Seaton and the Welland Viaduct Circular Walk
Rutland
Seaton is a small Rutland village on the ridge above the Welland Valley, and this circular walk drops down from the village to circle the Welland Viaduct, the 82-arch railway bridge that carries the Oakham to Kettering line nearly three quarters of a mile across the valley floor. Built by the Midland Railway in the 1870s, it is the longest masonry viaduct across a valley in England, with a riverside stretch where a dog can go off the lead. The route of about 7.1km follows field paths and a stretch of the Jurassic Way and Rutland Round down to the River Welland, crosses it at Turtle Bridge, and climbs back up through Harringworth before returning to Seaton along quiet lanes. Expect three stiles, around 1.5km of minor road walking, and enough climbing either side of the valley to call it hilly by local standards.
This is a dog friendly walk with moderate off-lead potential on the riverside stretch beside the Welland and the quieter field paths, though dogs should go on the lead through the grazed fields around Seaton and Harringworth, where sheep and cattle are often present. The river offers a paddle for a dog on a warm day, and the valley floor gives shade under the viaduct's arches. Stiles and gates need a dog that can be lifted or that will wait for a hand over, and the road sections call for a lead near traffic. There are no facilities on the route, and roadside parking near Seaton is limited, so arrive early at weekends.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.1 km (4.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 25 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on route.
- Parking
- Limited roadside parking near Seaton church, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Seaton and the Welland Viaduct Circular Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in RutlandFrequently Asked Questions
Is Seaton and the Welland Viaduct Circular Walk dog friendly?
This walk is reasonably dog friendly, earning a 7 out of 10 on our rating. The riverside stretch beside the Welland offers some lovely off-lead time, and on a warm day your dog can splash about in the river beneath the viaduct's arches. The main things to be aware of are the livestock in the fields around Seaton and Harringworth, and three stiles on the route that will need some management.
Can dogs be off lead at Seaton and the Welland Viaduct Circular Walk?
There is good off-lead potential along the riverside stretch beside the Welland and on some of the quieter field paths. However, dogs should be kept on the lead through grazed fields around Seaton and Harringworth, where sheep and cattle are often present, and on the road sections. It is a route with moderate rather than extensive off-lead freedom overall.
What should I know before visiting Seaton and the Welland Viaduct Circular Walk with my dog?
The route is about 7.1km and genuinely hilly either side of the valley, so it suits a dog with a reasonable level of fitness. There are three stiles to navigate, so your dog will need to be liftable or comfortable waiting to be helped over, and around 1.5km of the route follows minor roads where a lead is needed. There are no facilities on the route at all, so bring water and anything else you need, and note that parking near Seaton church is limited to roadside spaces — arriving early at weekends is a good idea.
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