High Bradfield, Dale Dike and Agden Reservoirs Circular
South Yorkshire
Bradfield is a pair of villages in the hills west of Sheffield where dogs cross a couple of stiles on the way, inside the Peak District National Park, and this 7.2km circuit from Low Bradfield climbs to St Nicholas's Church at High Bradfield before dropping to Dale Dike and Agden Reservoirs below. Dale Dike was the scene of one of Britain's worst dam failures: when its newly finished embankment collapsed in 1864, around 650 million gallons of water swept down the Loxley Valley into Sheffield, killing more than 250 people, and a memorial on the route recalls the flood. The walk follows country lanes, woodland paths and reservoir tracks, with roughly 280 metres of climbing and a mix of gates, a couple of ladder stiles and one squeeze stile underfoot.
This dog friendly walk mixes farmland, woodland and waterside paths, so it suits a dog happy on a lead for parts of the route. The lanes and fields around Bradfield are farmed, with sheep likely in the pastures, so keep dogs close and on a lead near livestock, and be ready to lift a dog over the ladder stiles. The reservoir tracks give easier, flatter walking where a dog with good recall can range a little further, though Yorkshire Water asks that dogs stay out of the water, since there is hidden machinery and a blue-green algae risk. The climb up to High Bradfield gives wide views back over both reservoirs. Park freely in Low Bradfield, where the Old Horns Inn nearby is known as dog friendly.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.2 km (4.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Reservoir, Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Toilets, cafes and pubs in Low Bradfield; the Old Horns Inn near Bradfield is known to be dog friendly.
- Parking
- Free street parking in Low Bradfield, near The Plough Inn.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to High Bradfield, Dale Dike and Agden Reservoirs Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Green Farm Holiday Cottages - The Pig Sty
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £523 / 7 nights
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is High Bradfield, Dale Dike and Agden Reservoirs Circular dog friendly?
This walk is rated 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness, making it a solid choice for most dogs. It mixes farmland, woodland and waterside paths, and while dogs need to be on a lead for parts of the route, the flatter reservoir tracks offer more relaxed walking. There's free parking in Low Bradfield and the nearby Old Horns Inn is known to welcome dogs too.
Can dogs be off lead at High Bradfield, Dale Dike and Agden Reservoirs Circular?
Off-lead time depends on the section of the route. The lanes and fields around Bradfield are farmed with sheep likely in the pastures, so leads are essential there, and dogs should be kept close near livestock throughout. Along the reservoir tracks the walking is easier and flatter, and a dog with good recall can range a little more freely — though Yorkshire Water asks that dogs stay out of the water due to hidden machinery and a blue-green algae risk.
What should I know before visiting High Bradfield, Dale Dike and Agden Reservoirs Circular with my dog?
The route includes a couple of ladder stiles and one squeeze stile, so be prepared to lift your dog if needed. There's around 280 metres of climbing over the 7.2km circuit, so it's a moderately hilly day out — the ascent to St Nicholas's Church at High Bradfield rewards with wide views back over both reservoirs. Sheep are likely in the surrounding pastures, so a reliable lead is a must for those sections of the walk.
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