Belvoir Castle Estate Walk
Leicestershire
Dog friendly and scenic, this long estate walk circles the Vale of Belvoir with its castle perched dramatically on the ridge, the Grantham Canal winding through quiet villages like Plungar, Barkestone and Redmile, and wide open farmland in between. Expect a mix of field paths, canal towpath and gentle estate roads, with the castle providing a distant focal point for much of the route.
Dogs are welcome throughout and can run off-lead on the quieter canal sections and estate woodland, but leads are essential across the grazing fields, which are plentiful and stocked year round. Underfoot is mostly grass and field tracks with occasional road sections. Parking is at the main Belvoir Castle car park at NG32 1PE with a small all-day charge, and facilities are limited to what the castle itself offers on open days.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 14.5 km (9.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 5 hr
- Walk Type
- Historic, Canal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Castle cafe and toilets when the estate is open; nothing else on the route itself.
- Parking
- Main Belvoir Castle car park at NG32 1PE with a small all-day charge.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belvoir Castle Estate Walk dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome throughout the route, which earns a solid 7/10 for dog friendliness. The walk takes in canal towpath, estate woodland, and open farmland, giving plenty of variety for you and your dog to enjoy together.
Can dogs be off lead at Belvoir Castle Estate Walk?
Dogs can be let off lead on the quieter canal sections and in the estate woodland, which makes for some lovely free-running stretches. That said, leads are essential across the grazing fields, and there are plenty of these along the route, stocked with livestock year round, so you'll want to keep that in mind.
What should I know before visiting Belvoir Castle Estate Walk with my dog?
The route is long and mostly on grass and field tracks, so it's worth coming prepared for a decent outing. Parking is at the main Belvoir Castle car park (NG32 1PE) for a small all-day charge, and the only facilities — a café and toilets — are at the castle itself and only available on open days, so it's worth checking ahead and bringing your own water and snacks for both you and your dog.
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