Kent is a doggie holiday heaven and welcomes pooches with open paws all year round.

Its canine-friendly beaches and prime dog-walking countryside across two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are a given – but did you know that there are lots of dog-friendly attractions in Kent too?

So why not take a look at our top 10 picks of pooch-friendly places to visit and plan a Kent getaway where no-one misses out on the fun?

1 A River Tour of Canterbury

Canterbury Historic River Tours by Karen Roe

Doggie info: Dog-friendly. All outside, so great for dogs.
Opening times: March 1 – November 1 2016; 10am – 5pm (tours leave every 15-20 minutes).
Details: As one of the country’s oldest cities, Canterbury is a must to visit and the hustle and bustle of city life shouldn’t put you off visiting with your dog. Why not book a wonderful river trip by boat or punt for a relaxing and slightly different Canterbury experience? There are a number of different guided tours on offer and Fido goes free! Try an award-winning tour with Canterbury Historic River Tours or the Canterbury Punting Company and let your friendly and informative guide row you gently down the River Stour. You’ll glide effortlessly (on your part anyway) past the sights without the crowds or stress of city life!

2 Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest

Bedgebury National Pinetum by Henry Hemming

Where: near Flimwell TN17 2SJ.
Doggie info: Dogs are welcome off-lead in the forest and on leads in the Pinetum and children’s play areas.
Opening times: Open all year.
Details: Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is home to the world’s most impressive collection of conifers and offers plenty of activities for a full day of fun for all ages. A great place for outdoor enthusiasts, you can enjoy walking or cycling and the kids can let off some steam at the Go Ape tree top adventure. Back on terra firma, your four-legged friends will be in stick heaven on the forest walks, with plenty of space for them to enjoy some off-lead exercise. Bedgbury is also home to an excellent children’s adventure play trail and has great picnic areas and a scrummy café where your pooch will receive a warm welcome. How refreshing!
P.S. The Go Ape tree top adventure centre at Leeds Castle, boasting a 250m long zip wire, is also dog-friendly.

3 Belmont House & Gardens

Belmont Gardens by MattLake

Where: Throwley ME13 0HH.
Doggie info: Dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens.
Opening times: The gardens are open all year; 10am – 6pm (or dusk if earlier).
Details: Belmont House and Gardens is an amazing hidden gem tucked away down many a winding country lane only 10 minutes from Manor Farmhouse. The beautiful gardens are a treat for green-fingered fans and dogs on leads – your canine pals are more than welcome here. Plus there’s somewhere to get tea and a cake with an honesty box when the house is closed…how often do you see that these days?

4 Biddenden Vineyards

Biddenden Vineyards by Ewan Munro

Where: Biddenden TN27 8DF.
Doggie info: Dogs on leads are welcome.
Opening times: Open all year.
Details: Biddenden Vineyards is a warm and friendly place that welcomes families and their dogs on leads all year around. Why not grab a map and explore the 22-acre vineyard for yourself – it’s completely free and there are two routes to follow round the grounds. Founded by the Barnes family in 1969, Biddenden is Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard. Ten varieties of vine produce a range of reds, whites, rosés and sparkling wines – alongside Biddenden’s strong Kentish ciders and apple juices. There is a delightful shop for free tastings and locally produced products as well as a tea room. The vineyard also provides free guided one hour tours on Saturdays all year round and Wednesdays from June to September (vines, presses, bottling line etc) for which pre-booking is essential. We’ll drink to that…

5 Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway

Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway by Penny Mayes

Where: Bredgar ME9 8AT.
Doggie info: Dogs are welcome.
Opening times: Light Railway open days are the first Sunday of each month from April to October.
Details: Check out the Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway, one of the best narrow-gauge railways in the UK, within barking distance of Manor Farmhouse. This steam train service runs along the line between Warren Wood and Stony Shaw, through attractive Kent countryside. It boasts 11 restored steam locomotives plus steam traction engines, but this railway is much more than just a train ride. Open days include unlimited rides on the trains, access to the museum and grounds and rides behind one of the traction engines or vintage tractors – bound to keep your little’uns occupied! The whole setting is family orientated and pooch-friendly with space to fly a kite and kick a ball. Or head off for a ‘paw-some’ walk in the pretty woodland. You’ll find plenty of space for a picnic whilst watching the trains go by and there is a tea room serving delicious home-made cakes.

6 Chartwell

Chartwell by Manhattan Research Inc

Where: Westerham TN16 1PS.
Doggie info: Well-behaved dogs with responsible owners are welcome on leads in the garden and estate. Dogs are not allowed in the house.
Opening times: Garden opens from February 27 – December 31 2016, from 10am.
Details: For 26 years, Winston Churchill loved returning to his home of Chartwell. The prolific historian and war-time Prime Minister bought the house for its stunning views over the Weald of Kent. The immediate estate of Chartwell is beautiful and big and welcomes dogs on leads. However this area is so brilliant for exploring, being kept on leads is no problem at all. Whether you have all day or half an hour, it is well worth a visit. There is a stunning five mile circular walk which winds through the grounds to neighbouring Emmetts Garden as well as a shorter 1.7 mile hoof if you have less time. It’s perfect for a picnic and you can treat your tired out ‘pack’ afterwards to a well-earned breather in the café.

7 Doddington Place Gardens

Doddington Place Gardens by Loz Pycock

Where: Sittingbourne? ME9 0BB.
Doggie info: Dogs on leads welcome.
Opening times: Open Sundays, Wednesdays and Bank Holidays
from March 27 – September 30 2016, 11am – 5pm.
Details: A trip to Doddington Place Gardens is full of surprises so we won’t spoil it for you here. Just a bone’s throw away from Manor Farmhouse, over ten acres of lovely landscaped gardens and a fabulous woodland walk await. There’s free parking and fabulous tea rooms where you and your canine chum can refresh. And you’ll probably have the bonus of seeing the Hawking Birds of Prey display thrown in to make for a great afternoon out.

8 Mount Ephraim Gardens

Mount Ephraim Gardens by Pam Fray

Where: Hernhill ME13 9TX.
Doggie info: Dogs on leads are very welcome.
Opening times: Open Wednesday – Sunday and Bank Holidays from March 27 – October 2 2016; 11am – 5pm.
Details: These charming Edwardian gardens are doggie friendly and offer plenty of inspiration for green-fingered visitors. There’s so much to explore in Mount Ephraim’s spectacular 10 acres, including a topiary garden, rose terraces, Japanese rock and water garden and a woodland area, that you can pootle about all day. Take on the challenge of the Mizmaze, a labyrinth created from tall grasses and wildflowers, enjoy a picnic and unwind on the Edwardian tea room terrace. Mount Ephraim gardens have the power to charm your whole pack.

9 The Historic Dockyard Chatham

© The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Where: Chatham ME4 4TE.
Doggie info: Pooches are allowed on site but must be kept on a lead at all times. They are not allowed in galleries.
Opening times: February 13 – November 27 2016; from 10am.
Details: Discover the 80 acres of maritime heritage that is The Historic Dockyard Chatham. This award-winning attraction is the world’s most complete dockyard from the age of sail and is home to a remarkable range of iconic buildings, historic warships and museum galleries together with excellent family activities, outstanding exhibitions and a programme of year-round events. Dogs on leads are welcome to enjoy this great day out with you but they are not allowed in the galleries (you may need to take it in turns when viewing these!). You can also try and spot the buildings used in the film sets of Les Miserables, Call The Midwife and Mr Selfridge, to name just a few.

10 Whitstable

Whitstable beach by Manhattan Research Inc

Details: Whitstable is one of England’s most beautiful coastal towns, brimming with artists, boutiques, excellent dining, delicious local ales and gorgeous scenic walks. Its muttley-mobbed beaches (and high street!) are dog-friendly all year round. You can try out one of the numerous Egon Bone-ay eateries and pubs here, including the Old Neptune on the beach – in the summer, they have barbecues every day. Your pooch will also receive a warm welcome at the Duke of Cumberland pub and Birdies Bistro, amongst others. Whitstable also hosts one of the biggest events on Kent’s calendar, the annual Oyster Festival (July 22 – 31 2016), a weeklong celebration of the area’s famous oyster trade – with food, music and revelry aplenty!

What else?

Manor Farmhouse, Milstead

Why not book a stay at one of our pooch-friendly Kent cottages for a week away or for a long weekend? With lots of space outside for your canine pals to let off steam as well as the huge variety of dog-friendly attractions in Kent for you all to enjoy, the whole family can look forward to a holiday together.