets at the pheasantry and near the house; NTS Courtyard Cafe and shop at Haddo House (seasonal days); play areas.
- Parking
- Pay and display car park in the country park (not operated by NTS); free for NTS members visiting the house. Use postcode AB41 7LE for the Raxton crossroads access.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Haddo Country Park and the Deer Park Urn, Tarves, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in AberdeenshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Haddo Country Park and the Deer Park Urn, Tarves dog friendly?
Haddo Country Park scores a solid 8/10 for dog friendliness, and it's easy to see why — the National Trust for Scotland lists dogs as welcome across the grassy parkland, which is free of grazing livestock. The 4.3km loop offers gentle, open terrain with shade from mature trees and plenty of sniffing opportunities between the two lakes, making it a great choice for dogs of most ages and fitness levels.
Can dogs be off lead at Haddo Country Park and the Deer Park Urn, Tarves?
Dogs can enjoy a good degree of freedom across the open parkland, but there are a few spots where you'll want to keep them on a lead. The National Trust for Scotland asks that dogs are kept on a lead near the two play areas and under control around the bird hides, and it's worth knowing that pheasant shooting still takes place on the estate, so reliable recall is a plus.
What should I know before visiting Haddo Country Park and the Deer Park Urn, Tarves with my dog?
The country park is open every day, and there are public toilets at the pheasantry along the route as well as near the house — handy to know for longer visits. Parking is pay and display (free for NTS members visiting the house), and you can use postcode AB41 7LE for the Raxton crossroads access. A seasonal café and shop operate at Haddo House, though it's worth checking NTS opening days before you plan to stop for a coffee.
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