Consall Nature Park and the Caldon Canal
Staffordshire
Consall Nature Park occupies a former industrial site in the Churnet Valley, where mining, lime kilns and a canal wharf once employed 1,500 men loading barges on the Caldon Canal, and today its towpath and woodland paths give dogs level, scent rich walking. The park opened in 1989 after Staffordshire County Council and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust reclaimed the valley for nature. A circular route of around 4km follows the canal towpath past the old wharf and lime kiln remains, crosses the River Churnet and climbs gently through oak and birch woodland on the old spoil heaps, with pools now home to dragonflies and waterfowl. The going is mostly flat, with one modest climb through woodland, and the isolated Black Lion pub and Consall railway station sit at the heart of the route on the heritage Churnet Valley Railway.
This is a dog friendly walk through a genuinely wild feeling valley, and the towpath and woodland paths give a dog plenty of scent and level walking, though a lead is sensible on the narrow, sometimes slippery sections above the old mine pools and near the canal edge. There is no significant livestock, and the river and canal give a dog the chance to cool off away from boat traffic on quieter stretches. The old industrial ground is uneven in places, with quarry faces and mine shafts fenced off, so keep dogs close on the higher paths. Parking near the visitor centre is limited, and the Black Lion at Consall Forge is dog friendly, a popular stop for walkers finishing the loop.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Canal, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- The Black Lion pub at Consall Forge (dog friendly); no toilets confirmed within the park itself.
- Parking
- Small car park near the Consall Nature Park visitor centre, Staffordshire County Council, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Consall Nature Park and the Caldon Canal, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Forget Me Not Cottage - Ashbourne
Sleeps 5 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £543 / 7 nights
Valley View - Peak District
Sleeps 8 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,408 / 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 StaffordshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Consall Nature Park and the Caldon Canal dog friendly?
Consall Nature Park rates a solid 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The canal towpath and woodland paths offer plenty of level, scent-rich walking, there's no significant livestock on the route, and the river and canal provide spots to cool off on quieter stretches. The Black Lion pub at Consall Forge is dog friendly, making it a welcome stop at the end of the loop.
Can dogs be off lead at Consall Nature Park and the Caldon Canal?
Dogs can enjoy a good degree of freedom on the flatter towpath sections and through the woodland, but a lead is sensible in several places. The paths above the old mine pools can be narrow and slippery, the canal edge requires care, and the higher paths pass fenced quarry faces and mine shafts where you'll want to keep your dog close.
What should I know before visiting Consall Nature Park and the Caldon Canal with my dog?
The circular route is around 4km with one modest climb through oak and birch woodland, so it's a manageable outing for most dogs. Parking near the visitor centre is limited, so arriving early is a good idea, and there are no confirmed public toilets within the park itself. The old industrial ground is uneven in places on the higher paths, so sturdy footwear is worth thinking about for you as much as your dog.
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