Shorne Woods Country Park Heritage Trail
Kent
Shorne Woods Country Park covers 288 acres of woodland, wetland and meadow on the ridge between Gravesend and Rochester, run by Kent County Council and holder of a Green Flag Award. It was once part of the pleasure grounds of the Cobham Hall estate, and from the 1920s clay was dug here for the cement industry; the old pits are now ponds, glades and picnic areas where dogs can run free between the on-lead sections. The waymarked Heritage Trail is a 3.5km circuit, allow around an hour and a half, that reads the park's past from the ground: the site of Randall Manor, a buried medieval manor house, the sunken Hollow Way, the Carriage Drive that once led to Cobham Hall, and the remains of a Second World War Royal Air Force camp. Paths are woodland tracks with some slopes, graded medium to difficult by the council, and there are longer colour-coded trails if you want more.
This is a dog friendly country park and one of the most popular dog walks in north Kent. There are extensive areas for off-lead exercise in the woods and meadows, with no grazing livestock, but dogs should be kept under control near the play areas, the visitor centre and the ponds with waterfowl, and on a lead around the cafe. The tree cover gives plenty of shade. Dog bins are dotted around the park, water bowls are left near the visitor centre, and the eco visitor centre has a cafe and toilets.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.5 km (2.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Visitor centre with cafe, toilets and shop; water bowls near the visitor centre; dog bins throughout.
- Parking
- Shorne Woods Country Park car park off Brewers Road, Kent County Council, pay and display.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Shorne Woods Country Park Heritage Trail, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in KentFrequently Asked Questions
Is Shorne Woods Country Park Heritage Trail dog friendly?
Shorne Woods Country Park is one of the most popular dog walks in north Kent, and it earns a solid 8/10 for dog friendliness on Wildpack Collective. The 288-acre park — run by Kent County Council and a Green Flag Award holder — offers a great mix of woodland, wetland and meadow, with facilities including dog bins throughout, water bowls near the visitor centre, and a cafe where you can round off your walk.
Can dogs be off lead at Shorne Woods Country Park Heritage Trail?
Yes, there are extensive off-lead areas across the woods and meadows, and no grazing livestock to worry about. Dogs should be kept on a lead around the cafe, near the play areas and visitor centre, and kept under control around the ponds where waterfowl are present — but for the most part there's plenty of room to let them roam freely.
What should I know before visiting Shorne Woods Country Park Heritage Trail with my dog?
The Heritage Trail is a 3.5km waymarked circuit rated medium to difficult by the council, with woodland tracks and some slopes, so it's worth bearing that in mind if your dog (or you) prefers flatter ground — allow around an hour and a half. The tree cover provides good shade throughout. Parking is pay and display at the Shorne Woods Country Park car park off Brewers Road, and longer colour-coded trails are available if you fancy extending the adventure.
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Shorne Woods Country Park Car Park, Brewers Road, Shorne, Gravesend DA12 3HX
51.4039, 0.4199
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