Ashridge Estate, on the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire border, is the sort of place where a dog can go from woodland to open chalk hillside in one walk. The National Trust warns that wild deer can appear anywhere on the estate at any time, so if your dog is off the lead it needs to be under reliable control. Chasing deer is stressful for them and can end badly for everyone involved.
Three things have a Hertfordshire page: trainers, vets and swimming. Four don’t (sitters, groomers, rescue and pet transport), and each of those points to a UK-wide guide. That’s the full picture, and the list below follows it line by line. The rest of the county is market towns, commuter suburbs and countryside that our guides don’t yet reach.
What’s covered in Hertfordshire
- Dog trainers: Dog trainers in Hertfordshire
- Vets: Best vets in Hertfordshire
- Dog swimming spots: Where to take your dog swimming in Hertfordshire
- Dog sitters: no Hertfordshire town has its own sitters page yet, so please use our UK dog sitters directory.
- Dog groomers: likewise, no local page yet. The UK dog groomers guide is the place to look.
- Adoption and rescue: we don’t have a Hertfordshire guide, so see our UK-wide dog adoption and rescue guide.
- Pet transport: no Hertfordshire city page, so see our UK pet transport guide.
Walking with grazing and nesting in mind
On common land and open access land, the National Trust says bird nesting season runs from 1 March to 31 July and dogs should be on leads. At Ashridge, the Ivinghoe Hills sheep areas call for a short lead at all times, even when you can’t see a sheep. A short lead is usually the simplest way to stay on the right side of the rules.
Ponds on the estate can be deep and boggy, and the Trust asks walkers to keep dogs out of them. Our Hertfordshire swimming guide is a better starting point for where a dip is a good idea.
After a muddy walk
After a chalk-and-woodland walk, a rinse and a proper towel-down go a long way.
Everyday extras
If you’re thinking about supplements for your dog, Calmshops has a dog vitamins and supplements collection to look at. Check with your vet before you add anything to their routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AboutDogs list Hertfordshire groomers?
Not at county or town level yet. For groomers and sitters we link to our UK-wide guides rather than imply local coverage we don’t have.
Does my dog need to be on a lead at Ashridge Estate?
The National Trust asks for dogs to be on a lead at all times in the sheep areas on Ivinghoe Hills, and on leads during nesting season (1 March to 31 July) on common and open access land. Elsewhere, an off-lead dog needs to be under reliable control. Check the Trust’s current guidance before you visit.
Where can my dog swim in Hertfordshire?
Our Hertfordshire swimming guide lists the places we know about. Rules can change, so check each venue’s signs or website before you go.
Written by Georgiana & Figo. Ashridge’s deer are best admired from a distance.
