Ranworth and Malthouse Broad Circular Walk
Norfolk
Ranworth sits at the heart of the Broads, a village of staithes and reed thatched cottages beside Malthouse Broad, with Ranworth Broad hidden behind alder and reed carr just to the north, and a dog can walk this route on a loose lead except where the meadows are grazed. This 7km circuit leaves the village on tarmac lanes and farm tracks, crossing meadows and stiles to Panxworth, where a lone, part ruined medieval church tower stands in a field, before looping back through woodland and reedbed to Malthouse Broad. St Helen's Church in Ranworth, known as the cathedral of the Broads, has a 30 metre tower open to visitors with views over the surrounding rivers and broads as far as Happisburgh on a clear day. The terrain is flat throughout, on quiet lanes, earth tracks and short boardwalk sections that can be wet underfoot.
This is a dog friendly walk with plenty of quiet lanes and field paths for a dog on a loose lead, though stiles and livestock in the meadows limit full off lead freedom. The floating visitor centre and boardwalk trail on Ranworth Broad, run by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, do not allow dogs other than assistance dogs, so this route stays on the surrounding footpaths instead. Malthouse Broad gives a dog easy access to the water for a paddle, and the Maltsters pub beside the staithe is dog friendly. Livestock can be met in the meadows near Panxworth, so keep dogs on a lead there. Parking in Ranworth is limited, so arrive early on busy days.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.0 km (4.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- The Maltsters pub (dog friendly) on Ranworth Staithe; coffee and ice cream at the NWT visitor centre; toilets in the village.
- Parking
- Small public car park in Ranworth village, limited spaces.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Ranworth and Malthouse Broad Circular Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in NorfolkFrequently Asked Questions
Is Ranworth and Malthouse Broad Circular Walk dog friendly?
This walk earns a 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's a lovely route for dogs overall. Quiet lanes, farm tracks and field paths make up most of the 7km circuit, and Malthouse Broad offers dogs easy access to the water for a paddle. The Maltsters pub beside the staithe is dog friendly too, so there's a good spot to round off the walk.
Can dogs be off lead at Ranworth and Malthouse Broad Circular Walk?
Dogs can be walked on a loose lead for much of the route, but full off-lead freedom is limited in places. The meadows near Panxworth are grazed by livestock, so dogs should be kept on a lead there, and there are stiles to navigate along the way. It's best to treat this as a lead walk with some relaxed stretches rather than a run-free route.
What should I know before visiting Ranworth and Malthouse Broad Circular Walk with my dog?
One important thing to be aware of is that the floating visitor centre and boardwalk trail on Ranworth Broad, run by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, do not permit dogs other than assistance dogs — this route avoids that section and sticks to the surrounding footpaths instead. The terrain is flat throughout and can be wet underfoot, particularly on the earth tracks and boardwalk sections. Parking in Ranworth village is limited, so it's worth arriving early on busier days.
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