Cuerden Valley Park Circular
Lancashire
Cuerden Valley Park covers 650 acres of woodland, meadow and parkland in the valley of the River Lostock between Bamber Bridge, Clayton Green and Whittle-le-Woods. Livestock grazes some of the fields, so dogs go on a lead there, though there's room to roam elsewhere. It was once the grounds of Cuerden Hall and has been run by the Cuerden Valley Park Trust, a charity, since 1992, with ten miles of paths, a lake, oxbow ponds, a Victorian walled orchard and a pinetum. This 6.8km circuit from the Berkeley Drive car park crosses the Lostock by bridge or ford, follows the river upstream on the National Cycle Route 55 track, climbs through the woods to Cam Lane, then loops around Cuerden Lake and back through Cock Robin Wood. The going is easy, on lanes, gravel paths and woodland tracks, with muddy patches, six flights of steps and no stiles.
This is a dog friendly walk that locals use every day. The Trust allows dogs throughout the park under close control, and in the woods and along the river a dog with good recall has plenty of freedom. There are cattle or sheep in some of the fields, and dogs must be on a lead in any field with livestock, so check each gate. The Lostock gives shallow water to paddle in at the ford and the stepping stones, and the woods give shade. Keep dogs out of the education areas by the river when school groups are there. Cuerden View Café at the visitor centre welcomes dogs on a lead.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.8 km (4.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Park, Woodland, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Cuerden View Café (dogs welcome on a lead) and The Roost outdoor bar at the visitor centre by Berkeley Drive car park; toilets at the visitor centre.
- Parking
- Berkeley Drive car park (PR5 6BY), Cuerden Valley Park Trust, paid ANPR parking; other car parks at Wigan Road, Town Brow, Stag Lodge and Kem Mill.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Cuerden Valley Park Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Cross Keys Inn Cottages - One Dorchester Drive
Sleeps 5 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £423 / 7 nights
Meadow Cottage At Swarbrick Hall Farm
Sleeps 10 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £1,917 / 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 LancashireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Cuerden Valley Park Circular dog friendly?
Cuerden Valley Park scores 8 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating, and it's easy to see why — the Cuerden Valley Park Trust welcomes dogs throughout this 650-acre park under close control. The route itself is a great day out for dogs, with river paddling at the ford and stepping stones, shaded woodland paths, and a 6.8km circuit that's largely easy-going with no stiles. Cuerden View Café at the visitor centre also welcomes dogs on a lead, so you can finish with a well-earned coffee.
Can dogs be off lead at Cuerden Valley Park Circular?
Dogs can enjoy good freedom in the woods and along the River Lostock, so a dog with reliable recall will have plenty of room to explore off lead in those areas. However, leads are required in any field where livestock is grazing, so it's worth checking each gate as you go — cattle and sheep do use some of the fields. The park has ten miles of paths in total, so there's no shortage of space to let dogs stretch their legs responsibly.
What should I know before visiting Cuerden Valley Park Circular with my dog?
The main thing to keep in mind is the livestock — dogs must be on a lead in any field with cattle or sheep, so get into the habit of checking each gate before you pass through. It's also worth avoiding the education areas by the river when school groups are visiting. The route itself is straightforward, with muddy patches and six flights of steps to be aware of, and parking is paid ANPR at the main Berkeley Drive car park (PR5 6BY).
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Berkeley Drive Car Park, Cuerden Valley Park, Bamber Bridge, Preston PR5 6BY
53.7085, -2.6607
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