Highgate Common Circular Walk
Staffordshire
Highgate Common is a 132 hectare remnant of the lowland heath that once stretched for miles across this part of south Staffordshire before centuries of enclosure and, during the Second World War, conversion to farmland with concrete tracks that can still be traced today, and with no livestock here dogs can roam widely off lead across the heath. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Wombourne Parish Council now manage the common jointly, and restoration work has brought back heather, gorse, scattered birch and pine woodland and a scatter of ponds and boggy hollows on the sandy ridge above the Smestow valley. Six car parks give access to a network of sandy paths across the heath, and a circular route of around 5km takes in the open heather tops, the wooded fringes and a couple of the ponds, on gently undulating ground with no significant climbing.
This is a well loved dog friendly common, and the wide, open heath gives plenty of room for a dog under effective control to range across sandy paths away from other walkers. There is no grazing livestock on the common itself, though the ground can be uneven and boggy in the wetter hollows after rain, and the many small holes made by nesting solitary bees and wasps in summer are worth keeping a dog clear of rather than dug up. The ponds offer a paddling spot on warm days, and the mixed woodland gives shade. Toilets are open at the main car park through the day, and Wombourne, a short drive away, has dog-friendly pubs and cafes.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Heathland, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Toilets at the main car park (daytime); no cafe on site. Dog-friendly pubs and cafes in Wombourne.
- Parking
- Common Road car park (one of six around the common), Staffordshire Wildlife Trust/Wombourne Parish Council, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Highgate Common Circular Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in StaffordshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Highgate Common Circular Walk dog friendly?
Highgate Common scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's a genuinely great spot for a dog walk. The open heathland gives dogs plenty of space to roam, the sandy paths are easy going, and there's no livestock on the common itself. Toilets are available at the main car park during the day, and Wombourne is just a short drive away if you're after a dog-friendly pub or café afterwards.
Can dogs be off lead at Highgate Common Circular Walk?
Yes — there's no grazing livestock on the common, so dogs can roam widely off lead across the heath. The 132 hectares of open heather and sandy paths give plenty of room to range, and the wooded fringes and ponds add variety to the circuit. As with anywhere, dogs should be under effective control, particularly around other walkers and the ponds.
What should I know before visiting Highgate Common Circular Walk with my dog?
The ground can be uneven and boggy in the wetter hollows after rain, so it's worth wearing appropriate footwear. In summer, keep an eye out for small holes made by nesting solitary bees and wasps in the sandy ground — it's best to discourage digging around these. The ponds are a handy paddling spot on warm days, and the mixed woodland provides some welcome shade.
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Highgate Common Car Park, Common Road, Wombourne, Staffordshire DY7 5BS
52.5073, -2.2488
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