Brecon Beacons (photo by the National Trust)

I’ve written about National Trust properties before, because the National Trust offers dozens of small, historic buildings in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for vacation rental (and many of the properties are dog-friendly). The Trust is best known, though, as the guardian of historic houses, gardens, monuments and landscapes that the public can visit — including Chartwell, Sutton Hoo, and Lindisfarne Castle. I visited their site last night, after finishing a massive coffee-table book about Ferdinand de Rothschild’s Waddesdon Manor, and learned that although Waddesdon’s grounds are not dog-friendly (and the house certainly isn’t either), the National Trust cares for many properties that do welcome dogs.

In fact, the Trust site has a page devoted to dog walking, and it’s a great place to start your search. Otherwise, go to the Trust’s main page, click on “Days out & visits,” and then on “Advanced Search.” Narrow down your search or not, as you choose, and under “Special facilities” click on “Dogs welcome.” You’ll find a long list of truly glorious walks — 69 properties in all, on the coast, by lakes, through woodlands and — often — through history.