Lesnes Abbey Woods and Bostall Heath Circular
London
Lesnes Abbey was founded in 1178 by Richard de Luci, Chief Justiciar of England, perhaps as penance for his part in the quarrel between Henry II and Thomas Becket, and it was closed by Cardinal Wolsey in 1525, its surrounding woods now giving dogs plenty of ground to cover. The outline of the abbey survives as low walls on a lawn below 73 hectares of ancient woodland, now a Local Nature Reserve. The woods include the Abbey Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest, a fossil bed with important Palaeocene finds, and in spring they fill with native daffodils, wood anemones and bluebells. This 9.6km loop from Abbey Wood station climbs from the abbey ruins through Lesnes Abbey Woods, crosses into the larger Bostall Woods with their deep ravines and passes Bostall Heath, with its Iron Age tumulus, before returning. It is undulating throughout, with around 214 metres of climbing on woodland paths, grass and heath.
This is a dog friendly walk with lots of woodland for a dog with good recall to explore off lead, and no livestock anywhere on the route. The woods give shade in summer, though there is no stream to drink from, so carry water. Keep your dog on the paths in spring when the daffodils and bluebells are out, and away from the fossil bed. Keep dogs on a lead around the abbey ruins, where families picnic, and near roads between the two woods. There is a cafe and toilets by the abbey.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.6 km (6.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 50 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic, Heathland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Abbey Cafe and toilets by the abbey ruins; Chestnuts Kiosk and pubs near Abbey Wood station.
- Parking
- Parking near Lesnes Abbey is limited and was not verified; the route starts at Abbey Wood station (Elizabeth line and Southeastern).
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Lesnes Abbey Woods and Bostall Heath Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lesnes Abbey Woods and Bostall Heath Circular dog friendly?
Yes, this 9.6km woodland loop scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. There's plenty of ground to cover through 73 hectares of ancient woodland, and there are no livestock anywhere on the route. A cafe and toilets are located by the abbey ruins, making it a comfortable day out.
Can dogs be off lead at Lesnes Abbey Woods and Bostall Heath Circular?
Dogs with good recall can enjoy plenty of off-lead time through the woodland sections of this route. That said, keep your dog on a lead around the abbey ruins, where families picnic, and near the roads that connect the two woods.
What should I know before visiting Lesnes Abbey Woods and Bostall Heath Circular with my dog?
There's no stream along the route, so bring enough water for your dog, especially in warmer weather — the woodland canopy does provide good shade in summer. In spring, stick to the paths to protect the daffodils and bluebells, and keep dogs away from the fossil bed. Parking near the abbey is limited and unverified, so the Elizabeth line or Southeastern train to Abbey Wood station is the most reliable option.
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