Southwell Trail: Southwell to Kirklington
Nottinghamshire
The Southwell Trail follows 7.5 miles of former railway between Southwell and Bilsthorpe, flat and traffic-free enough for a dog to walk off the lead. The Southwell to Farnsfield section opened in 1871 as part of the Midland Railway's line from Rolleston Junction to Mansfield, lost its passengers in 1929 and closed completely by 1968, before becoming a shared-use path in 2005 and 2006. It is now a Local Nature Reserve and a green corridor for wildlife, with scrub, meadow and woodland where common lizards, yellowhammers and green woodpeckers are recorded. This walk starts at the old station site on Station Road in Southwell and heads west past the old mill hamlet of Maythorne, where the trail shares its line with the Robin Hood Way, to the car park at Kirklington's former station, then returns the same way, about 8.4km in all. It is flat throughout on a firm, well-drained surface.
This is a dog friendly walk that suits almost any dog, and the county council welcomes dogs on a lead or under close control. There is no traffic along the old line, hedges and trees give shade, and a dog with reliable recall can walk free along much of it. Farmland borders the trail, so keep your dog close where gaps open onto fields. It is a shared route with cyclists and horse riders, so call your dog in when either approaches. There is no reliable water, so carry some. Parking is at the Southwell Trail car park, and Southwell has cafes and pubs a short walk away.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.4 km (5.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- None on the trail; cafes, pubs and toilets in Southwell town centre, including The Final Whistle pub by the Southwell car park (dog policy not confirmed).
- Parking
- Southwell Trail car park on Station Road, Southwell (Nottinghamshire County Council); also car parks at Kirklington, Farnsfield and Bilsthorpe.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Southwell Trail: Southwell to Kirklington, 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 Southwell Trail: Southwell to Kirklington dog friendly?
Yes, the Southwell Trail is a great choice for dogs and earns a solid 8 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. Nottinghamshire County Council welcomes dogs on a lead or under close control, and the flat, traffic-free old railway line suits almost any dog. The route runs 8.4km from Southwell to Kirklington's former station and back, making it a manageable and enjoyable outing for most dogs and their owners.
Can dogs be off lead at Southwell Trail: Southwell to Kirklington?
Dogs with reliable recall can walk off the lead along much of the trail, as there's no traffic on the old railway line. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind: farmland borders the route and gaps occasionally open onto fields, so keep your dog close in those spots. The trail is also shared with cyclists and horse riders, so call your dog in whenever either approaches.
What should I know before visiting Southwell Trail: Southwell to Kirklington with my dog?
There's no reliable water source along the trail itself, so bring enough for you and your dog, especially on warmer days. Parking is at the Southwell Trail car park on Station Road, and Southwell town centre — a short walk away — has cafes, pubs and toilets if you need them after the walk. The surface is firm and well-drained throughout, and hedges and trees provide shade along the way, which makes it a comfortable walk in most conditions.
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