Tucked away in the suburbs of West London is Osterley Park and House, one of London’s last remaining country estates which also happens to be dog-friendly. Residing majestically in the urban suburb of Hounslow, a visit to dog-friendly Osterley Park and House will make you think you have gone much further afield than zone 4 on the Piccadilly line. Osterley Park and House is another of London’s National Trust properties and just as when we’ve previously visited dog-friendly Ham House and Garden and Morden Hall Park, we’ll share with you all you need to know about visiting with your dog for a day out.
Dog-Friendly Osterley Park and House | A Country Estate in London
The Osterley estate was originally built in 1570 before being transformed into the ‘palace’ that it is today by architect Robert Adam in the 18th century for the Child family (of Child’s Bank) to entertain and impress their friends and clients. The Osterley Park estate comprises of a spectacular neo-classical mansion house and colourful formal gardens surrounded by miles of park and farmland that give the perfect opportunity to escape the city yet be right on its doorstep.
As with other National Trust properties, dogs aren’t allowed inside Osterley House but can take advantage of the fabulous estate which has plenty to keep pups entertained.
The formal gardens are also off limits to four paws during the spring and summer months but from November to late February, Osterley offers ‘Winter Walkies’ when humans and hounds are allowed to explore the formal gardens but this does incur the house entry charge.
Where are dogs allowed?
So where (and where aren’t) dogs allowed when visiting Osterley Park and House?
As mentioned inside the house (all year) and formal gardens (during Spring/Summer) are off limits as is the gift shop. However, humans and hounds can imagine what it was like to enter the magnificent mansion by strolling up the impressive stone steps leading to the portico.
When it’s time for refueling, dogs are welcomed in the stableyard café and courtyard area and may even be able to persuade their human to get them one of the doggy sausages on offer.
Or why not bring a picnic and enjoy it with Osterley House as your backdrop.
Osterley Park and House | The Park
As you enter Osterley Park, you are greeted with fields of grazing Charolais cattle who really do make you feel you’ve escaped to the countryside.
Dogs can then explore the sprawling estate to their heart’s content. In the area in front of Osterley House and near the café dogs are asked to stay on a lead, but once away from that area, dogs can go off lead and enjoy the park, woodland and even a swim in one of the lakes although there are free-roaming wildfowl so do be respectful of their space. You can pick up a map when you arrive or the map is also online, showing the off-lead dog area.
The estate is certainly big enough to tire out active pups who like to run around, especially if they have a swim too but it’s also not too much for dogs that aren’t quite as mobile as you can still have a lovely shorter walk in the off lead area by the water.
After our walk, we took some time out relaxing under the trees and it was a wonderfully peaceful way to spend a few hours.
Our Visit…Was it a Paws Up?
Paws up for…
- A visit to dog-friendly Osterley Park and House is a really relaxing way to feel like you’ve goe to the countryside yet not leave the capital
- There is plenty of parkland for pups to explore and even swimming opportunities
- Plenty of space in the stables café for dogs (and doggy sausages too)
- Osterley House is truly magnificent even just from the outside
- There is no entry charge if you are just visiting the grounds
Paws for thought…
- Although we had the map, we found it quite hard to decipher the boundaries of the off-lead area so this could be better signposted. In the end, we followed the lead of other dog walkers.
- Other than that we loved it!
Osterley Park and House | Essential Info
Opening Times
The parkland is open every day from 7:30am to 7pm except Christmas day and the Stables Café is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Osterley house is open until 4pm and the formal gardens until 5pm. More info on opening times here.
Getting There
- Driving: If driving to Osterley Park and House, there is plenty of parking on site. For National Trust members this is free but for non-members, this is £7 for the day unless you find parking on the road outside of Osterley Park.
- Public Transport: If coming by public transport, then it is easy to get to Osterley Park and House:
- By Tube: Osterley Tube Station is just 10 minutes walk away
- By Train: If you are coming by train then Isleworth station is approx. 20 minutes walk
- By Bus: The H91 goes from Hammersmith to Osterley Tube Station
Costs
As previously mentioned, aside from parking or transport costs, it won’t cost you anything to visit the grounds of dog-friendly Osterley Park which for pups, is where the fun is to be had.
If you do wish to visit Osterley House, the adult individual price is £12.00 during Spring / Summer which is the non gift aid price. However, if you’re a National Trust Member it’s free to visit (individual adult membership costs £72 a year and gives you access to all National Trust properties across the UK as well as several in Europe).
WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED OUR VISIT TO DOG-FRIENDLY OSTERLEY PARK AND HOUSE!
FOR MORE DOG-FRIENDLY INSPIRATION, CHECK OUT OUR OTHER DOG-FRIENDLY LONDON FEATURES.
