Fenn's and Whixall Mosses from Morris's Bridge
Shropshire
Fenn's, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses form Britain's third largest lowland raised bog, nearly 1,000 hectares of peat straddling the Shropshire and Wrexham border near Whitchurch, and its flat paths make an easy lead walk for a dog. The reserve grew from sphagnum moss over thousands of years and was cut commercially for peat until the 1990s, leaving old peat cuttings and drainage rhynes that Natural England and Natural Resources Wales are restoring to living bog. This 7.1km circular walk starts at Morris's Bridge on the Llangollen Canal and follows flat, well marked paths and boardwalks out across the moss to Roundthorn Bridge, passing the Mammoth Tower viewing platform and the Charles Sinker bird hide before returning along the canal towpath. The going is level throughout with no real climbing, though paths can be muddy after rain.
This is a dog friendly walk across a rare and internationally important wetland, and the flat, easy paths suit dogs of all ages. Cattle and ponies graze parts of the moss as conservation grazing, so livestock can be encountered, and dogs should be kept on a short lead throughout, both to avoid disturbing ground-nesting birds and ground-living wildlife and because adders are present on the drier heath. The canal towpath section gives a dog the chance to cool off at the water's edge, though swimming is not encouraged near boat traffic. There are no cafes on the reserve itself, but Whixall Marina, a short walk away, has refreshments, and toilets are available at the Manor House site office during opening hours.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.1 km (4.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Canal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Café at Whixall Marina, a short walk from the reserve; toilets at the Manor House site office during opening hours.
- Parking
- Morris's Bridge car park, Natural England/Natural Resources Wales, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Fenn's and Whixall Mosses from Morris's Bridge, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in ShropshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Fenn's and Whixall Mosses from Morris's Bridge dog friendly?
Yes, this is a dog friendly walk across one of Britain's most remarkable wetlands, and it earns a 7/10 on our dog friendly rating. The flat, level paths and boardwalks suit dogs of all ages and fitness levels, making it a relaxed outing rather than a challenging hike. Just bear in mind that dogs need to be kept on a lead throughout the reserve.
Can dogs be off lead at Fenn's and Whixall Mosses from Morris's Bridge?
Dogs need to be kept on a short lead for the entire walk. The reserve is home to ground-nesting birds and ground-living wildlife that are easily disturbed, adders are present on the drier heath areas, and cattle and ponies graze parts of the moss as part of conservation management. The canal towpath section does give dogs a chance to get close to the water's edge, though swimming isn't encouraged where there's boat traffic.
What should I know before visiting Fenn's and Whixall Mosses from Morris's Bridge with my dog?
The 7.1km circular route starts at the free car park at Morris's Bridge and follows well-marked paths and boardwalks — it's level throughout, but paths can get muddy after rain so boots are a good idea. You'll encounter livestock on parts of the moss, and adders are present, so keeping your dog on a short lead isn't just a rule but genuinely good practice here. There's no café on the reserve itself, but Whixall Marina is a short walk away and has refreshments; toilets are available at the Manor House site office during opening hours.
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