Quarry Bank and Styal Woods
Cheshire
Quarry Bank is a National Trust estate built around an 18th century cotton mill powered by the River Bollin, with the mill, its mill pond and the model village of Styal all part of the wider site. Dogs go on a short lead through the estate, past the mill and into ancient woodland where huge redwoods and rhododendrons grow. This 2.4 kilometre circular walk follows the Southern Woods Walk from the car park down through meadows and woodland to the Mill Yard, crossing Heron's Pool Bridge and passing an erratic boulder left by glaciers on its way. The path climbs back through ancient woodland where huge redwoods and rhododendrons were planted by the mill owners, before returning past a reservoir pond to the start. The going includes some slopes and cobbled sections, but nothing serious.
This dog friendly walk needs a lead for most of its length, since Quarry Bank asks visitors to keep dogs on a short lead in the Mill Yard, the shop, the Upper Garden and Styal village, and under close control across the wider estate. The River Bollin runs alongside much of the route, giving a dog plenty to sniff along the bank even without going off lead. There's no livestock on this route. The woodland gives good shade in summer, and the mill pond and weir add interest along the way. Parking is free at the large main car park, with toilets and a cafe at the visitor centre.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 55 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, River, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Cafe and toilets at the Quarry Bank visitor centre
- Parking
- Quarry Bank main car park, National Trust, free, Styal
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Quarry Bank and Styal Woods, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CheshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Quarry Bank and Styal Woods dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome at Quarry Bank and Styal Woods, and it earns a 7 out of 10 on our dog-friendly rating. The 2.4 kilometre circular walk through ancient woodland and along the River Bollin makes for a genuinely enjoyable outing with a dog, with the river bank offering plenty of sniffing interest along the way. Parking is free at the main car park, and there's a cafe and toilets at the visitor centre.
Can dogs be off lead at Quarry Bank and Styal Woods?
Dogs need to be kept on a short lead for most of this walk. Quarry Bank specifically requires leads in the Mill Yard, the shop, the Upper Garden and Styal village, and asks for dogs to be under close control across the wider estate. There's no livestock on the route, but this is effectively a lead-on walk throughout.
What should I know before visiting Quarry Bank and Styal Woods with my dog?
The route follows a circular path through meadows and ancient woodland, passing the mill pond, Heron's Pool Bridge and a glacial erratic boulder, with the River Bollin running alongside much of the way. There are some slopes and cobbled sections, so it's worth wearing sturdy footwear. The woodland provides good shade in summer, and since there's no livestock on the route, the main thing to be aware of is simply keeping your dog on a short lead throughout the estate.
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