Portmeirion - no dogs (not BU)

[Otins]

It’s been a while since a dog thread 😉 and I recently found this. I’m considering a trip to Portmeirion in North Wales and their dogs policy is definitely not unreasonable in my view.

I wish more cafes etc would take this stance. They tried it but rules weren’t adhered to so they took the privilege away.

“Pets are not allowed on-site, with the exception of Guide or registered assistance dogs/animals.
We are often asked about the reason for Portmeirion & Castell Deudraeth's no-dogs/pets-allowed policy. One reason for the rule is the conflict pets (particularly dogs) produce in natural areas used as wildlife habitat and also used by people for recreation. Portmeirion's natural areas are managed in a way that protects habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species. Dogs, by nature, can damage sensitive habitats as well as harass or kill vulnerable wildlife. The no-dogs policy is also applied to protect the many people who may be picnicking, walking, swimming or relaxing in the grounds.
A dogs-on-leash rule used in the past proved ineffective because many people disregard the policy. We have also found that a few pet owners do not take the responsibility to pick up pet waste. Patrolling park grounds to assure that dogs are under control, contacting those who are not being responsible with their pet and cleaning up after pets to assure a safe visitor environment was an inefficient use of limited staff time.
With the exception of registered guide & assistance dogs/pets, Portmeirion will continue its policy of excluding pets from the village and its grounds to help assure a quality visitor experience and help protect natural resources at Portmeirion.
The company policy regarding dogs/pets includes the village, woodlands, farmland, Castell Deudraeth, estate cottages and gardens. The policy does not affect any statutory rights of way, bridle paths, public footpaths or access to these areas.”

And I hate walking on my own since the pandemic because of out of control dogs. I have no idea if a dog wants to harm me & no interest in learning to recognise their body language. I just want them to leave me alone.

I went to Portmerion last year. I hadn't purchased a ticket online but assistant kindly said I could buy one at the kiosk. Great. She didn't ask my age. After the transaction went through I saw a small sign giving a few quid discount for over 60's. I mentioned this and she said there was nothing she could do about it. Was not able to reverse the transaction. You would have though that as a good will gesture she might have given me a coffee voucher or something. No, nothing and she was quite arsey about it too. Poor customer service. Shame , as it's an interesting place.

I really wish more places would do something like this - I am most definitely not a 'dog hater' but equally it's nice to enjoy dog free spaces. Dog ownership has taken a downturn in recent years, with more and more people viewing dogs above humans - while it's fine to take that personal stance in your own life, it's never something that should be applied to society in general. I feel like the entitled and selfish dog owners will eventually ruin things for everyone, including other responsible dog owners.

Lol I might have known I couldn't just make a joke without being told off.

Wash your hands/use sanitiser before you eat, problem solved. Doesn't solve the problem of a dog gozzing on you though!

I love Portmeirion, very interesting quirky place. I have three dogs who I also love, but they don't need to always come on holiday with me!

I like staying over in one of the little rooms, you get free roam of the village in the evening once it's closed to "day" visitors and it's so, so lovely to wander about with hardly anyone else around.

I'm a dog owner and I see nothing wrong with it. If I want to visit I won't take the dog, simple! I'm glad it's a clear rule.
What annoys me is when I take my dog to place (cafe or pub) that is clearly advertised as dog friendly, and there are people moaning about dogs. I've gone to that place specifically because it's dog friendly. I'm fortunate to have a well behaved dog that just lays on the floor next to the table so he's causing no bother.
There are more places that don't allow dogs than do, go to one of them if you don't want a dog near you!

But phones, wallets and handbags don't drool or shed fur.

Birds don't nest on every beach though. So it's a bit of a silly point.

That wasn't a telling off.

Dogs don't spit on you. The only spitting in public I see is usually from men.

I don’t really see the issue here?? People who want to take dogs on holiday will simply go elsewhere it’s pretty simple really

Okay it wasn't a telling off, I am again suitably chastised 😂

Flippant comment. Again. Maybe I need a special font...

Anyway dogs =/= phones, have a good morning ✌️

This will probably just be someone on minimum wage who doesn't have the authority to give out free coffees. She can't really ask your age, imagine being in your 50's and someone asking if you are eligible for a senior discount!

Pretty sure these dogs only exist on mumsnet. I manage to walk 15k steps a day through a mix of countryside, parks and woods and can’t think of the last time I was accosted by an out of control dog 😂

Seems fine to me. It’s a massive place, and a lot of it is wild(ish) areas. Dog poop everywhere would be a real nightmare. I’m a dog owner and really careful to pick up my dogs poop, but most walks I’ll spot dog shit that someone else has clearly been too lazy/selfish to bag and bin. I can imagine that a fair few people would assume their dog was allowed in though, especially with the pretty impressive dog cemetery there.

The sign is there to advise you before you make your purchase, you just didn't look well enough. It's absolutely standard customer service - expecting a coffee voucher is really wild.

There are more places that don't allow dogs than do, go to one of them if you don't want a dog near you!

@dastidlydaschel this simply isn't true in many areas though. So many businesses have bowed to the dog friendly mantra because it does attract business, forgetting that it also loses them some business too.

I would say that 75% of the time we go out for a family walk (rural, seaside, country parks) there is an off lead dog who is running around, jumping up and ‘being friendly’. At a young age this happened to my daughter and one jumped right up on her shoulders and barking away. She was rightly frightened. I’ve done everything I can to try and help with her fear but there’s only a few dogs she feels comfortable around. There are certainly good dog owners around but those who allow dogs off lead who have no recall or just run around everyone thinking everyone loves their dog are unreasonable. As a consequence we visit a local RSPB site who don’t allow dogs and enjoyed a lovely time in Portmeirion last year. It’s unfair that we feel our options are now restricted.

We have considered a dog to help with her fear and I think she’d enjoy that. However, it wouldn’t help once we were out walking a dog as you still have other non responsible dog owners.

I have dogs running up to me at least half the time I am out walking.

I think the difference between the anti and the pro dog people is the pro dogs won't be offended by this as they don't expect everyone to cater for their likes and dislikes. Cool, we won't visit, no biggie.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching people being thrown out of a coffee shop on Saturday because they'd had the audacity to bring in a dog. It's the sense of entitlement I cannot fathom.

It has happened EVERY time I've tried to walk my on-lead dog in our town park (clear signs saying dogs must be on leads) and the 2 stately homes in big parks near us (clear signs at every entrance saying dogs must be on leads - AND one saying it's especially important because there are deer in the park).

If dog jumps up at us, I kick it in the face. It is self-defence. And my hiking boots probably sting a bit when they make contact.

So many strange threads about dogs. Multiple ‘want to give dog up’, including one hoping the dog dies in its sleep, and now this. We get it, you don’t like wonderfully intelligent creatures that bring joy to people’s lives. No need to bang on about it.

Can't you see the difference between banning human beings and banning dogs?

@Cupine that’s not the case at all. I like dogs and have considered a dog. My issue is the owners and how they let their dogs behave in public places. It is not the dog’s fault it is the owners.