Rushcliffe Country Park Circular, Ruddington
Nottinghamshire
Rushcliffe Country Park covers about 210 acres south of Ruddington and opened in 1993 on the site of a Ministry of Defence depot built in 1940, where bombs were filled and military supplies stored before it became a vehicle auction site, and today gives dogs some of the most generous off-lead space of any park in the area. Rushcliffe Borough Council has since turned it into a mix of grassland, wildflower meadow, young woodland and reed beds around a man-made lake, with more than 8km of paths and three marked heritage trails. This circuit of about 4km follows the lake and loops out through the meadows and woodland belts. The paths are flat, surfaced and well maintained, with only minor slopes away from the lakeside, so it works for pushchairs, wheelchairs and older dogs alike.
This is one of the most dog friendly parks around Nottingham, because the council sets out clear zones: dogs must be on a lead in the car park, around the lakeside and near the play areas, and outside those zones they can run freely in the open spaces as long as they stay under control. There is no livestock, and the fenced, gated dog agility trail is free to use at any time. Water birds use the lake and reed beds, so keep your dog out of the water. Shade is patchy on the open grassland on hot days. There is a pay car park on Mere Way, toilets at the visitor centre and a small cafe with outdoor seating.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr
- Walk Type
- Park, Lake, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Toilets at the visitor centre, small takeaway cafe with outdoor seating, play areas and a fenced dog agility trail.
- Parking
- Rushcliffe Country Park car park on Mere Way, Rushcliffe Borough Council, pay and display; free on-road parking outside the park.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Rushcliffe Country Park Circular, Ruddington, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Honies Farm Barns - The Barley Store
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £581 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in NottinghamshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Rushcliffe Country Park Circular, Ruddington dog friendly?
Rushcliffe Country Park is one of the most dog-friendly parks in the Nottingham area, earning a solid 8/10 rating. Spread across 210 acres with more than 8km of paths, it offers generous space for dogs to explore, a free fenced agility trail, and flat, well-maintained routes that suit dogs of all ages and fitness levels.
Can dogs be off lead at Rushcliffe Country Park Circular, Ruddington?
Yes, dogs can run freely in the open grassland and meadow areas as long as they stay under control. The council does require leads in specific zones — the car park, around the lakeside, and near the play areas — but outside those areas the off-lead space is genuinely generous. There's also a fenced, gated dog agility trail that's free to use at any time.
What should I know before visiting Rushcliffe Country Park Circular, Ruddington with my dog?
The lake and reed beds are used by water birds, so it's worth keeping your dog out of the water in those areas. Shade can be patchy on the open grassland during hot days, so plan accordingly in summer. On the plus side, there's no livestock in the park, a cafe with outdoor seating if you fancy a break, and toilets at the visitor centre — parking is pay and display on Mere Way, with free on-road options nearby.
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Rushcliffe Country Park car park, Mere Way, Ruddington, Nottingham NG11 6JS
52.8841, -1.1475
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