Butterdean Wood
East Lothian
Butterdean Wood covers 42 hectares near Gladsmuir, east of Haddington, and is looked after by the Woodland Trust as one of its larger East Lothian sites. With no livestock here, dogs can roam off lead, though the longer trail turns wet and muddy after rain. More than 5km of paths run through the wood on two waymarked trails, a shorter surfaced route suited to buggies and wheelchairs and a longer unsurfaced trail that can be wet and muddy after rain. The wood holds veteran trees and supports the nationally scarce hornet clearwing moth, along with green woodpeckers, nuthatches and bird's nest orchids in early summer. Wildlife-themed sculptures are dotted along the paths. The car park sits at the northern end of the wood, off the unclassified road between Gladsmuir and Liberty Hall, with space for around a dozen cars.
This dog friendly walk has high off-lead potential, since Butterdean carries no farm livestock and the paths are generally quiet away from the small car park. The Woodland Trust has no on-site facilities beyond parking, so there is no water source directly on the trails, and the unsurfaced route can be muddy underfoot, which most dogs enjoy but is worth knowing before you set off. The mix of veteran trees and undergrowth gives plenty of scent for a dog to work, and there is enough space here for a proper leg-stretch without livestock to worry about. There are no toilets on site; the nearest public toilets are in Tranent and Haddington. Parking at the small council car park is free.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 40 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Forest
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- None on site; nearest public toilets in Tranent and Haddington.
- Parking
- East Lothian Council car park at the northern end of the wood, off the Gladsmuir to Liberty Hall road, free, around 12 spaces.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Butterdean Wood, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Byre At Brothershiels
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £673 / 7 nights
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butterdean Wood dog friendly?
Butterdean Wood rates 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness on Wildpack Collective, making it one of the better options in East Lothian. Managed by the Woodland Trust, the 42-hectare wood has no livestock, quiet paths, and plenty of veteran trees and undergrowth to keep a dog happily occupied.
Can dogs be off lead at Butterdean Wood?
Yes — Butterdean Wood has high off-lead potential because there is no farm livestock on site and the paths are generally quiet once you're away from the small car park. With over 5km of waymarked trails to explore, there's plenty of room for a proper run around.
What should I know before visiting Butterdean Wood with my dog?
The longer, unsurfaced trail can get wet and muddy after rain, so it's worth bringing a towel or dog wipes if your car upholstery is precious. There are no on-site facilities, which means no water points on the trails, so pack your own supply on warmer days. Parking is free at the small council car park at the northern end of the wood, with space for around a dozen cars.
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East Lothian Council car park, off the unclassified road from Gladsmuir to Liberty Hall, near Haddington EH34 5BG
55.9389, -2.8724
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