Oldbury Court and Snuff Mills Riverside Circular
Bristol
Oldbury Court Estate and neighbouring Snuff Mills sit in the Frome valley at Fishponds, on land recorded in the Domesday Book that was once a hunting lodge in the Royal Forest of Kingswood, and with no livestock on the route a dog can range freely along much of the riverbank. The landscape designer Humphry Repton redesigned the grounds in 1799, and although the grand house burned down in 1948 and was demolished the following year, the parkland, woodland and riverside paths he shaped still survive under Bristol City Council's care. This 4.8km circuit follows the waymarked Frome Valley Walkway north east along the river from Snuff Mills, whose watermill was never actually used for snuff but for cutting stone in the 19th century, then loops back through Oldbury Court's woodland paths. There is around 90 metres of climbing on mostly flat, well used paths, with otters occasionally spotted in the river.
This is a dog friendly walk with large open parkland for off-lead play and riverside paths where dogs can paddle or swim in the River Frome. There is no livestock on the route, so dogs with reliable recall can range freely away from the busier stretches near the car parks and play area. Paths through Oldbury Court are informal rather than a single waymarked line, so you can shorten or extend the walk as your dog likes. A snack kiosk near Snuff Mills sells coffee, snacks and dog treats. Watch for cyclists sharing the Frome Valley Walkway path along the river.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.8 km (3.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- River, Woodland, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Snack kiosk (coffee, snacks and dog treats) and playground at Snuff Mills; toilets nearby.
- Parking
- Two free car parks: Oldbury Court car park (BS16 2JW) and Snuff Mills car park (BS16 1DL).
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Oldbury Court and Snuff Mills Riverside Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Tortworth Estate - Underwood Farmhouse
Sleeps 12 · 3 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £2,579 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oldbury Court and Snuff Mills Riverside Circular dog friendly?
This is a well-loved spot for dogs, earning a solid 8 out of 10 on our dog-friendly rating. The River Frome runs along much of the route giving dogs plenty of chances to paddle or swim, there's no livestock on the circular, and the snack kiosk near Snuff Mills even sells dog treats alongside your coffee.
Can dogs be off lead at Oldbury Court and Snuff Mills Riverside Circular?
Dogs with reliable recall can roam freely for much of this 4.8km circuit, as there is no livestock on the route. It's worth keeping them closer on the lead near the busier stretches around the car parks and play area, and be aware that cyclists share the Frome Valley Walkway path along the river. The informal network of paths through Oldbury Court's woodland gives you plenty of flexibility to adjust the walk to suit your dog.
What should I know before visiting Oldbury Court and Snuff Mills Riverside Circular with my dog?
There are two free car parks to choose from — Oldbury Court (BS16 2JW) and Snuff Mills (BS16 1DL) — making it easy to join the route at either end. The paths are mostly flat and well used with around 90 metres of climbing, so it's manageable for most dogs. Keep an eye out for cyclists on the riverside stretch, and if you're lucky you might spot an otter in the River Frome.
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Oldbury Court Car Park, Oldbury Court Road, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2JW
51.4866, -2.5268
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