Lindow Common, Wilmslow
Cheshire
Lindow Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve on the western edge of Wilmslow, a rare mix of lowland heath, birch woodland and wet mire habitat within a Cheshire town. With no livestock here, a dog can range across the open heather and birch woodland with real freedom. This gentle circular walk of around 2 kilometres crosses open heather, ling and gorse before dropping into birch woodland around Black Lake, a small pool that attracts mandarin ducks, grebes and Canada geese. A surfaced path gives easy access as far as the lake, with informal paths crisscrossing the wider heath for those who want to explore further. The common connects east along the River Bollin towards Styal, so the walk can easily be extended for those with more time.
This is a very dog friendly common, popular with local dog walkers and provided with waste bins at both car parks. The open heath gives good off-lead potential for a dog with reasonable recall, and there's no livestock anywhere on the site. Parts of the mire are boggy and ecologically sensitive, so it's worth keeping dogs to the paths in these wetter areas rather than letting them range freely there. Black Lake is shallow enough for a dog to paddle in, though it is also a wildlife haven, so some restraint near the nesting birds is sensible. Hickory's Smokehouse adjoins the northern car park and welcomes dogs, with water bowls and treats on offer.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 2.0 km (1.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 40 min
- Walk Type
- Heathland, Woodland, Lake
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Hickory's Smokehouse adjoins the northern car park and welcomes dogs with water bowls and treats
- Parking
- Two free car parks on Racecourse Road, Wilmslow, one opposite Hickory's Smokehouse
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Lindow Common, Wilmslow, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CheshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Lindow Common, Wilmslow dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. This heathland common has free parking, dog waste bins at both car parks and a dog friendly pub right next to the northern one, with no livestock and good off-lead potential on the open heath. The main caveat is that parts of the mire are boggy and ecologically sensitive, so dogs are best kept to the paths there.
Can dogs be off lead at Lindow Common, Wilmslow?
Off-lead potential is high across the open heath, where paths are wide and there's no livestock to worry about. Around Black Lake and the wetter mire areas it's worth keeping a closer eye, since the ground is boggy and ecologically sensitive and the lake attracts nesting wildfowl. A dog with reasonable recall will have plenty of room to roam on the drier heathland.
What should I know before visiting Lindow Common, Wilmslow with my dog?
This is an easy, short walk of around 2 kilometres across heath, woodland and around Black Lake, with no livestock. Keep dogs to the paths in the boggier mire areas, which are a protected habitat. Dog waste bins are provided at both car parks on Racecourse Road, and Hickory's Smokehouse beside the northern car park welcomes dogs with water and treats.
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