Chopwell Wood
Tyne and Wear
Chopwell Wood is a 360 hectare Forestry England woodland on the Gateshead and Durham border, planted mostly with beech, larch and pine over an older wood once used to supply timber for the Royal Navy. There is no livestock on the paths, so a dog can enjoy real freedom among the leaf litter, though it is worth keeping close on the main tracks, shared with cyclists and horse riders, where roe deer are often about. The Old Railway Footpath, a 2.2km route, follows part of the old Chopwell and Garfield colliery railway, closed in 1961, and crosses a stone bridge over the former line before climbing back to the car park. Away from this trail, longer routes include the more demanding Boundary Walk, a 7km circuit of the wood's perimeter through beech, larch and conifer blocks with a fair amount of climbing.
This is a dog friendly forest that welcomes dogs throughout, with plenty of scent among the leaf litter and conifer plantations. The wood is shared with cyclists, horse riders and the Chopwell Wood Horse Riding Association, so keeping dogs under close control or on a lead on the main tracks is sensible, particularly near junctions and the old railway bridge. There is no livestock on the paths, and roe deer are present in the wood, so a dog with a strong chase instinct is best kept on a lead. The main car park is free and open 24 hours, though it is unlit after dark, and there are picnic tables but no cafe or toilets on site.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 2.2 km (1.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 40 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Picnic tables; no cafe or toilets on site.
- Parking
- Free main car park at Chopwell Wood, open 24 hours (access road unlit after dark).
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Chopwell Wood, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Stables At Lintz Green House
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £598 / 7 nights
The Cottage - Whittonstall
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £636 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in Tyne and WearFrequently Asked Questions
Is Chopwell Wood dog friendly?
Chopwell Wood is a welcoming spot for dogs, with 360 hectares of beech, larch and pine to explore across the Gateshead and Durham border. Dogs are welcome throughout the wood, and with no livestock on the paths, there's plenty of freedom to sniff around the leaf litter and conifer plantations. It earns a solid 7/10 on our dog friendly rating.
Can dogs be off lead at Chopwell Wood?
Dogs can enjoy a good degree of freedom here, as there's no livestock on the paths. That said, the main tracks are shared with cyclists and horse riders, so keeping dogs under close control or on a lead near junctions and the old railway bridge is sensible. Roe deer are also present in the wood, so if your dog has a strong chase instinct, a lead is the safer option throughout.
What should I know before visiting Chopwell Wood with my dog?
The free car park is open 24 hours, though the access road is unlit after dark, so a daytime visit is easier to navigate. There are picnic tables on site, but no cafe or toilets, so it's worth bringing water for you and your dog. The wood is also used by the Chopwell Wood Horse Riding Association, so be ready to manage your dog calmly around horses on the main tracks.
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Chopwell Wood main car park, off Woodside Road, Chopwell, Gateshead NE17 7TD
54.9070, -1.8206
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