Driffield Canal and Nafferton Beck Waterways Walk
East Yorkshire
Driffield is a market town on the eastern edge of the Yorkshire Wolds, and this 11.1km loop lets dogs paddle in Nafferton Beck and the Driffield Canal for much of the way as it explores the waterways that run out of it. From the end of Meadow Road it follows Nafferton Beck across the fields towards Nafferton, then picks up the Driffield Canal and follows its bank back towards town, passing Wansford Lock, with signs on the history of Wansford Bridge and church. The final stretch crosses The Parks, an area of open grassland, and finishes at River Head in Driffield. The ground is flat throughout, on grassy beck side paths, field edges and towpath, with wooden kissing gates and several railway crossings. The path along the beck is easy to follow unless it is underwater, and it gets muddy after rain.
This dog friendly walk is one for water loving dogs, with the beck and canal alongside for most of the way, and the route guide's own dog went for a swim at Nafferton Slack. Away from the fields there is room for a dog with good recall to trot ahead, but leads are needed at the railway crossings, in the fields through the kissing gates where sheep may be grazing, on a private drive section and around River Head, where there is traffic. Walking the Wolds lists plenty of dog friendly cafes and pubs in Driffield for afterwards.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 11.1 km (6.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- River, Canal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- No facilities on route; cafes, pubs and toilets in Driffield, several listed as dog friendly by Walking the Wolds (including The Butchers Dog and Kinship Coffee).
- Parking
- A few roadside spaces at the end of Meadow Road, Driffield; otherwise town centre parking.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Driffield Canal and Nafferton Beck Waterways Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Old St Johns Church
Sleeps 10 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £2,071 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in East YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Driffield Canal and Nafferton Beck Waterways Walk dog friendly?
This walk scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness and is particularly well suited to water-loving dogs, with Nafferton Beck and the Driffield Canal running alongside for much of the 11.1km route. Dogs can paddle freely along the beck and canal, and the route guide's own dog apparently took a proper swim at Nafferton Slack. After the walk, there are several dog friendly cafes and pubs in Driffield to choose from, including The Butchers Dog and Kinship Coffee.
Can dogs be off lead at Driffield Canal and Nafferton Beck Waterways Walk?
Away from the fields, dogs with good recall can enjoy some freedom to trot ahead along the towpath and beck-side paths. However, leads are essential at the railway crossings, in fields where sheep may be grazing, along a private drive section, and around River Head in Driffield where there is traffic.
What should I know before visiting Driffield Canal and Nafferton Beck Waterways Walk with my dog?
The route is flat throughout with grassy paths, field edges and towpath, but it can get muddy after rain and the path along the beck may occasionally be underwater. There are wooden kissing gates and several railway crossings to navigate along the way. There are no facilities on the route itself, so it's worth making use of the toilets, cafes and pubs in Driffield before you set off or when you return.
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