Blithfield Reservoir Yellow Trail
Staffordshire
Blithfield Reservoir was created in the 1950s when South Staffordshire Water flooded part of the Blithe valley to supply Birmingham and the Black Country, drowning the old village of Blithfield in the process, though Blithfield Hall and its park survive on the northern shore, and dogs are welcome throughout on a lead. The water company has laid out three permissive trails from the free car park on Newton Hurst Lane: a short blue route through woodland, a red route past boardwalks and dragonfly ponds, and the longer yellow route across a wildflower meadow and bluebell wood to the shoreline. The yellow trail covers around 4.7km on flat, well maintained paths and takes about 90 minutes at an easy pace, with no real climbing anywhere on the estate's trails.
This is a dog friendly walk, but Blithfield is an important site for wintering wildfowl and waders, and South Staffs Water asks that all dogs are kept on a lead throughout to protect them, so this is not a walk for off-lead exercise. Paths run close to the water in places but not along the open shoreline, so swimming access for a dog is limited, and cattle can graze parts of the estate around the meadow trail. Bird hides with feeding stations along the way are a good distraction for children rather than dogs. There is one toilet on the yellow trail and free parking at the Newton Hurst Lane car park, with pubs in nearby Abbots Bromley for afterwards. Cycling, swimming, barbecues and camping are not permitted on the reserve.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.7 km (2.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Reservoir, Lake
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- None
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- One toilet on the yellow trail; no cafe on site. Pubs in nearby Abbots Bromley.
- Parking
- Newton Hurst Lane car park, South Staffs Water, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Blithfield Reservoir Yellow Trail, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in StaffordshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Blithfield Reservoir Yellow Trail dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on the Yellow Trail throughout the South Staffs Water estate. The 4.7km route takes in wildflower meadows, a bluebell wood and dragonfly ponds, and parking at Newton Hurst Lane is free. That said, it's worth noting the trail scores 6 out of 10 for dog friendliness, mainly because leads are compulsory and swimming access for dogs is limited.
Can dogs be off lead at Blithfield Reservoir Yellow Trail?
No — South Staffs Water requires all dogs to be kept on a lead throughout the estate. Blithfield Reservoir is an important site for wintering wildfowl and waders, and the lead rule is in place to protect those birds. If your dog needs a good off-lead run, you'll want to pair this visit with a stop somewhere else.
What should I know before visiting Blithfield Reservoir Yellow Trail with my dog?
Leads are compulsory for the whole walk, so this isn't the place for off-lead exercise. Cattle can graze parts of the estate around the meadow section, and while paths do run close to the water in places, there's no easy swimming access for dogs along the shoreline. Facilities are fairly basic — there's one toilet on the yellow trail but no café on site, so it's worth knowing that pubs in nearby Abbots Bromley are a short drive away for a post-walk stop.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
Newton Hurst Lane Car Park, Blithfield, near Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire WS15 3PH
52.8209, -1.9217
Get DirectionsWhat’s Nearby?
Walk3.9 mi awayShugborough Estate Outer Trails
Staffordshire
A National Trust estate walk through the parkland and farmland of Shugborough, with classical monuments dotted throughout.
Walk5.9 mi awayCannock Chase Forest Trails
West Midlands
A Forestry England walk through Cannock Chase AONB with fallow deer, heathland and forest tracks in a surprisingly wild setting.
Walk6.4 mi awayCannock Chase Glacial Boulder Trail
Staffordshire
A big Cannock Chase circular past the ice age Glacial Boulder and two visitor centres, perfect for dogs who love open forest rambles.
Walk11.1 mi awayChasewater Country Park Circular
Staffordshire
A flat 5 km loop around Staffordshire's biggest reservoir with open fields, off lead areas and year round appeal for dogs.
Walk11.7 mi awayDimmingsdale Valley
Staffordshire
A Staffordshire moorland valley walk with ponds, ancient oaks and a remoteness that belies its proximity to the Potteries.
Attraction11.7 mi awayWall Roman Site
Staffordshire
A Roman staging post on Watling Street with an inn and bath house, free, on a compact level village site that is easy going with your dog.