Roddlesworth Reservoirs and Tockholes Plantation
Lancashire
The Roddlesworth valley in the West Pennine Moors holds two linked reservoirs, Lower and Upper Roddlesworth, built by the water company and now surrounded by the conifer and broadleaf plantations of Tockholes and Roddlesworth Woods. Livestock is light here, so a dog can range fairly freely on the wide forest tracks around both reservoirs. This 4.8km circular walk starts at the Roddlesworth Information Centre on Tockholes Road, follows the shoreline of both reservoirs and loops back through the plantation on wide forest tracks, with the option to extend the route west to Rake Brook Reservoir and the ruins of Hollinshead Hall. The going is flat and easy throughout on well made paths, making it a good choice after wet weather when higher moorland routes turn boggy.
This is a dog friendly walk in woodland that United Utilities manages alongside the reservoirs, and dogs are welcome on the plantation paths with moderate off lead potential away from the water's edge. The company asks that dogs are kept on a lead once you are on its reservoir land, since the water supplies drinking water for the area. Streams and shallow pools in the woods give a place to paddle, though it is worth checking local signs for blue-green algae blooms on the reservoirs themselves in summer before letting a dog swim. The Roddlesworth Information Centre has toilets and a cafe, parking is free, and the Royal Arms pub on Tockholes Road is a well known dog friendly stop close to the start.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.8 km (3.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Reservoir, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Cafe and toilets at Roddlesworth Information Centre; Royal Arms pub (dog friendly) on Tockholes Road nearby.
- Parking
- Free car park at Roddlesworth Information Centre, Tockholes Road (BB3 0PA).
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Roddlesworth Reservoirs and Tockholes Plantation, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Cross Keys Inn Cottages - One Dorchester Drive
Sleeps 5 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £423 / 7 nights
Lower Mount Farm - On The Tops
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £669 / 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.
All dog friendly stays in LancashireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Roddlesworth Reservoirs and Tockholes Plantation dog friendly?
Yes, Roddlesworth Reservoirs and Tockholes Plantation is a solid choice for a dog walk, earning a rating of 8 out of 10 on Wildpack. Dogs are welcome on the plantation paths managed by United Utilities, and the wide forest tracks give them plenty of room to roam. There's also a cafe at the Roddlesworth Information Centre and the nearby Royal Arms pub on Tockholes Road is a well-known dog friendly stop.
Can dogs be off lead at Roddlesworth Reservoirs and Tockholes Plantation?
There's moderate off lead potential here, particularly on the wide forest tracks through the plantation where livestock is light. However, United Utilities asks that dogs are kept on a lead once you're on reservoir land itself, as the water supplies drinking water for the area, so you'll need to be mindful of where you are on the route.
What should I know before visiting Roddlesworth Reservoirs and Tockholes Plantation with my dog?
The main thing to be aware of is the lead rule on reservoir land — keep your dog on lead near the water's edge, though the plantation tracks offer more freedom. In summer, it's worth checking local signs for blue-green algae blooms on the reservoirs before letting your dog swim, though streams and shallow pools in the woods provide safer spots to paddle. Parking is free at the Roddlesworth Information Centre on Tockholes Road (BB3 0PA), and the paths are flat and well made throughout, which makes this a particularly good option after wet weather.
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Roddlesworth Information Centre, Tockholes Road, Tockholes, Blackburn with Darwen BB3 0PA
53.6890, -2.5081
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