Bingley St Ives Estate Circular
West Yorkshire
St Ives Estate is a 550 acre country park on the hill above Bingley where dogs have room to run off lead across the heather and grass, once the private estate of the Ferrand family and bought by Bradford Council in 1929. It mixes mature woodland, open grass, heather and a golf course, criss-crossed by paths and bridleways. This 5km loop from the main car park passes Coppice Pond, built as a water supply and later a boating lake, now home to swans, mallards and coots, then climbs through rhododendrons to Lady Blantyre's Rock, where a stone tablet marks the favourite reading spot of William Ferrand's stepmother. Beyond the Ferrand memorial the route reaches the Druids Altar, a gritstone outcrop with a wide view over the Aire valley. Paths are dirt, gravel and cobble, with steps, kissing gates and some mud in wet weather, and a steady climb to the high point.
This is a dog friendly walk with plenty of room to roam, and the estate is one of the most popular places around Bingley for dog walkers. Much of the woodland suits off-lead walking for dogs with good recall, and livestock is rarely met on the estate paths. Keep your dog close where the path crosses the golf course fairways, around the waterfowl on Coppice Pond and near the drop at the Druids Altar. The trees give good shade. There is a cafe on the estate by the car park, a children's play area and pay and display parking.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 35 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Park, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Cafe and children's play area near the main car park; pubs and cafes in Bingley and Harden.
- Parking
- St Ives Estate main car park off Cross Gates Lane, Bradford Council, pay and display.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Bingley St Ives Estate Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Lower Mount Farm - On The Tops
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £669 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in West YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Bingley St Ives Estate Circular dog friendly?
St Ives Estate is one of the most popular spots around Bingley for dog walkers, and it earns a solid 8/10 for dog friendliness on Wildpack. The 550-acre country park gives dogs plenty of space to explore across woodland, open grass and heather, with a 5km circular route that takes in Coppice Pond, Lady Blantyre's Rock and the Druids Altar viewpoint over the Aire valley.
Can dogs be off lead at Bingley St Ives Estate Circular?
Much of the estate suits off-lead walking for dogs with good recall, particularly through the mature woodland sections. You'll want to put leads on where the path crosses the golf course fairways, near the waterfowl at Coppice Pond, and close to the drop at the Druids Altar.
What should I know before visiting Bingley St Ives Estate Circular with my dog?
The paths are a mix of dirt, gravel and cobble, with steps, kissing gates and some mud in wet weather, plus a steady climb to the high point at the Druids Altar — worth knowing if your dog finds steps tricky. Livestock is rarely encountered on the estate paths, and the trees provide good shade on warmer days. Parking is pay and display at the main car park off Cross Gates Lane, and there's a cafe on site if you fancy a post-walk coffee.
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