Devil's Spittleful and Rifle Range
Worcestershire
The Devil's Spittleful and Rifle Range forms one of the largest remaining areas of lowland heath in Worcestershire, a sandy ridge of gorse, heather and scattered pine above the River Severn on the edge of Bewdley, where dogs can range widely off lead away from the fenced grazing compartments. Worcestershire Wildlife Trust manages the reserve alongside neighbouring Blackstone Rock and the wider Wyre Forest area, and has recently added fencing and improved access to protect both the heathland wildlife and the grazing animals used to manage it. A circular route around the reserve's paths covers around 4km on sandy, well drained tracks, with gentle undulation across the heath rather than any real climbing, and open views across the Severn valley from the higher ground.
This is a dog friendly reserve, and the sandy, well drained paths make for easy walking underfoot even after rain. Conservation grazing animals are kept within fenced sections of the heath, so dogs should be kept on a lead near the fence lines and gates rather than allowed to push through, though the wider paths away from the grazed compartments give scope for a dog with good recall to range more freely. The open heath has little shade, so this can be a hot walk in summer, and there is no natural water on site, so bring some for your dog. There are no facilities within the reserve itself, but Bewdley, a short drive away, has dog-friendly pubs and cafes by the river.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- Heathland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on site; dog-friendly pubs and cafes in Bewdley, a short drive away.
- Parking
- Small car park off the Kidderminster Road, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Devil's Spittleful and Rifle Range, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in WorcestershireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Devil's Spittleful and Rifle Range dog friendly?
Yes, Devil's Spittleful and Rifle Range is a dog-friendly reserve managed by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, and it earns a solid 7/10 on our dog-friendly rating. The sandy, well-drained paths make for comfortable walking underfoot whatever the weather, and there's plenty of open heathland to explore. Bewdley, a short drive away, also has dog-friendly pubs and cafes by the river if you fancy rounding off the walk with a bite to eat.
Can dogs be off lead at Devil's Spittleful and Rifle Range?
Dogs with good recall can enjoy a good degree of freedom here, as the open heathland paths away from the fenced grazing compartments give plenty of scope to range widely off lead. That said, you'll need to keep your dog on a lead near the fence lines and gates to avoid any interaction with the conservation grazing animals kept within those sections. It's a good spot for an off-lead run, but does reward a dog that will come back when called.
What should I know before visiting Devil's Spittleful and Rifle Range with my dog?
The most important thing to pack is water for your dog — there's no natural water source on site, and the open heath offers very little shade, which can make it a warm outing on sunny days. The circular route covers around 4km on sandy tracks with gentle undulation, so it's an easy walk, but plan accordingly in summer heat. There are no facilities within the reserve itself, though Bewdley is nearby if you need a break after the walk.
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Devil's Spittleful Nature Reserve, Kidderminster Road, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 1PZ
52.3706, -2.2868
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