Pet-Friendly Attractions in Cardiff

The headline city centre attraction, a 2000-year-old site mixing a Roman wall, a Norman keep and a 19th-century Bute family mansion. Dogs on a lead are welcomed in the outer grounds and on the wide curtain-wall walks, and the castle gardens connect directly into Bute Park. The interior of the keep and the Victorian apartments admit only assistance dogs. Allow 45 minutes for the outdoor circuit if the indoor tour is off the table.

The 1.1 km barrage built across the mouth of the Taff and Ely rivers in 2001, opening a 2 km dog-friendly promenade between Cardiff Bay and Penarth Marina. A flat, exposed walk with sea views one side and the freshwater bay the other, several pop-up cafés, lock-gate viewing platforms and a children's play area at the Penarth end. The natural extension is to continue west into Penarth Pier and the dog-friendly stretch of Penarth Beach.

The second-largest castle in Britain after Windsor, a 13th-century concentric fortress surrounded by extensive water defences. Dogs on a short lead are welcomed across the ground floor of the entire site, including the famous leaning tower and the great hall, and Cadw provides a water bowl for visiting dogs. Reach by Transport for Wales train from Cardiff Queen Street in 20 minutes, dogs travel free.