Oakham Castle

Oakham Castle is a rare dog-friendly castle near Stamford, where your lead-wearing companion can join you inside the historic Great Hall and explore the castle grounds. It's one of the few heritage sites that explicitly welcomes dogs in its main indoor attraction, making it a brilliant short stop for history-loving owners who prefer not to leave the dog in the car. The Great Hall houses a unique collection of ceremonial horseshoes presented by royalty and peers since the 15th century and dogs on leads are allowed to accompany you through the exhibition.

The visit is free and the compact castle grounds give your dog a quick stretch between sniffs of medieval stonework. Open Monday and Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm (last entry 3:45pm), the castle is closed Sundays and Tuesdays.

A parking pass for two hours' free parking on the day of your visit is mentioned by the venue, though some event dates may affect availability. It's a straightforward heritage visit that keeps the whole group together.