Dog-friendly Christmas tree farms: rows and rows of trees, and every single one smells incredible
To you it is a field of Nordmann firs. To your dog it is the most important sniffing assignment of the year. Thousands of trees, each with its own story to tell, and a crunchy frosty path running between them. Choosing the tree is the easy part. Getting your dog to leave is the challenge.
Why a tree farm makes a brilliant December day out
December is short on daylight and long on mud, and a lot of festive days out are not much fun with a dog. Tree farms are the happy exception. They are outdoors, there is plenty of space, and nobody minds a wet nose or four muddy paws. Most are working plantations that open for just a few weeks a year, so it feels like a proper occasion.
Make it a tradition and it becomes the day Christmas properly starts. Bobble hats on, flask in the car, dog in a festive jumper if they will tolerate it.
What actually happens at a Christmas tree farm
You wander the rows until you find The One, then either cut it yourself with a borrowed saw or point at it and let a staff member do the hard work. It gets netted, carried to your car and very often handed over with a mince pie. Some farms also have a yard of pre-cut trees if you would rather be in and out.
Around the edges, farms add the festive extras: Santa's grottos, wreath-making workshops, fire pits, carol singers, reindeer and a hot chocolate stall at the very least. Tap any farm on the map above to see what is on there and where your dog is welcome.
Going on a quieter day
The first two weekends of December are when everyone goes to get their tree, and some farms get very busy. Car parks fill, the grotto queue snakes round the barn and there are chainsaws, tractors and excited children everywhere. Plenty of dogs take it in their stride. Others find it a lot.
If your dog is happier with a bit more calm, a little timing makes all the difference:
- Go on a weekday if you can. The same trees, a fraction of the people.
- Arrive as they open. Rows are empty and staff have time for a chat.
- Late November is quieter than mid December, and the choice of trees is better too.
- Watch for the signs your dog has had enough: lip licking, yawning, a tucked tail or planting their feet. Head back to the car for a break.
It is worth a quick call to the farm before you set off. They know which days get rammed, and most are happy to point you at a quieter slot.
What to chuck in the boot
- Water and a bowl
- Two towels, at least
- A short lead for the barns and sales yard
- A light-up collar or clip for the early dusk
- A blanket to protect the boot on the way home
- Treats worth more than a tree
Keeping your tree dog-safe at home
Real trees and dogs get on fine with a bit of planning. Pine needles are sharp and can upset tummies, so give the tree a good shake at the farm and sweep up regularly. Cover the water in the stand, since it can collect sap and anything else that falls in. Keep chocolate decorations off the branches entirely, hang glass baubles up high, and skip the tinsel if your dog is a chewer.
Make a proper day of it
Pick a farm with a decent walk nearby, choose your tree first while everyone is fresh, then find a dog-friendly pub with the fire lit. Your dog will be asleep under the table before the drinks arrive, and the tree will be waiting on the roof of the car. That is December sorted. Our collections and days out guides are a good place to plan the rest.
Ready to find your tree? There are 23 dog-friendly farms on the map above, from the South Coast to the Highlands.
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