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Dog-Friendly Christmas Guide 2026
Christmas is better with the whole family, four-legged members included. From carols for canines and festive markets to wintry beach walks and a day at the races, we've rounded up some of our favourite dog-friendly things to do across the East of England this season, all a short drive from our pubs and hotels.
Norfolk
Festive Fun at Holkham
Canine Carols
Monday 21st December
Dust off the festive jumper (yours and theirs!) for Holkham's carol service for dogs in the park beside the hall. All dogs are welcome and fancy dress is encouraged. Warm up afterwards at The Globe, just a couple of miles away in Wells-next-the-Sea.
Holkham Christmas Food, Drink & Gift Market
11th - 13th December | 10am - 4pm
More than 60 local producers set up at Holkham for a weekend of festive shopping. Dogs on leads are welcome at the outdoor stalls, so you can browse together for Christmas gifts.
Rather browse local brands online? Take a look at Chestnut General Store for gift ideas.
Beach Walks
Holkham & Wells Beaches
All season
Winter is the perfect time for a long walk along the sands and pinewoods between Wells and Holkham Gap. Dogs are welcome all year and, outside the spring and summer nesting season, can be off the lead. Do look out for the small dog-free areas where seals call it home though.
Brancaster Beach
All season
The National Trust's dog-free zone at Brancaster only applies in summer, so the whole beach is yours to explore this winter. It's a few minutes from Titchwell Manor and The Lifeboat Inn in Thornham, both ready with a fire to dry off by.
Hunstanton Beach
From 1st November
The seasonal 'no dogs' on Hunstanton's main beach and promenade lifts at the start of November, so winter walks beneath the striped cliffs are back on. Finish at Le Strange Arms or The Ancient Mariner Inn in Old Hunstanton.
Morston Quay & Cley Beach
All season
Dogs are welcome at Morston Quay, with water bowls outside shops, and on the beaches at Cley and Salthouse. Please note that Blakeney Point itself is closed to dogs from November to mid-January while the seal pups arrive. Head to The White Horse for a spot of lunch afterwards.
To discover more Dog Friendly Beaches across the region, click here.
Woodland & Estate Walks
Felbrigg Hall Estate
20th November - 23rd December | 11am - 3pm (closed Thursdays)
While the hall is dressed for Christmas at Felbrigg, dogs can explore almost the whole estate, from the parkland and woods to the lake, and they're welcome in the tea room and shop too.
Sheringham Park
All season
Woodland trails with views out to sea make Sheringham Park a lovely spot for a winter walk, with off-lead areas for dogs with good recall and a café that welcomes dogs on leads. The Maltings is just down the road.
Blickling Bounders
Mondays from 9th November - 28th December | 10am - 12pm
Join the National Trust's weekly dog walk at Blickling Estate, meeting at the Old School by the main car park. No booking is needed, and it's a great way for dogs (and owners) to make new friends. Stop at The Feathers in Holt on your way home.
Sandringham Royal Parkland
All season
Around 20,000 acres of royal parkland are open to dogs, and they're welcome in the Courtyard shop too, so be sure to get some Christmas shopping done too. A great way to work up an appetite for dinner The Gin Trap Inn in Ringstead.
Titchwell Marsh
All season
Follow the RSPB's West Bank Path across the marshes to the beach, spotting winter wildfowl along the way. Dogs need to be on leads and stay on this path, as the other trails are dog-free, but Titchwell Manor is right next door for a cosy coffee spot or lunch.
Suffolk
Festive Days Out
Bury St Edmunds Christmas Lights Event
Thursday 19th November | 3pm - 8pm
Bury's free festive launch evening welcomes dogs on leads, so bring them along for the stalls, stage acts and the lights coming on at dusk. The Weeping Willow in Barrow is a short drive away.
Santa Paws at Dobbies, Bury St Edmunds
Selected dates in December
Book your dog a grotto visit with Santa, complete with a professional photo and a gift to take home. It's a lovely one for the Christmas card.
Christmas Trees at Rougham Estate
20th November - 23rd December
Pick up a locally grown tree from the barn at Rougham, where well-behaved dogs are welcome to help choose the family Christmas tree!
Christmas at Ickworth
16th November - 3rd January | 10am - 4pm (closed 24th - 25th December)
While the house is dressed for the season, dogs on leads can enjoy Ickworth's parkland, woodland and walled garden. Don't miss the Porter's Lodge café, which even serves dog cupcakes. The Weeping Willow is around five miles away.
Helmingham Hall Illuminated Garden Trail
12th November - 19th December
Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome on Helmingham's evening light trail through the historic moated gardens. Tickets must be booked in advance. Head out to the coast for dinner by the fire at The Westleton Crown.
Winter Walks
Constable Country Walk
All season
Follow the National Trust's longer riverside route along the Stour between Manningtree, Flatford and Dedham or our shorter route for a mostly flat walk through the landscape of Constable's paintings. Dogs are welcome, and The Red Lion makes the perfect finishing point.
Long Melford to Sudbury Three Mills Walk
All season
A mostly flat 5.5-mile walk past Borley and Brundon mills to Sudbury. Pack your wellies, as it can be muddy, and keep dogs on leads where livestock are grazing. The Black Lion in Long Melford is ready with bar snacks and seasonal dishes when you get back!
Southwold Beach
All season
The summer 'no dogs' on Southwold beach ends in October, so winter walks by the pier and Gun Hill are back on! Browse the independent boutiques in the town, find some last-minute Christmas gifts, and finish with a stroll.
Sutton Hoo Estate
All season
While the Yule displays are for people only, dogs on short leads can join you on Sutton Hoo's estate walks and in the café and shop. Make a day of it with dinner at The Westleton Crown.
Essex
Audley End House & Gardens
Christmas Markets 11th - 13th December | 10am - 4pm
Dogs on leads are welcome in Audley End's grounds and gardens, including the parterre and serpentine lake. Time your walk with the Christmas Markets for a festive weekend, then head to The Eight Bells, just down the road in Saffron Walden.
Hatfield Forest
All season
Wander among ancient trees in this medieval royal hunting forest, where dogs with good recall can explore off the lead across most of the forest.
Dedham Vale River Walk
All season
Follow the Stour from Flatford to Dedham on a riverside walk through Constable Country, with dogs on leads. A perfect Boxing Day stroll before lunch at The Crown in Stoke-by-Nayland.
All Aboard
Santa Trains at Colne Valley Railway
Most of December
The whole family can hop aboard a vintage train at Castle Hedingham to visit Santa in his grotto, and there's a present for everyone, dogs too! Tickets must be booked in advance, with no walk-ins. Afterwards, settle in by the fire at The Anchor in Nayland.
Cambridgeshire & Newmarket
Huntingdon
Peterborough Chase Raceday
Sunday 6th December | Gates open 10.15am
Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome at Huntingdon Racecourse, so bring them along for the course's biggest race of the year. Dogs can't go into the bars or hospitality areas, but wrap up warm for a family-friendly occasion.
Festive Fiver Raceday
Monday 21st December | Gates open 10.30am
A pre-Christmas day at the races, with prizes for the best Christmas jumpers. The same dog rules apply, and The Old Bridge is just five minutes away.
Hinchingbrooke Country Park
All season
Lakes, woodland and grassland, and you may spot kingfishers and otters if you're lucky. Dogs are welcome under control, and on leads in the Wildlife Area.
Paxton Pits Nature Reserve
All season
Former gravel workings turned lakes and meadows, and one of the best places in the county to see winter wildfowl. Dogs are welcome on leads or under close control, but keep them out of the water.
East of Cambridge
Fleam Dyke Winter Walk
All season
Recommended by the parish council as a winter walk, this circuit follows the Anglo-Saxon earthwork past the Mutlow Hill tumulus and loops back through Great Wilbraham - starting just around the corner from The Carpenters Arms.
Wicken Fen
All season
Big fenland skies and wintering birds make Wicken Fen a great walking spot. Dogs are welcome on the paths around Baker's, Adventurers' and Burwell Fens, and in the visitor centre on short leads.
Newmarket
Newmarket Heath
All season (from 1pm, or 11am on Sundays)
Walk the famous training grounds on one of five waymarked trails, once the morning gallops have finished. Finish with lunch at The Packhorse Inn in Moulton.
Devil's Dyke
All season
Follow the huge Anglo-Saxon earthwork across the Heath for long views over the racing landscape, keeping dogs on leads near sheep. The dyke ends close to The Three Blackbirds in Woodditton.
Dog-Friendly at Chestnut
After a muddy winter walk, there's nowhere better to settle in than by the fire at one of our pubs or Big House hotels, with your four-legged friend at your feet.
Christmas Stays
Thinking about bringing the whole family for Christmas? Let us know you're bringing your dog when you book, and we'll make sure everything is ready for your arrival. To take a look at our Christmas Stay Package, click here.
Christmas Gifting
Treat the dog lover in your life to a Chestnut gift voucher, or browse our new General Store for seasonal gifts, wine and Connock England home fragrance, all delivered across the UK.
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