Lanhydrock Woods and Respryn Bridge Circular
Cornwall
Lanhydrock is a National Trust estate south of Bodmin, best known for its Victorian house and formal gardens, but its woods run down to the River Fowey and are far quieter than the house, and most of this route can be walked with a dog off the lead. This 6.1km circular walk explores the less visited parts of the estate, through mature broadleaf woodland and bluebell woods to the river and the medieval bridge at Respryn, built after prayers in a chapel by the old ford failed to keep travellers safe. The return climbs back through the woods and an ornamental woodland garden of camellias and rhododendrons to the house and the car park. The route is graded easy to moderate, on woodland tracks and paths with no stiles and around 120 metres of climbing, and the woods are especially good for fungi in autumn.
This is a very dog friendly walk and one of the best in mid Cornwall for a dog that likes to roam. Most of the route can be walked off lead, with a lead needed only at road crossings and when passing the main entrance near the end. Livestock is not usually on the route, though the Lanhydrock parkland is occasionally grazed. The River Fowey gives a chance to drink and paddle, the woodland gives plenty of shade, and deer and other wildlife live in the woods, so keep an eye on chasers. The National Trust cafe near the car park is open to non-members.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.1 km (3.8 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 55 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, River, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- National Trust cafe near the car park (open to non-members); toilets at the visitor area.
- Parking
- Lanhydrock main car park, National Trust, pay and display, free for NT members.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Lanhydrock Woods and Respryn Bridge Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Christopher Cottage - Lanteglos
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £483 / 7 nights
Little Crugwallins - Sunny Skies
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £463 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in CornwallFrequently Asked Questions
Is Lanhydrock Woods and Respryn Bridge Circular dog friendly?
Lanhydrock Woods and Respryn Bridge Circular is one of the best dog-friendly walks in mid Cornwall, earning a rating of 8 out of 10. The 6.1km circular route through mature woodland has no stiles, offers shade throughout, and the River Fowey provides a chance for dogs to drink and paddle along the way. The National Trust cafe near the car park is also open to non-members, making it a great base for a day out.
Can dogs be off lead at Lanhydrock Woods and Respryn Bridge Circular?
Most of this walk can be enjoyed with your dog off the lead, which makes it particularly appealing for dogs that like to roam. You'll need to put a lead on at road crossings and when passing the main entrance near the end of the route. The parkland section of the estate is occasionally grazed by livestock, so it's worth being aware of that, and the woods are home to deer and other wildlife, so keep a close eye on any dogs with a tendency to chase.
What should I know before visiting Lanhydrock Woods and Respryn Bridge Circular with my dog?
The route is graded easy to moderate, with around 120 metres of climbing on woodland tracks and paths, and no stiles to navigate — so it's accessible for most dogs and owners. Parking is at Lanhydrock's main National Trust car park, which is pay and display (free for NT members), and there are toilets at the visitor area. The woods are especially rewarding in spring for bluebells and in autumn for fungi, and the River Fowey makes a lovely stop for a paddle before the return climb through the camellia and rhododendron garden.
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