Agatha Christie's Greenway among top dog-friendly National Trust properties

Two South Devon properties are among the eight best National Trust dog-friendly days out in the South West.

From coast and countryside to nature reserves, parklands and historic gardens, the National Trust and Devon-based natural pet food business Forthglade have worked together to improve facilities at these places to give every dog - and its owner - a great day out.

Improvements include dog-washing areas, drinking stations and increased waste bins, as well as better signage and downloadable walks for dog walkers.

And among the eight best in the South West are Coleton Fishacre near Kingswear and Greenway on the River Dart near Galmpton.

From formal terraces to woodland to explore, the sheltered coastal garden at Coleton Fishacre is varied and filled with year-round interest, and one of the few National Trust gardens to be RHS accredited.

Dog walkers can pick a route along the many paths that weave through glades, past tranquil ponds and be rewarded with pretty ocean views. Paths also lead straight onto the South West Coastal Path, with walks along undulating coastlines leading to peaceful dog-friendly beaches.

After a hearty stroll, dog owners can enjoy a bite to eat with their pooch in Café Coleton, with its covered outdoor seating. Dogs are welcome on short leads.

Meanwhile, Greenway is also popular with dog owners.

Called ‘the loveliest place in the world’ by Agatha Christie, whose home this was, Greenway is set in the 1950s when Agatha and her friends and family would stay here.

Dogs can enjoy the garden with their owners and then have a snack in the Barn Gallery Café there are also tethering rings in the courtyard.

Dogs welcome on leads in the garden, shop and cafe at Greenway.

The National Trust's dog-friendly initiative has been supported by adventurer and TV presenter Simon Reeve who said: “I love spending time in the great outdoors with my dogs, especially at this time of year when walks can refresh the mind and inspire ambitions and goals for the year ahead.

“I think it’s wonderful that the team at Forthglade and the National Trust are working together to ensure dogs are even more welcome at the places the Trust care for.

“But I also know not everyone wants a dog bounding around them, so by providing information about access for dogs at all National Trust places, this project is a win-win for everyone.”

From this month, every single National Trust place will carry a ‘pawprint rating’ or a description on its property webpage, and within the new Trust handbook highlighting the access arrangements for dogs.

Just look out for the new pawprint rating; three paws: best, two paws: good and one paw: standard.

The National Trust top dog-friendly places to visit in the region

1. Corfe Castle, Dorset
2. Heddon Valley, West Exmoor
3. Lanhydrock, Cornwall
4. Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum, near Barnstaple
5. Baggy Point, Croyde
6. Coleton Fishacre, Kingswear
7. Lorna Doone Valley, Lynton
8. Greenway, Galmpton