One of my favourite things to do when travelling is to visit the local museums and art galleries. This has become more difficult since travelling with a dog.
Although there are plenty of pet-friendly activities and tourist attractions. Finding dog-friendly museums in the UK is frustratingly difficult.
Thankfully there are a few that allow dogs (some even welcome them!), including historic buildings, transportation museums, abandoned ghost towns, and living history sites. These are the most dog-friendly museums in the UK you'll want to visit.
Dog-Friendly Museums in the UK
British Museum, London
The British Museum is dog-friendly, allowing companion animals to visit with you. The museum documents the story of human history, art and culture, with the largest permanent collection of eight million works.
The British Museum is no longer pet-friendly! Unfortunately, while writing this article, they removed this line from their website: "Guide, assistant and companion animals – including assistant dogs in training – are welcome at the Museum." The museum confirmed with me via email they are not dog-friendly.
Blists Hill, Telford
You can visit this dog-friendly open-air museum where the sights, sounds, and smells of a Victorian Shropshire town has been replicated. The working town has shops and cottages, demonstrations by craftspeople, and amusements.
Crab Museum, Margate
This unique and fascinating attraction is Europe's only museum dedicated to crabs—and dogs are welcome visit with you! Learn about these remarkable decapods, from Margate's giant crab to the extinct Sooty Crayfish.
Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton-le-Hole
Explore this open-air museum that focuses on rural life, telling the story of the North York Moors from Iron Age to 1950s. There are over six acres of land with historic buildings and farmland that both you and your dog can enjoy.
Derwent Pencil Museum, Keswick
Dogs are welcome to join you at the Derwent Pencil Museum, where you'll learn about the history of pencils. There are hidden maps, miniature sculptures, and one of the largest pencils in the world.
Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Cornwall
Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Charlestown, this dog-friendly historical museum houses over 8,000 artefacts from over 150 different shipwrecks.
Cotswold Motoring Museum, Bourton-on-the-Water
Learn about the history of 20th-century motoring at this dog-friendly motor museum. You'll discover a collection of rare vehicles and classic memorabilia. As well as plays and exhibitions.
Amberley Museum, Arundel
This open-air museum has 36 acres with over 40 different exhibits, including a narrow-gauge railways and bus service. Formally a working chalk quarry, you can experience the history of the chalk pits and its workers with your dog.
Crich Tramway Village, Crich
The National Tramway Museum is dog-friendly, allowing your companion to take a ride on one of the 60 trams. The museum is set within a recreated village with a working pub, cafe, and sweetshop.
The Museum of the Broads, Norfolk
Take a boat trip to experience the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads. Dogs are allowed to visit the museum and take a boat ride with you. They even provide dogs with their own lifejackets!
Lakeland Motor Museum, Cumbria
See 30'000 exhibits including classic cars, motorcycles, bicycles, pedal cars, and motoring memorabilia at the Lakeland Motor Museum. Dogs are welcome in all areas of the museum including the café.
Tudor World, Stratford-upon-Avon
Dogs are welcome at this living history museum where you can take part in a witch trial, put someone in the stocks, or write in the school room. The period buildings with interactive elements bring the 16th century to life.
Rockbourne Roman Villa, Fordingbridge
The Rockborne Roman Villa i s a unique archaeological site featuring a Roman courtyard villa that was excavated and put on public display. Dogs are allowed on the grounds but not in the museum itself.
Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey, Cambridge
This museum has hands-on activities and interactive exhibits telling hte story of farming life in the Cambridgeshire Fens. You can enjoy the buildings and gardens with your dog; exploring the workshops, stone barns, and lodges together.
Newlyn Art Gallery, Penzance
Enjoy this dog-friendly modern art gallery. It's small but well-curated with an inspiring and diverse range of artwork. Although the gallery is dog-friendly, dogs may not be allowed into some exhibitions.
The Long Shop Museum, Leiston
This museum is dedicated to the industrial history of East Suffolk. The exhibitions focus on Richard Garrett & Sons who manufactured agricultural machinery, steam engines and trolleybuses in Leiston. Dogs are welcome.
Murton Park, York
The Yorkshire Museum of Farming is a living museum dedicated to document, display, research, and preserve the farming history of Yorkshire. Although dogs are allowed on site, they are not allowed in any of the buildings.
National Slate Museum, Caernarfon
This working museum tells the history of the slate industry in Wales. While there are workshops, quarrymen's houses, a waterwheel, and mess room; your dog is only welcome on the grounds, not in any of the buildings or even the cafe.
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