Birkrigg Common and the Druid's Circle from Bardsea
Cumbria
Birkrigg Common is an open area of limestone country on the Furness peninsula, rising to 136 metres between Ulverston and the shore of Morecambe Bay. Sheep graze the common freely, but the web of grassy paths still gives a dog with decent recall plenty of room to explore. From the top the view takes in the Lake District fells, the Howgills and across the bay to Blackpool. The common is scattered with history: several Bronze Age burial mounds, the Druid's Circle on its south-eastern side, a double ring of stones dating from about 1700 to 1400 BC, and the walled Sunbrick burial ground, used by Quakers from 1654 to 1767 and the resting place of George Fox's wife Margaret. This 5.5km circuit starts from the car park on the shore at Ulverston Sands, climbs onto the common and follows the grassy paths that criss-cross it past the stone circle and the limestone outcrops, then returns through the woodland of Sea Wood to the coast. There is around 150 metres of gentle climbing on grass and bracken.
This is a dog friendly walk with plenty of open space, as the common is crossed by a web of paths through short turf and bracken where a dog with good recall can roam. Sheep graze Birkrigg freely, so keep a lead handy and use it whenever they are close. Sea Wood gives shade at the end of the walk. The shore by the car park is tidal Morecambe Bay sand, with fast tides and soft mud, so keep dogs close on the beach.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.5 km (3.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Coastal, Heathland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- No facilities on the common; pubs and cafes in Bardsea village and Ulverston.
- Parking
- Car park on the shore at Ulverston Sands, on the coast road near Bardsea.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Birkrigg Common and the Druid's Circle from Bardsea, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CumbriaFrequently Asked Questions
Is Birkrigg Common and the Druid's Circle from Bardsea dog friendly?
Yes, Birkrigg Common and the Druid's Circle from Bardsea scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The common is open access land with short turf, big views and plenty of paths, and Sea Wood adds shade at the end. The one real caveat is the sheep that graze the common, which means your dog will need to be on a lead at times.
Can dogs be off lead at Birkrigg Common and the Druid's Circle from Bardsea?
There is moderate off-lead potential on the open common for a dog with reliable recall, as you can see a long way across the turf and bracken. Sheep graze Birkrigg freely, so put the lead on whenever they are nearby and during lambing in spring. Keep dogs on a lead near the road that crosses the common and on the tidal shore by the car park.
What should I know before visiting Birkrigg Common and the Druid's Circle from Bardsea with my dog?
The common has no streams and little shade until Sea Wood, so carry water for your dog on warm days. The shore beside the car park is Morecambe Bay, where the tide comes in quickly over soft sand and mud, so keep dogs off the far sands. Paths are grassy and easy, and the stone circle is on the south-eastern side of the common.
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