River Severn: Upper Arley to Bewdley

This is a well-suited walk for dogs, earning a solid 8/10 for dog friendliness. The 8km riverside route offers varied terrain through broadleaf woodland and open meadows, with wide gravel banks along the Severn where dogs can wade in the shallower water. Both pubs at either end , the Harbour Inn at Upper Arley and the Cock and Magpie at Bewdley , welcome dogs, and the Severn Valley Railway even allows dogs on board if you want to make the return leg by heritage train.

Off-lead opportunities are limited on this route, as the path passes through meadows where livestock grazes seasonally , leads are essential through those pastoral sections. The riverside gravel banks offer a safer spot for a bit more freedom, where dogs can splash and explore the shallower margins of the Severn. It's worth keeping a lead to hand throughout, as conditions vary depending on the time of year.

The paths can get muddy after rain, and lower sections may be affected by flooding in winter, so it's worth checking conditions before you set off. This is a linear walk, but a handy option is to let your dog ride back with you on the Severn Valley Railway, which runs parallel to the route and accepts dogs on its heritage trains between Bewdley and Arley. Parking is available at both ends , Upper Arley village and Bewdley town car parks , making it straightforward to plan whether you return on foot or by rail.