Greenham Common and the Control Tower
Berkshire
Greenham Common was a Royal Air Force and later United States Air Force base from 1942 until the last cruise missiles left in 1991, and the site of sustained peace camp protests through the 1980s, its wide-open ground now good for dogs with a reliable recall around the free-roaming cattle and ponies. Since the runway was broken up and the land returned to common land in the late 1990s, gorse heathland and grassland have reclaimed most of the former airfield, though sections of taxiway and the concrete cruise missile silos, along with the restored control tower, survive as reminders of its history. This 8km circular walk crosses the open common on wide, flat gravel and grass paths, with virtually no climbing, linking the runway remains with quieter heathland tracks around the perimeter.
This is a dog friendly common with high off-lead potential across the wide open heathland, where sightlines are long and the going is easy underfoot. Cattle and ponies now graze freely across the common to manage the heath and grassland, so dogs need reliable recall and should go on the lead near any herd, and ground-nesting birds use the gorse and grassland in spring and summer. There is little natural water on the open common itself, so bring some for a dog on a warm day, and shade is limited away from the wooded fringes. The Control Tower at the Burys Bank Road car park has a cafe with outdoor seating, and toilets are on site, making it a good start and end point.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Heathland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Cafe with outdoor seating and toilets at the Control Tower visitor centre.
- Parking
- Control Tower car park, Burys Bank Road; free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Greenham Common and the Control Tower, 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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greenham Common and the Control Tower dog friendly?
Greenham Common is a dog friendly site and scores 8 out of 10 on our rating. The wide open heathland gives dogs plenty of room to roam, and the Control Tower visitor centre at the Burys Bank Road car park has a cafe with outdoor seating, so you can stop for a coffee while your dog settles beside you.
Can dogs be off lead at Greenham Common and the Control Tower?
There's strong off-lead potential across the open heathland, where long sightlines and easy underfoot conditions make it straightforward to keep an eye on your dog. That said, cattle and ponies graze freely across the common to manage the land, so a reliable recall is essential, and you should put your dog on the lead whenever you're near a herd. Ground-nesting birds also use the gorse and grassland during spring and summer, so it's worth being mindful of where your dog is exploring in those months.
What should I know before visiting Greenham Common and the Control Tower with my dog?
The most important things to plan for are the livestock and the lack of water — cattle and ponies roam freely across the common, so your dog needs a solid recall, and there's little natural water on the open ground, so bring your own on a warm day. Shade is also limited away from the wooded edges of the site. On the practical side, parking is free at the Control Tower car park on Burys Bank Road, and toilets and a cafe with outdoor seating are available there, making it a handy base for the 8km circular route.
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Greenham Common Control Tower Car Park, Burys Bank Road, Thatcham RG19 8DB
51.3832, -1.2784
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