Salcey Forest
Northamptonshire
Salcey is an old forest — a remnant of the royal hunting woodland that once covered much of southern Northamptonshire, and some of the druid oaks here are thought to be over 500 years old. The Woodpecker Trail, longest of three waymarked routes, covers 9.7 km through the full extent of the SSSI woodland, passing veteran oak stands, open forest rides, and the atmospheric Church Path Oak corridor between Northampton and Newport Pagnell.
Dogs have the run of most of the forest off-lead, and the woodland floor rewards them generously: clay soil carrying damp mast and old bark smells, patches of wild garlic in spring, and bluebell drifts under the oaks that fill the air with something close to perfume in late April. The surfaced sections drain well but the Woodpecker Trail has substantial unsurfaced stretches that become seriously muddy from autumn through spring — check conditions before visiting with a dog that struggles on heavy going. No livestock concerns in the main forest body.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.7 km (6.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Café, toilets, play area at main car park
- Parking
- Pay and display main car park off Wootton Road, Hartwell, NN7 2HX
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salcey Forest dog friendly?
Salcey Forest is a great choice for a dog walk. It's an ancient woodland with three waymarked trails, the longest of which covers 9.7 km through veteran oak stands and open forest rides, and there's a café, toilets, and a play area at the main car park for the humans in the group.
Can dogs be off lead at Salcey Forest?
Dogs have the run of most of the forest off-lead, and there are no livestock concerns in the main forest body , so it's a genuinely relaxed environment for letting them roam. The woodland floor gives them plenty to investigate too, from damp bark smells and wild garlic in spring to bluebell drifts under the oaks in late April.
What should I know before visiting Salcey Forest with my dog?
The main thing to be aware of is the mud. The Woodpecker Trail has substantial unsurfaced stretches that can get seriously heavy from autumn through spring, so it's worth checking conditions before you go if your dog struggles on that kind of terrain. The surfaced sections drain well, so you can still enjoy the forest even on wetter days , just come prepared with towels and a boot mat for the car.
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