Hirsel Country Park Circular
Scottish Borders
The Hirsel is the 500-acre estate of the Earls of Home on the edge of Coldstream, its parkland, lake and woodland open to the public year-round. Dogs are welcome on a lead, since Highland cattle and sheep graze the open parkland the route crosses. This 6.4km circular from the Homestead links several waymarked routes, including the Lake Walk around the Lake of Hirsel and the Dundock Walk through Dundock Wood, known for its rhododendrons and azaleas. The route crosses the Leet Water and skirts Hirsel Law, with views over the Merse of Berwickshire farmland, before returning through mixed woodland where red squirrels are resident. Underfoot is a mix of gravel drives, grass paths and estate tracks, gently undulating rather than steep, with around 156 metres of climbing over the full loop. A shorter 1.6km Lake Walk alone is available for a quicker outing.
This dog friendly walk suits dogs that are happy on a lead, since Highland cattle and sheep graze open parkland along parts of the route and dogs need to stay leashed through those fields. The Lake of Hirsel gives dogs plenty to watch, with herons, geese and resident otters, though reeds limit swimming access along most of the shore. Dundock Wood offers shade and rich woodland scent away from the grazing fields, and the Leet Water crossings give a paddling spot where the bank allows. Parking is at the Homestead, where a small museum, gift shop and tea room sit alongside toilets, and Coldstream is a short drive away for further dog-friendly stops.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.4 km (4.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 50 min
- Walk Type
- Park, Lake, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Museum, gift shop and tea room at the Homestead; toilets on site.
- Parking
- Homestead car park at The Hirsel, Coldstream, pay and display.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Hirsel Country Park Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Green Cottage - Swinton
Sleeps 6 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £839 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in Scottish BordersFrequently Asked Questions
Is Hirsel Country Park Circular dog friendly?
Yes, and it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. Dogs are welcome throughout the 500-acre estate, with a lake, woodland and riverside to explore, plus a tea room and toilets at the Homestead. The main caveat is that Highland cattle and sheep graze open parkland along the route, so dogs need to be kept on a lead for most of the walk rather than allowed to roam free.
Can dogs be off lead at Hirsel Country Park Circular?
Off-lead opportunities are limited. Highland cattle and sheep graze several of the open parkland fields the route crosses, so a lead is the safer and more considerate choice for most of the walk. Dundock Wood, away from the grazing areas, gives a little more scope for a dog with reliable recall, but the estate as a whole is best treated as an on-lead walk given the livestock.
What should I know before visiting Hirsel Country Park Circular with my dog?
Keep dogs on a lead around the grazing fields, where Highland cattle and sheep are present, and near the Lake of Hirsel where nesting wildfowl can be disturbed. The full circular is 6.4km with gentle undulation and around 156 metres of climbing, or you can shorten it to the 1.6km Lake Walk. Parking, toilets, a museum and a tea room are all at the Homestead.
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