Rollright Stones and Little Rollright Circular
Oxfordshire
The Rollright Stones are three separate Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments on the Oxfordshire and Warwickshire border: the King's Men stone circle, the Whispering Knights burial chamber, and the solitary King Stone across the road, none of which dogs may enter. This 8.5km circular walk uses the small car park beside the stones to link them with the villages of Little Rollright and Salford, crossing open farmland, quiet lanes and a stretch of woodland, with around 270 metres of ascent and descent across the rolling wolds of the north Cotswold fringe. The stones themselves have been a place of legend for centuries, with tales of a king and his army turned to stone by a witch.
This is a dog friendly walk, with moderate off-lead potential on the wider farmland sections away from the road and the monuments. Livestock grazes many of the fields along the route, so dogs need to go on the lead near sheep or cattle, and are not allowed inside the stone circles themselves to protect the site. There is little natural water on the route, so bring some for a warm day, and the open wold sections offer little shade, though the woodland stretch provides some relief. Roadside parking at the stones is free, and Chipping Norton, a short drive away, has dog-friendly pubs and cafes for afterwards.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.5 km (5.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on the route; cafes and pubs a short drive away in Chipping Norton.
- Parking
- Free roadside/layby car park immediately beside the Rollright Stones.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Rollright Stones and Little Rollright Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Stow On The Wold The Coach House
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £611 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in OxfordshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Rollright Stones and Little Rollright Circular dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on the walk, and it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The route links three ancient monuments through varied Cotswold-fringe farmland and woodland, with genuine historical interest along the way. The score is held back by grazing livestock in many of the fields and a lead requirement near the stone circles themselves, so it is not a big free-running walk.
Can dogs be off lead at Rollright Stones and Little Rollright Circular?
Moderate off-lead potential on the open farmland sections away from livestock and the monuments, where sightlines across the wolds are long. Sheep and cattle graze many of the fields along the route, so dogs should go on the lead near them, and are not permitted inside the King's Men stone circle or around the Whispering Knights to protect the ancient stones.
What should I know before visiting Rollright Stones and Little Rollright Circular with my dog?
Livestock is grazed in fields along most of the route, so keep a lead handy, and there is little natural water or shade on the open wold sections. The stones themselves sit right by the small free car park, so the walk can be shortened easily if needed. Chipping Norton, a short drive away, has dog-friendly pubs and cafes.
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Rollright Stones Car Park, A3400/A44 junction road, Chipping Norton OX7 5QB
51.9744, -1.5760
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