Castle Combe and By Brook Circular
Wiltshire
Castle Combe is a honey coloured stone village at the southern tip of the Cotswolds, built on the medieval wool trade and gathered around its market cross and the bridge over the By Brook, which gives a dog several shallow spots to splash about along the wooded valley section. This 5.6km circuit starts at the visitor car park in Upper Castle Combe, heads out along School Lane on field paths and skirts the Manor House golf course, then follows a tree lined path beside the brook through the wooded valley. After crossing the stream it climbs a rocky bridleway, follows a quiet lane for about half a mile and drops back through woodland into the village, finishing along the main street past the market cross. There is around 100 metres of climbing, and the woodland paths and bridleway can be muddy and rocky after rain.
This is a dog friendly walk with plenty for a dog to enjoy, especially the By Brook, which has several shallow spots where dogs can splash about and even swim. There is no livestock on the route itself, though it passes a fenced sheep field early on, where a lead is a good idea. Dogs must be on a lead across the golf course and on the lane section, which has occasional cars and cyclists, but the woodland in between gives some off-lead freedom. The Old Stables cafe in the village welcomes dogs, and local dog walking guides list the village pubs as dog friendly.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.6 km (3.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- River, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- The Old Stables cafe (dog friendly) and pubs in Castle Combe; the Salutation Inn at The Gibb and the White Hart at Ford are nearby dog friendly pubs.
- Parking
- Castle Combe visitor car park on Dunns Lane in Upper Castle Combe, a short walk above the village.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Castle Combe and By Brook Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Tortworth Estate - Underwood Farmhouse
Sleeps 12 · 3 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £2,579 / 7 nights
Weavers Cottage - West End
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £709 / 7 nights
Cotswolds - Keepers Barn
Sleeps 2 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £554 / 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.
All dog friendly stays in WiltshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Castle Combe and By Brook Circular dog friendly?
This walk earns a solid 8/10 for dog friendliness, and it's easy to see why. The By Brook offers several shallow spots along the wooded valley where dogs can splash about and swim, and back in the village The Old Stables cafe welcomes dogs, with the local pubs also reported to be dog friendly.
Can dogs be off lead at Castle Combe and By Brook Circular?
There's a good stretch of off-lead freedom through the woodland sections, but leads are required in a few specific spots. Dogs should be kept on lead across the Manor House golf course, along the lane section where cars and cyclists pass occasionally, and near the fenced sheep field early on the route.
What should I know before visiting Castle Combe and By Brook Circular with my dog?
The walk is 5.6km with around 100 metres of climbing, and the woodland paths and bridleway can get muddy and rocky after rain, so it's worth checking conditions before you go. Parking is at the visitor car park on Dunns Lane in Upper Castle Combe, a short walk above the village, and while there's no livestock on the route itself, the early fenced sheep field is worth being aware of if your dog is easily distracted.
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Castle Combe Car Park, Dunns Lane, Upper Castle Combe, Chippenham SN14 7HH
51.4980, -2.2238
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