Smithills Estate: Dean Brook and Barrow Bridge Circular
Greater Manchester
Smithills Estate covers more than 1,600 acres on the western edge of Bolton, and since 2015 has been the largest site the Woodland Trust owns in England, taking in grassland, farmland, moorland, ancient woodland and the wooded ravines known locally as cloughs. Active farms mean livestock in some fields, so a lead helps a dog there, though the wooded cloughs give plenty of shade and interest. This roughly 8km circuit starts at Walker Fold, drops through the woodland of Dean Brook and on to the old spa village of Barrow Bridge, then climbs back along the moorland edge below Winter Hill before returning through Smithills Hall's grounds, without going all the way to the summit itself. The route mixes woodland tracks, riverside paths and open moorland edge, with one or two short road sections and a reasonable amount of climbing.
This is a dog friendly estate with plenty of variety for a dog to enjoy, from the scent of Dean Brook's woodland to the open moorland tracks higher up, and a well recalled dog can have moderate freedom off the lead on the quieter sections. The estate includes several active farms, so expect livestock in some fields, particularly in warmer months, and keep dogs on a lead around ground nesting birds on the moorland edge between spring and late summer. Dean Brook and the Barrow Bridge mill pond give places for a dog to drink or paddle. Smithills Hall has toilets and seasonal opening, and parking is free at the Walker Fold car park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Moorland, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Toilets at Smithills Hall (seasonal opening); a coffee kiosk at Walker Fold.
- Parking
- Free car park at Walker Fold, Walker Fold Road (BL6 6PR), Woodland Trust.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Smithills Estate: Dean Brook and Barrow Bridge Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Lower Mount Farm - On The Tops
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £669 / 7 nights
Cross Keys Inn Cottages - One Dorchester Drive
Sleeps 5 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £423 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smithills Estate: Dean Brook and Barrow Bridge Circular dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. There is a huge amount of varied ground to explore, from woodland to open moorland edge, with water at Dean Brook and free parking at Walker Fold. The score reflects the livestock on the estate's working farms and the lead requirement around ground nesting birds on the moorland in spring and summer.
Can dogs be off lead at Smithills Estate: Dean Brook and Barrow Bridge Circular?
There is moderate off lead potential on the quieter woodland and moorland edge sections for a dog with reliable recall. Keep dogs on a lead around the estate's working farms, where livestock is present, and on the open moorland between spring and late summer, when ground nesting birds are most vulnerable to disturbance.
What should I know before visiting Smithills Estate: Dean Brook and Barrow Bridge Circular with my dog?
Park for free at the Walker Fold car park on Walker Fold Road. The estate includes several active farms, so expect livestock in some fields, and dogs should be on a lead around ground nesting birds on the moorland edge in spring and summer. Smithills Hall has toilets and is open seasonally, and the route includes one or two short road sections.
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