Eastrington Ponds and Rail Trail
East Yorkshire
Eastrington Ponds is a 23 acre local nature reserve between Howden and Eastrington where dogs must be kept under close control and out of the water, created on land that was once industrial. The large pond fills the old Eastrington Brick Works site, and the smaller borrow pits were dug to supply material for the embankment of the Hull and Barnsley Railway, which carried coal for around a hundred years before it closed. Today the ponds hold wildfowl, water voles and dragonflies, the meadows hold orchids and wildflowers, and a mature woodland corridor of oak, ash, hawthorn and willow runs along the old line, where reed buntings and kingfishers can be seen. This walk combines the 1km circuit of the main pond, which has an accessible surfaced path, with the 2km trail along the former railway and its branch paths to the borrow pits. It is completely flat, with benches every 100 metres, a bird hide and three picnic areas.
This is a gentle dog friendly walk with no livestock, and the council asks only that dogs are kept under close control, kept out of the water and cleaned up after. The railway corridor gives shade and plenty to sniff, and a dog with reliable recall can enjoy some freedom along it, but the ponds are for wildlife, so no swimming. Entry is free, there is a car park on site, and the nearest toilets are in Howden.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.0 km (1.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 55 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Bird hide and three picnic areas; no toilets on site (nearest in Howden).
- Parking
- Medium sized car park at the reserve on Howden Road, Eastrington.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
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All dog friendly stays in East YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Eastrington Ponds and Rail Trail dog friendly?
Yes, Eastrington Ponds and Rail Trail is a welcoming spot for dogs, rated 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The reserve is free to enter, has no livestock, and the flat terrain makes it an easy outing for dogs of most ages and abilities. The council simply asks that dogs are kept under close control, out of the water, and that owners clean up after them.
Can dogs be off lead at Eastrington Ponds and Rail Trail?
There's no blanket ban on off-lead walking, and dogs with reliable recall can enjoy some freedom along the old railway corridor, where there's plenty of shade and interesting sniffing to be had. That said, the ponds are a protected nature reserve for wildlife including water voles and wildfowl, so close control is expected throughout, and dogs must be kept out of the water.
What should I know before visiting Eastrington Ponds and Rail Trail with my dog?
The walk is entirely flat and around 3km in total, combining the surfaced 1km circuit around the main pond with the 2km rail trail and its branch paths to the smaller borrow pits. There are benches roughly every 100 metres, three picnic areas and a bird hide, making it a relaxed pace for dogs and people alike. There are no toilets on site, so it's worth noting that the nearest facilities are in nearby Howden, and parking is available in the on-site car park on Howden Road.
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Eastrington Ponds Nature Reserve, Howden Road, Eastrington, Goole DN14 7PL
53.7599, -0.8184
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