Deffer Wood and Cannon Hall Circular
South Yorkshire
Cannon Hall is an 18th century country house near Cawthorne, west of Barnsley, where dogs need a lead near the sheep, cattle and rare breeds grazing throughout, set in parkland with lakes and a walled garden that the Spencer Stanhope family developed over two centuries. This 4km circuit leaves the pay and display car park at the hall, crosses fields and stiles towards Deffer Wood, climbs through the trees on a clearly marked main path, and skirts Cannon Hall Farm, home to rare breed animals, before returning past the parkland lakes. There is around 100 metres of climbing, on paths that cross farmland, uneven ground and a short unpavemented road section, with a genuinely steep stretch through the woodland.
This dog friendly walk crosses working farmland, so dogs need to be on a lead for the whole route, both for the sheep and cattle grazing the fields and for the several stiles that need lifting a dog over. The parkland lakes and walled garden near the hall are lovely but busy, and Cannon Hall Farm's rare breeds are not for dogs to meet, so keep a firm hold as you pass. The road section has no pavement and can carry fast traffic, so take extra care there. Cannon Hall's cafe, farm shop and garden centre are all near the start, and parking is pay and display at the hall.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 25 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Cafe, farm shop and garden centre at Cannon Hall; no facilities on the wider Deffer Wood section.
- Parking
- Pay and display car park at Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Deffer Wood and Cannon Hall Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Weavers Cottage - Slaithwaite
Sleeps 12 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,975 / 7 nights
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Deffer Wood and Cannon Hall Circular dog friendly?
Dogs are welcome on this 4km circular walk from Cannon Hall, though it comes with a few conditions that are worth knowing about before you go — hence its 6/10 rating. The route crosses working farmland and passes Cannon Hall Farm's rare breed animals, so it suits confident, well-handled dogs more than excitable ones.
Can dogs be off lead at Deffer Wood and Cannon Hall Circular?
Dogs need to be kept on a lead for the entire route. The fields are grazed by sheep and cattle, Cannon Hall Farm's rare breeds are nearby, and there's a short road section with no pavement and potentially fast traffic — so a lead throughout is genuinely necessary rather than just a precaution.
What should I know before visiting Deffer Wood and Cannon Hall Circular with my dog?
The route includes several stiles, so you'll need to lift your dog over them, and the woodland section through Deffer Wood has a genuinely steep stretch along with uneven ground — worth bearing in mind for older or less agile dogs. The parkland and lakes near Cannon Hall can get busy, and when you pass the rare breeds at Cannon Hall Farm, keep a firm hold. On the plus side, there's a café, farm shop and garden centre at the start, making it easy to refuel before or after your walk.
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Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens, Bark House Lane, Cawthorne, Barnsley S75 4AT
53.5710, -1.5903
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