Baddesley Clinton and Hay Wood Circuit
West Midlands
Baddesley Clinton is a moated medieval manor house in National Trust care, set in parkland that connects directly into Hay Wood, an ancient woodland stretching between Baddesley and Rowington in the quiet countryside south of Solihull. This 6.4 km circuit moves from the formal estate grounds, past the lake and through managed parkland, before crossing into the wood where the character changes entirely: the canopy closes overhead, the paths narrow to muddy tracks, and the understorey thickens with coppiced hazel, holly and seasonal wildflowers. Bluebells carpet the floor in spring and fungi appear on fallen timber through autumn. The 59 m of climbing barely registers, making this an easy and absorbing half-day.
Dogs get a particularly rewarding dog friendly walk here thanks to the transition from open parkland into dense ancient woodland. Hay Wood is rich with scent from the woodland floor and muntjac deer frequent the area, which dogs register immediately. The network of paths through the wood makes it difficult to stray far from the route, and off-lead walking is possible in the deeper woodland sections. Leads are needed through the Baddesley Clinton estate grounds and in areas where livestock graze the surrounding fields. The terrain is soft and mostly level, suiting dogs of all ages. A dog-welcoming pub in nearby Rowington makes for a good finish.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.4 km (4.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Lake, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- National Trust cafe, Shop, Toilets
- Parking
- National Trust Baddesley Clinton car park - charged for non-members
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baddesley Clinton and Hay Wood Circuit dog friendly?
Baddesley Clinton and Hay Wood Circuit scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, making it a genuinely rewarding outing for dogs and their owners. The combination of open parkland and ancient woodland gives dogs plenty to explore, and the scent-rich woodland floor of Hay Wood , frequented by muntjac deer , tends to go down very well. There's also a dog-welcoming pub in nearby Rowington if you fancy rounding off the walk with a drink.
Can dogs be off lead at Baddesley Clinton and Hay Wood Circuit?
Off-lead walking is possible in the deeper sections of Hay Wood, where the network of paths keeps you naturally on route and away from roads. However, dogs should be kept on leads through the Baddesley Clinton estate grounds and in any areas where livestock graze the surrounding fields. It's worth being aware that muntjac deer are present in the woodland, so a reliable recall is a real advantage here.
What should I know before visiting Baddesley Clinton and Hay Wood Circuit with my dog?
The circuit is 6.4 km with only 59 m of climbing, so it's accessible for dogs of all ages and fitness levels , the terrain is soft and mostly level throughout. Parking is at the National Trust Baddesley Clinton car park, which is charged for non-members, and there's a National Trust café, shop, and toilets on site. The paths through Hay Wood can narrow to muddy tracks, so it's worth coming prepared with appropriate footwear, especially after wet weather.
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