Newmillerdam Country Park Lake and Woods
West Yorkshire
Newmillerdam Country Park is a local nature reserve three and a half miles south of Wakefield where dogs need to be kept on a lead near the wildfowl on the busy lakeside path, set around a long lake held back by a stone dam on Barnsley Road. On the eastern shore stands the boathouse, built in the 1820s for the Pilkington family to entertain their guests and now a cafe. This 4.3km circuit starts from the car park at the northern end, follows the surfaced path around the lake and dips in and out of Kings Wood and Bushcliff Wood on the slopes above the water, where broadleaved and conifer trees give way to carpets of bluebells in spring. The lakeside path is level and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, while the woodland paths add a little gentle climbing and some mud after rain.
This is a dog friendly walk that suits dogs of every age, with easy paths, shade from the woods and no livestock. The woodland sections give a dog with good recall some freedom, while the lakeside path is busy with families, runners and ducks, geese and swans, so a lead is sensible there. It is best not to let dogs swim in the lake with so much wildfowl about. The Boathouse cafe and The Dam Inn, with its patio above the dam, are both listed as dog friendly. Toilets are on site, and the car park is pay and display.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.3 km (2.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, Woodland, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- The Boathouse cafe (listed as dog friendly), toilets; The Dam Inn on Barnsley Road (listed as dog friendly).
- Parking
- Newmillerdam Country Park car park on Barnsley Road, Wakefield Council, pay and display.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Newmillerdam Country Park Lake and Woods, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Weavers Cottage - Slaithwaite
Sleeps 12 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,975 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in West YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Newmillerdam Country Park Lake and Woods dog friendly?
Newmillerdam Country Park is a great choice for dogs, earning a solid 8 out of 10 on our dog-friendly rating. The 4.3km circuit suits dogs of all ages, with easy paths, woodland shade and no livestock to worry about. Both the Boathouse cafe and The Dam Inn on Barnsley Road are listed as dog friendly, so there are good options for a post-walk drink or bite to eat.
Can dogs be off lead at Newmillerdam Country Park Lake and Woods?
Dogs can enjoy some off-lead freedom in the woodland sections — Kings Wood and Bushcliff Wood — provided they have good recall. On the busy lakeside path, however, a lead is sensible, as it's popular with families, runners and a resident population of ducks, geese and swans. It's also best to keep dogs out of the lake itself, given the amount of wildfowl on the water.
What should I know before visiting Newmillerdam Country Park Lake and Woods with my dog?
The lakeside path is surfaced, level and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, while the woodland paths involve a little gentle climbing and can get muddy after rain — worth bearing in mind for what you wear. Parking is pay and display at the Barnsley Road car park, and there are toilets on site. In spring, the woodland slopes are carpeted in bluebells, which makes it a particularly lovely time to visit.
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Newmillerdam Country Park Car Park, Barnsley Road, Newmillerdam, Wakefield WF2 6PZ
53.6370, -1.5007
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