Chaddesley Woods
Worcestershire
Chaddesley Woods is a National Nature Reserve of 101 hectares near Chaddesley Corbett, its eastern half ancient oak and hazel coppice woodland thought to have been continuously wooded for around 10,000 years, since the last Ice Age, and with no livestock here dogs can range its wide rides off lead. Worcestershire Wildlife Trust manages the reserve, which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the western section, once planted with conifers, is being restored to native broadleaf woodland. A network of paths and rides crosses the western side of the wood, and a circular walk on the main tracks and rides, passing close to the Hockley and Black Meadow grasslands (open to visitors on the Trust's designated open days), covers around 5km on mostly level ground with only gentle undulation.
This is a dog friendly wood, and the wide rides and forest tracks give a dog plenty of room to explore beneath a canopy that provides good shade throughout the summer. There is no grazing livestock on the wooded paths, though the two wildflower meadows, managed for species including dyer's greenweed and pepper-saxifrage, are only open to visitors on the Trust's designated open days, so keep to the main woodland paths at other times. The ancient woodland floor and standing dead wood, left in place for the reserve's beetles and hole-nesting birds, give plenty of scent for a dog to explore. There are no facilities within the reserve, so bring water for your dog, and Chaddesley Corbett village, a short walk away, has a dog-friendly pub.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- None within the reserve; a dog-friendly pub in Chaddesley Corbett village, a short walk away.
- Parking
- Small car park near the reserve entrance, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Chaddesley Woods, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Pear Tree Cottage Sheriffs Lench
Sleeps 2 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £555 / 7 nights
Apple Tree Barn - Eckington
Sleeps 6 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £862 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in WorcestershireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Chaddesley Woods dog friendly?
Chaddesley Woods is a good option for a dog walk, earning a 7/10 on our dog-friendly rating. The wide forest rides and tracks give dogs plenty of room to explore, and the woodland canopy provides welcome shade in summer. There are no facilities within the reserve itself, but Chaddesley Corbett village is a short walk away and has a dog-friendly pub.
Can dogs be off lead at Chaddesley Woods?
Yes, dogs can roam off lead on the woodland paths and rides, as there is no grazing livestock within the wooded areas of the reserve. The wide rides in particular give dogs good space to explore freely. Just be aware that the two wildflower meadows, Hockley and Black Meadow, are only open to visitors on Worcestershire Wildlife Trust's designated open days, so stick to the main woodland paths at other times.
What should I know before visiting Chaddesley Woods with my dog?
There are no facilities within the reserve, so bring water for your dog before you set out. The main circular walk covers around 5km on mostly level ground, making it an accessible outing for most dogs. The ancient woodland floor and standing deadwood left in place for wildlife mean there's no shortage of interesting scent for your dog to enjoy along the way.
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Chaddesley Woods National Nature Reserve, near Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire DY10 4NX
52.3595, -2.1326
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