Farley Mount Country Park
Hampshire
Farley Mount Country Park covers almost 230 hectares of chalk downland and ancient woodland a few miles west of Winchester, taking in the nature reserve at Crab Wood on its eastern edge, with grassy tracks good for a dog off lead. The high point, Farley Mount, carries a pyramid monument built in 1734 by Paulet St John after his horse survived a 25 foot fall into a chalk pit while fox hunting the previous year; the horse, renamed Beware Chalk Pit, went on to win the Hunters Plate at nearby Worthy Down. This 5.5km walk starts near Ashmore Hill Copse, climbs west to the monument at 174 metres, then loops through Crab Wood's oak, ash and hazel coppice, where bluebells cover the ground in spring and hawfinch and crossbill can be seen. The Clarendon Way and Monarch's Way cross it.
This dog friendly park has wide grassy rides and woodland paths that give plenty of room to roam, and Crab Wood's coppiced floor carries good scent for a dog that likes to explore. Cattle graze parts of the open downland at times, so keep dogs on a lead if you see a herd, and the same care applies on the bridleways, shared with horse riders. There is no water on the walk, so bring some for your dog, and no cafe or toilets in the park, though the Dolphin Inn in nearby Hursley is a dog friendly, 16th century pub worth the short drive afterwards. The going is easy on grass and chalk tracks, and the woodland gives welcome shade.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.5 km (3.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 40 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on site; the Dolphin Inn, a dog friendly 16th century pub, is a short drive away in Hursley.
- Parking
- Free car park near Ashmore Hill Copse at the southern end of the park.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Farley Mount Country Park, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Riverside Cottage - Winchester
Sleeps 8 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £2,570 / 7 nights
The Coach House Cottage - Lyndhurst
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £677 / 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 HampshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Farley Mount Country Park dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. Farley Mount's mix of open downland and Crab Wood's ancient woodland gives dogs plenty of space, and the paths are wide and easy underfoot. The main caveat is the cattle that graze parts of the open down at times, which means a lead is needed when livestock are about, along with the bridleways that are shared with horse riders.
Can dogs be off lead at Farley Mount Country Park?
Much of the walk allows a dog with reliable recall to be off lead, particularly in Crab Wood, where there is no livestock. On the open downland around the monument, cattle graze at times, so check the ground ahead and put your dog on a lead if a herd is nearby. The bridleways through the park are also used by horse riders, so recall matters here too.
What should I know before visiting Farley Mount Country Park with my dog?
The circular route from the car park near Ashmore Hill Copse is about 5.5km with some climbing to the monument, on easy grass and chalk paths. There are no toilets, cafe or water on site, so bring water for your dog and plan a stop at the dog friendly Dolphin Inn in Hursley afterwards. Bluebells cover Crab Wood in spring, and the paths can be busy with cyclists and riders at weekends.
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Farley Mount Country Park Car Park, near Ashmore Hill Copse, Winchester SO21 2JG
51.0489, -1.4055
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