Black Down and Beacon Batch from Burrington Ham
Somerset
Black Down is the high, heather covered whaleback of the western Mendip Hills, and its summit, Beacon Batch, is the highest point on the Mendips at 325 metres, shared by free roaming ponies and Devon Red cattle that mean a lead is the safer choice for a dog. The top is dotted with Bronze Age burial mounds, and on a clear day the view runs over Blagdon Lake and the Bristol Channel to the Welsh mountains. This circuit of about 6.4km starts from the free Burrington Ham car park at the top of Burrington Combe, the last car park before the cattle grid, and climbs for around half an hour across open heath and wide grassy rides to the summit before looping back over the down. There is roughly 130 metres of climbing, and the paths are rocky in places and very muddy in winter, so boots or wellies are the sensible choice.
This dog friendly walk has space and big skies, but it is shared with grazing animals. Exmoor ponies roam freely on Black Down and Devon Red cattle graze the hill, most often around Beacon Batch, so keep dogs on a lead or very close whenever they are in sight. Black Down is open access land, where dogs must be on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July to protect ground nesting birds. There is no shade or reliable water on the top, so carry some for your dog. The Swan Inn at Rowberrow is the nearest pub listed as dog friendly.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.4 km (4.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Heathland, Peak, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- None on route; the Swan Inn at Rowberrow nearby (listed as dog friendly by Bristol Barkers).
- Parking
- Burrington Ham car park on The Combe (B3134), free, the last car park before the cattle grid.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Black Down and Beacon Batch from Burrington Ham, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Orchard Farm Wedmore - Fox Whelp
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £653 / 7 nights
Coachman's Cottage At Manor Farm
Sleeps 2 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £509 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in SomersetFrequently Asked Questions
Is Black Down and Beacon Batch from Burrington Ham dog friendly?
Black Down and Beacon Batch from Burrington Ham is a dog friendly walk, rated 7 out of 10. It offers open heathland, wide grassy rides and big skies that dogs tend to love, though the presence of free-roaming Exmoor ponies and Devon Red cattle means it suits dogs that are comfortable walking on or close to a lead.
Can dogs be off lead at Black Down and Beacon Batch from Burrington Ham?
Off-lead time is limited here. Grazing animals — Exmoor ponies and Devon Red cattle, most often found around the Beacon Batch summit — mean you should keep your dog on a lead or very close whenever livestock are in sight. Between 1 March and 31 July, a short lead is legally required across the whole of Black Down to protect ground-nesting birds.
What should I know before visiting Black Down and Beacon Batch from Burrington Ham with my dog?
There is no shade or reliable water on the top of Black Down, so bring enough water for your dog, especially in warmer weather. The paths can be rocky in places and get very muddy in winter, so sturdy boots or wellies are a good idea for you. After the walk, the Swan Inn at Rowberrow is the nearest dog friendly pub if you fancy a well-earned rest.
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