Spring Wood, Whalley
Lancashire
Spring Wood is a patch of semi natural ancient woodland on the edge of Whalley in the Ribble Valley, recognised for its variety with 24 different tree species recorded on the site and a Biological Heritage designation. No livestock grazes the wood, so a dog can wander freely among the trees and spring bluebells. This 4km circular walk winds through the wood on waymarked, surfaced paths past ponds and picnic areas before climbing gently to a small summit at about 120 metres, where a bench looks out over Whalley to Longridge Fell and the fells of the Forest of Bowland beyond. Wild garlic carpets parts of the woodland floor in spring, and the wood is best known locally for its bluebells in May. The paths are easy underfoot throughout, with only a short, gentle climb to the viewpoint.
This is a dog friendly wood with wide paths that suit dogs of any age, and locals walk their dogs here every day. There is no livestock on site, so a dog with good recall can enjoy a decent amount of freedom on the quieter paths away from the busier picnic areas near the car park. There is no natural water for a paddle, so bring a bowl on a warm day. The nearby Swan Hotel on King Street in Whalley welcomes dogs and serves home cooked pub food, a good option after the walk. Parking at the picnic site is a small charge, with disabled parking free, and toilets are available at the car park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Toilets at the picnic site car park; the Swan Hotel (dog friendly) on King Street in Whalley.
- Parking
- Spring Wood picnic site car park, Whalley (BB7 9DP), pay and display, free for disabled parking.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Spring Wood, Whalley, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Waterfall Cottage - Barnoldswick
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £551 / 7 nights
Cross Keys Inn Cottages - One Dorchester Drive
Sleeps 5 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £423 / 7 nights
Mersyke Farm - Summerfield Bungalow
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £697 / 7 nights
Lower Mount Farm - On The Tops
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £669 / 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.
All dog friendly stays in LancashireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Spring Wood, Whalley dog friendly?
Spring Wood is a well-loved spot for local dog walkers and gets a dog friendly rating of 7/10. The wide, waymarked paths suit dogs of any age, there's no livestock on site, and the wood is busy with dogs every day — it has a genuinely welcoming feel rather than just tolerating them.
Can dogs be off lead at Spring Wood, Whalley?
There's no livestock in the wood, which means dogs with good recall can enjoy a fair amount of freedom, particularly on the quieter paths away from the busier picnic areas near the car park. It's worth keeping that in mind near the car park itself, but out among the trees there's real scope for a good sniff around.
What should I know before visiting Spring Wood, Whalley with my dog?
There's no natural water in the wood for a drink or a paddle, so bring a bowl on warmer days. Parking at the picnic site car park (BB7 9DP) is pay and display, with free disabled parking, and there are toilets on site. If you fancy a post-walk meal, the Swan Hotel on King Street in Whalley is dog friendly and serves home cooked pub food.
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Spring Wood Picnic Site, Clitheroe Road, Whalley, Ribble Valley BB7 9DP
53.8162, -2.3864
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