Borthwood Copse Red Squirrel Walk
Isle of Wight
Borthwood Copse is a 24 hectare remnant of a much larger medieval hunting forest, a few miles inland from Sandown, an easy amble for dogs off the lead with no gates or stiles to negotiate. Isabella de Fortibus, the self-styled Queen of Wight who ruled the island from Carisbrooke Castle, is said to have watched the deer hunts from Queen's Bower at its north-west corner. Today the National Trust manages it as ancient oak woodland with coppiced hazel and sweet chestnut and bluebells in spring. It is one of the best places on the island to see red squirrels, especially after leaf fall, and dormice live here too. The National Trust's walk is a 1.9km loop from the parish council car park on Alverstone Road. There are only 30 metres of ascent, though paths are narrow, uneven and muddy in places.
This is a gentle dog friendly walk, ideal for a quick outing, an older dog or a hot day under the trees. There is no livestock in the wood, so a dog with reliable recall can be off lead on the paths, but the National Trust asks for dogs on a lead around wildlife, and the red squirrels are often on the ground in autumn, so keep a keen chaser close. Paths are not signposted, but the wood is small. There is a dog bin in the car park, and no water or facilities.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 1.9 km (1.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 40 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Dog bin in the car park; no toilets, water or cafe; shops and cafes in Sandown.
- Parking
- Free parish council car park off Alverstone Road, between Winford and Alverstone (nearest postcode PO36 0LD).
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Borthwood Copse Red Squirrel Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Hayloft Cottage - Godshill
Sleeps 3 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £594 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in Isle of WightFrequently Asked Questions
Is Borthwood Copse Red Squirrel Walk dog friendly?
Yes, Borthwood Copse is a lovely spot for dogs, earning a 7/10 on our dog-friendly rating. It's a gentle 1.9km loop through ancient oak woodland with no gates or stiles to navigate, making it especially well suited to older dogs or a relaxed outing on a warm day. There's a dog bin in the car park, though no water or cafe on site, so bring your own.
Can dogs be off lead at Borthwood Copse Red Squirrel Walk?
Dogs with reliable recall can enjoy being off lead on the paths, as there's no livestock in the wood. However, the National Trust asks that dogs are kept on a lead around wildlife — and this is worth taking seriously, as red squirrels are regularly spotted here, particularly in autumn when they're often foraging on the ground. If your dog has a strong chase instinct, keeping them on the lead is the sensible call.
What should I know before visiting Borthwood Copse Red Squirrel Walk with my dog?
The walk is a short, easy loop of 1.9km with just 30 metres of ascent, so it's manageable for most dogs, but be prepared for narrow, uneven paths that can get muddy. The paths aren't signposted, though the wood is small enough that it's hard to get seriously lost. There's no water or facilities on site beyond a dog bin in the car park, so pack water for your dog, and note that shops and cafes are available back in Sandown.
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