TfL: on a lead, off the seats, carried on escalators
TfL's conditions of carriage let you take a dog on the Tube, buses, trams, the DLR, the Overground and the Elizabeth line unless staff have good reason to refuse it, such as an animal that seems dangerous or isn't under control. Keep it on a lead or in a suitable container and off the seats. At stations use the wide gate and the stairs or lift; where a moving escalator is the only way you must carry the dog, and if it's too big to carry, staff will stop the escalator when it's safe, generally outside the rush hours.
On National Rail services you can bring up to two animals at no extra charge. A dog travels on a lead or in a pet carrier, at the station and on the train, and not on the seats. No animals in restaurant cars except assistance dogs, and on-train staff can have an animal removed if its size or behaviour is a problem for other passengers.
Royal Parks: leads where signed, and everywhere in Richmond and Bushy from 1 May to 31 July
The Royal Parks' policy welcomes dogs in all its parks but keeps them out of children's playgrounds and toilets, and on a lead near roads and water, with further dog-free and on-lead areas signed in each park. In Richmond Park and Bushy Park the lead stays on throughout the deer birthing season, 1 May to 31 July, and a short lead in the signed skylark zones. Bag the mess and bin it.
Hampstead Heath: off the lead if it comes when called
The City of London, which runs the Heath, asks you to keep your dog under control at all times: off the lead it must come when you call, and around children and picnickers the lead goes on. Collar and tag on, mess bagged and binned. You can be fined if the dog hurts, annoys or disturbs other Heath users, or damages the Heath.
The RSPCA's summer advice is to walk in the early morning or late evening when it's cooler, and never to run or cycle with the dog when it's hot. Put your hand on the pavement first: if it's too hot to hold there for five seconds, it's too hot for paws. Keep clean, cold water within reach all day.
Yes. TfL carries dogs on the Tube, buses, trams, the DLR, the Overground and the Elizabeth line, on a lead or in a container and off the seats. Take the stairs or the lift; on an escalator the dog has to be carried unless staff stop it for you.Source: Transport for London, Conditions of Carriage (October 2025), checked
Does my dog need a lead in Richmond Park?
From 1 May to 31 July, yes, in every part of the park: the Royal Parks make it mandatory during the deer birthing season and suggest walking elsewhere. The rest of the year they ask everyone to keep at least 50 metres from the deer, and warn that in the autumn rut the stags are more likely to go for a dog.Source: The Royal Parks, Deer in Richmond Park, checked
Can my dog be off the lead on Hampstead Heath?
Yes, if it's under control and comes back when called. The City of London asks for the lead around children and picnickers, and fines owners whose dogs hurt, annoy or disturb other people on the Heath.Source: City of London, Dog walking in Hampstead Heath, checked
Can my dog come on the train?
Up to two animals travel free on National Rail services, on a lead or in a carrier and off the seats.Source: National Rail, Train travel with pets, checked
