Heart of England Dog Friendly Walks

Heart of England - Dog Friendly Walks

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Derbyshire

Chesterfield Canal - The Chesterfield Canal was surveyed by James Brindley and finished in 1777. It linked Chesterfield to the River Trent. The walk is part of the Trans Pennine Trail and the route is easy. This is a 6 mile walk. If a shorter walk is required, starting from Tapton Lock would reduce the time and mileage.

Fernilee Reservoir - Goyt Valley (Peak District National Park) - From the street car park head across the Errwood dam between the two reservoirs in the direction of the sailing club. Cross the dam and follow the road around to the left where you will see a track leading off to the left protected by a barrier, head steeply downhill following this track and before long you will reach the level banks of Fernilee Reservoir. When you reach the dam at the far end of the reservoir turn left to cross the dam and take a minute to view the Goyt River on the other side of the dam to the right. When you have reached the end of the dam follow the track to the left and then take the first path that leads off to the left through woodland. After a short distance the path will split, turn left here to follow the path that takes you closest to the banks of the reservoir. Follow this route and then you bear right uphill back towards the street car park. 

Upper Derwent Valley - Park at the visitor centre and follow the track along the side of the reservoir.  Enjoy the beautiful views and the points of interest along the route.  You can then choose to turn and walk back the way you came at any point, or catch the half hourly minibus back to the car park. 

Top Wood - Near:Grangewood, Linton, Derbyshire. Size:80.91 ha (199.93 acres). Grid ref:SK268155. OS map sheets:OS Landranger 128, Explorer 245. There is a well-developed pattern of public footpaths which traverse the site. In order to accommodate those members of the public who have less time or who visit the site almost every day circular paths have been constructed and it is envisage that as the site matures this pattern will be developed further. This is a woodland trust walk. 

Whitwell Woods - Whitwell is the nearest town or village. Access is from the adjacent layby on the A619. The place for a peaceful walk in the company of wildlife. Whitwell has something for every season. These are carpets of bluebells in spring, butterflies in summer and flocks of feeding birds in winter. Waymarked trails lead from the main entrance. This is a Forestery Commission Walk. 

Bignalls Wood - Bignall's Wood is part of The National Forest. Lount is the nearest town or village. By road Bignall's Wood can be found off the B587 following signs to the Ferrer's Centre. A network of mown grass paths, public rights of way and a surfaced trail take you in and around Bignall's Wood. A free leaflet covering Bignall's, Alistair's and jaguar Lount Wood's including a map of all the trails is available from the Forestry Commission. A 3km surfaced cycle track starts from the car park and passes through Jaguar Lount Wood. OS Grid Reference: SK 376 207. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

Sence Valley - Sence Valley is part of The National Forest. Ibstock and Heather are the nearest towns or villages. On the A447 Ravenstone Road just North of Ibstock. Surfaced and grass paths create a network of tracks throughout the park. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

Herefordshire

Mailscot Wood Trails - Mailscot Wood Trails can be started from Symonds Yat Rock in Wye Valley Woods which is part of Wye Valley. Coleford is the nearest town or village. From the A40 at Monmouth take the A4136 towards Gloucester. At the Pike House crossroads turn left and proceed into Christchurch, take the B4432 left hand fork opposite the church and follow the signposts to Symonds Yat Rock. The trail meanders southwards keeping to the ridge high above the tumbling River Wye. The woodlands covering the valley sides are a wonderful mosaic of broadleaf and conifer trees, providing a variety of wildlife habitats. There are panoramic views across the river gorge towards the towering limestone outcrops at the Seven Sisters, with Bilbins Suspension Bridge and Youth Campsite below. Follow the Red Markers. Length of trail:4 miles. Approximate time of trail:3 hours. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

Mortimer Forest - Mortimer Forest is part of The Marches. Ludlow is the nearest town or village. From Ludlow take the B4361 towards Leominster. the forest is sign posted from the outskirts of Ludlow. The proximity of Ludlow has strongly influenced this Forest. It was these woods that provided the huge quantity of firewood needed to warm the inhabitants of Ludlow Castle. The landscape of the Forest is dominated by limestone ridges. The sometimes steep slopes and moderate height of the forest provides magnificent views in clear weather. There are five walking trails in Mortimer Forest. Follow the Blue Markers for the Easy Access Walk. Length of trail:1 miles. Approximate time of trail:40 mins. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

Haughmond Hill - Haughmond Hill is part of The Marches. Shrewsbury is the nearest town or village. Follow the B5062 (Sundorne then Newport Road)out of Shrewsbury. At the brow of the hill, after the Abbey turn right. The car park is on the right after the quarry. Walk through this mixed woodland to discover fantastic views over Shrewsbury to the hills of South Shropshire. If you are walking with dogs please do not allow them to foul the paths. Particularly the Corbett Easy Access Trail or the Geo Trail as this is popular with wheel chair users and families with buggies.

Leicestershire

Burroughs Wood - Size: 36.6 ha (90.44 acres). Near:Ratby, Leicestershire. Grid ref:SK493061 OS map sheets:OS Landranger 140, Explorer 233. Burroughs Wood is a “wood of two halves“, both of them large sites and linked via a public right of way. The northern section is a broadleaved woodland with ancient origins, proving a draw in the spring when the woodland floor is awash with a sea of bluebells. South of this is a newly planted woodland, created in 1996 and 1997, with native broadleaf species such as silver birch with its distinctive white bark and pale green leaves, and Hawthorn whose heavily scented flowers appear in May and early June. This is a well used site, particularly along the public and permissive bridleways. Getting around is easy, with gentle and undulating slopes. This is a Woodland Trust Walk.

Martinshaw Wood - Size:102.62 ha (253.58 acres). Near:Ratby & Groby, Leicestershire. Grid ref:SK510072. OS map sheets:OS Landranger 140, Explorer 233. Martinshaw wood is 5 miles north-west of Leicester, situated between the villages of Groby and Ratby. The site can be accessed from the Car park off Markfield Road , Ratby and Woodlands Drive, Groby. The complex of woods owned by the Trust which includes Martinshaw, Pear Tree and Burroughs forms the south-eastern boundary of the National Forest and forms the largest continuous area of woodland in the National Forest. This is a Woodland Trust Walk. 

Lincolnshire

The Humber Foreshore and Waters' Edge - Park at the Humber Bridge Viewing Area Car Park and then take a stroll along the banks of the river, past the old tile works and the Far Ings National Nature Reserve. Or take a walk through the Waters' Edge Country Park, or the many footpaths surrounding it, passing through reed beds, meadows and Woodland. 

Stamford Meadows - A 6 mile circular walk starting from the train station car park at Stamford Meadows (Map Landranger 141 needed)  A short walk through the housing estate and over the bridge, brings you to the Meadows with the river on your left, turn left at the stables then right onto a smaller track over the railway crossing.  Follow through the village of Easton-on-the-Hill following the A43 then follow the bridleway signposted Wothorpe.  Follow this until you reach the Golf Course and do a left onto the road. After 500m follow the footpath sign into the field, through the kissing gate.  Halfway through the meadow turn right through the gate into another field.  At the end of the field cross over the road and follow the footpath back to the station. (Your Dog Magazine).

Chambers Farm Wood - Bardney is the nearest town or village. The car park can be found just past the Chambers Farm Wood Centre,sign posted off the B1202 Wragby Bardney road. Chambers Farm Nature Reserve is a facinating place for anyone interested in flora and fauna.Situated on the site of a medieaval woodland it contains ancient Limes and a wealth of butterflies. A joy for any nature lover at anytime of the year. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

Bourne Wood - Bourne Woods is part of Kesteven Forest. Bourne is the nearest town or village. On foot the woods can be accessed from Beech Avenue, Bourne. By road a car park is signposted off of the A151 half a mile west of Bourne. Bourne Wood is a quiet ancient woodland with mixed conifers and semi-natural broadleaf trees. There is a car park and picnic area. Visitors can walk up to the ponds where kingfishers and herons can often be seen. There is a kilometre-long, surfaced, level trail which starts close to the car park. A network of grass rides and tracks criss cross the wood. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

Northamptonshire

Twywell Plantation - Near:Kettering, Northamptonshire. Size:15.53 ha (38.38 acres). Grid ref:SP947776. OS map sheets:OS Landranger141, Explorer 224. The site is well used by locals from Twywell village and by visitors from further a field who park in the nearby Hills and Dale’s car park. The wood forms part of the Twywell Hills and Dales area managed in association with Rockingham forest Trust and The Wildlfie Trust.

Daleswood Walk, Fineshade Wood - Dales Wood Trail can be started from Top Lodge Fineshade Wood in Fineshade Wood which is part of Rockingham Forest. Stamford (Lincolnshire) is the nearest town or village. Top Lodge and Fineshade are signposted from the A43, between Stamford and Corby, opposite the turning for Wakerley Woods. The postcode for SatNavs and Route Finders is NN17 3BB. The Dales Wood Walk is a 3 mile route which takes you past the Wildlife Hide, where you can view the birds on the feeders or possibly deer on the lawn in the distance. The trail, which is gently hilly in places, winds through a variety of landscapes, and has a viewpoint looking out over Rockingham Forest. Follow the Purple Markers. Length of trail:3 miles. Approximate time of trail:approx 1 hour. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

The Church Path Trail, Salcey Forest - The Church Path Trail can be started from Salcey Forest Access Point in Salcey Forest. Hartwell is the nearest town or village. Salcey Forest is between Milton Keynes and Northampton, and located immediately to the east of the small village of Hartwell. This is a circular walk, which takes you to the fallen Church Path Oak. This is one of Salcey's famous "druid" oaks, and was thought to be 400 years old when it finally fell, which was in 1995. The route can be muddy in times of rain. Follow the Orange Markers. Length of trail: $1.5 miles. Approximate time of trail:1 hour. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

Nottinghamshire

Oldmoor Wood - Near:Strelley, Nottinghamshire. Size:15.11 ha (37.34 acres). Grid ref:SK497419. OS map sheets:OS Landranger 129, Explorer 260. Considering Nottingham city centre is a mere five miles away, Oldmoor Wood lies in a surprisingly rural area, part of an undulating landscape of farmland, hedgerows and small woods. The wood itself is mainly flat with an attractive combination of high forest and open glades with dense scrub along the south west boundary. A network of tracks form easy circular walks through the wood.

Sherwood Pine Forest - Old Clipstone and Edwinstowe is the nearest town or village. Off the B6030 between Old Clipstone and Ollerton. Sherwood Pines Forest Park is 3300 acres and the largest single tract of forest open to the public in the East Midlands. The forest provides a great venue for many activities. The cycling facilities provide something for every one, from family cyclists to experienced off road riders. The way marked walking trails meander through some of the oldest parts of the forest, there are also many other tracks and trails to be explored. There are several play areas to entertain the kids (both young and old!). The visitor centre has a cafe, toilets, cycle hire and Go Ape! the high wire forest adventure. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

Ollerton Pit Wood - New Ollerton and Boughton is the nearest town or village. Ollerton Pit Woods are accessed from Newark road (A616), which runs between New Ollerton and Wellow. This young woodland provides an excellent place to explore. Surfaced tracks and way-marked trails create circular routes from the car park. The walk round the pond is suitable for wheelchair users, can you spot the swans nesting on their platform? For the more adventerous among us try hiking up the pit top for great views of the surrounding countryside including Sherwood Forest Country Park, Thoresby Colliery and Wellow Wood. Are your eyes keen enough to pick out Thoresby Hall from among the trees? Wellow wood and Boughton Brake look amazing in the autumn too. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

Boundary Woods - Blidworth And Rainworth is the nearest town or village. Boundary Wood is accessed from Belle View Lane, Blidworth or from the B6020 (Tippings Wood Car Park). This young woodland provides an excellent place to explore, while enjoying great views over the local countryside. Surfaced tracks criss-cross the site and the SUSTRANS national cycle route passes through, heading north to Sherwood Pines Forest Park or South into Haywood Oaks. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

Shropshire

Burlington Estate - Near Sherrifhales, Shropshire (Near the B4379) Parking can be found on the quiet country lanes.  There are networks of footpaths through Woodland and fields.  A map is useful to explore these paths. 

Staffordshire

Brindley Heath, Cannock Chase -  Park at the visitors centre then follow the network of paths through the country park.  With both forest and heathland to explore, this is an area of outstanding natural beauty for both you and your dogs to enjoy.

Cannock Forest - .Fairoak Trail can be started from Birches Valley Forest Centre in Cannock Forest. Rugeley is the nearest town or village. From Rugeley head towards Penkridge along Hagley Road. The road changes into Penkridge Bank road as it enters Cannock Chase AONB. The Forest Centre is signposted on your left. From Stafford head towards Cannock on the A34. Follow the signs for Pye Green or Rugeley. Once on Cannock Chase continue to head for Rugeley until signs for the centre on your right. An easy circular trail that takes in the magnificent Fairoak Valley and Pools, a rich and important habitat that is home to many wildlife species. The area has an interesting coal mining past and was the location of a colliery in the late 19th century. This trail also provides access to the blue graded Sherbrook Trail and Cannock Chase Visitor Centre at Marquis Drive. This is a multi-use trail. Follow the Green Markers. Length of trail:4km/2.5 miles. Approximate time of trail:1 hour walk / 20 mins cycle.

Bignall's Wood - Bignall's Wood is part of The National Forest. Lount is the nearest town or village. By road Bignall's Wood can be found off the B587 following signs to the Ferrer's Centre. A network of mown grass paths, public rights of way and a surfaced trail take you in and around Bignall's Wood. A free leaflet covering Bignall's, Alistair's and jaguar Lount Wood's including a map of all the trails is available from the Forestry Commission.

Alistairs Wood - Alistair's Wood is part of The National Forest. Ashby de la Zouch is the nearest town or village. Pedestrian access only off the B587 North East of Ashby de la Zouch. Access also via a permissive path from the Southern end of Jaguar Lount Wood. Mown grass pathways lead walkers around the wood but access to the SSSI grassland is restricted. The Ivanhoe Way also passes through the top section of the wood - see OS Explorer Map 245 for details. Alistair's Wood is a community woodland planted in March 2003. This 34 hectare wood has been planted with native broadleaf species such as oak, ash and birch to complement the mature hedgerow and roadside trees already present making it a peaceful place in which families can now walk. Avenues of fruit and nut trees have also been planted including apple, pear and walnut providing colour all year round. As well as woodland there is also a stream, wetland and an area of acid neutral grassland. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

Warwickshire

Hay Wood - Baddesley Clinton is the nearest town or village. From Warwick take the Birmingham Road through Hatton and onto the Five Ways traffic island where you turn left towards Shrewley and immediately right into Case Lane. After 1 mile turn right into Quarry Lane and the entrance to Hay Wood is 1 mile on your right. Whether walking, riding or picnicking, Hay Wood is the perfect place to get away from it all and relax. As a peaceful ancient woodland site there is a great diversity of wildlife to look out for; foxgloves, bluebells, birds, butterflies, rabbits and Muntjac deer are just a few you could encounter. This is a Foresty Commission Walk.

Arley Wood - Old Arley is the nearest town or village. From the B4098, Follow Woodside, turn into Wood Lane. Arley Wood provides a quiet setting for a pleasent woodland walk in the Warwickshire countryside. The wood is part of a PAWS restoration project, which means that it will become a native broadleaf woodland once again. There is a public footpath that runs through the wood giving a chance of catching a glimpse of the some of the wildlife that make it their home. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

Worcestershire

Pepper Wood - Near:Fairfield, nr Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. Size:53.82 ha (132.99 acres). Grid ref:SO937749. OS map sheets:OS Landranger 139, Explorer 219. The site is easy to access and popular with locals and visitors alike. A good network of rides gives visitors the chance to explore areas of coppice, high forest and quiet narrow paths. This is a Woodland Trust Walk. 

Uffmoor Wood - Near: Halesowen, Worcestershire. Size:84.84 ha (209.64 acres). Grid ref:SO952811. OS map sheets:OS Landranger 139, Explorer 219. Stretching across gently sloping land, Uffmoor Wood is an important urban friend just a mile outside of Halesowen. Popular despite its isolation - the site is surrounded by pasture - the wood is easily accessed thanks to a public footpath network and an excellent web of rides including three way marked routes. This is a Woodland Trust Walk.

Woodpecker Walk, Wyre Forest - Woodpecker can be started from Wyre Forest Visitor and Discovery Centre in Wyre Forest which is part of Wyre Forest Area Woodlands. Bewdley is the nearest town or village. The Forestry Commission Visitor Centre is situated 3 miles west of Bewdley on the A456 at Callow Hill, and is well signposted from all directions. About Woodpecker. Walk into the 'valley of the giants' and past the whitty pear on this trail which takes you through coniferous and deciduous forest. An accompanying leaflet is available from the Visitor Centre, aimed at helping families discover the life of the forest. Follow the Green Markers. Length of trail:2 miles. Approximate time of trail:1 hour 15 mins. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.

Hawkbatch Wood - Hawkbatch Wood is part of Wyre Forest Area Woodlands. Bewdley is the nearest town or village. From Bewdley take the B4194 towards Kinlet, Hawkbatch Wood is on the right. This mixed woodland offers the only views out of the Wyre but what views they are! Sit a while and look out across Trimpley reservoir (there is a picnic table at the viewpoint), you may even spot a steam train making its way along the Severn Valley Railway. There are two waymarked walks in this wood. The red trail is 3.6km (2.2 miles) long and the blue trail is 1.7km (1 mile)long. This is a Forestry Commission Walk.