Vogrie Country Park Circular
Midlothian
Vogrie Country Park surrounds Vogrie House, a Victorian mansion on the B6372 between Gorebridge and Pathhead in central Midlothian, run by Midlothian Council as one of the area's largest countryside parks. Dogs can go off lead here, though a lead is needed near the car park and the play areas. The council signs around 11.5 miles of paths through the estate's woodland, grassland and the Tyne Valley, taking in the river, a former golf course now managed as a wildflower meadow, and the grounds around the house. This 5km circuit is one way to link the main features, with accessible main paths near the house and car park, and steeper, rougher secondary paths further into the woodland and along the river. Vogrie House has a cafe and an accessible lift, and the wider park includes an adventure playground and a large events field.
This dog friendly walk allows off-lead exercise through most of the park once clear of the car park, where dogs must be kept on a lead, provided you can keep control around other visitors and wildlife. Dogs are not permitted in the Adventure Playground or Toddler Play Area, so plan around those if children are in the group too. The River Tyne runs through the park and gives water access for a paddle in places, and the woodland and wildflower meadow both offer scent and space to explore. Cleaning up after your dog is a legal requirement. Toilets are available near the car park, the playground and in Vogrie House, and parking is pay and display.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 40 min
- Walk Type
- Park, River, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Cafe, toilets and an accessible lift at Vogrie House; further toilets near the car park and adventure playground.
- Parking
- Vogrie Country Park car park, Midlothian Council, pay and display.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Vogrie Country Park Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Byre At Brothershiels
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £673 / 7 nights
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vogrie Country Park Circular dog friendly?
Vogrie Country Park scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, making it a solid choice for a day out with your dog in Midlothian. The park offers over 11 miles of signed paths through woodland, grassland and the Tyne Valley, with the River Tyne providing the chance for a paddle along the way. Dogs are welcome throughout most of the park, with just a few areas where restrictions apply.
Can dogs be off lead at Vogrie Country Park Circular?
Yes, dogs can go off lead through most of the park once you're clear of the car park, where leads are required. You'll also need to keep dogs on a lead near the Adventure Playground and Toddler Play Area. As long as you can keep control around other visitors and wildlife, there's plenty of space for a good off-lead run through the woodland, wildflower meadow and along the river.
What should I know before visiting Vogrie Country Park Circular with my dog?
Dogs must be kept on a lead near the car park and are not permitted in the Adventure Playground or Toddler Play Area, so it's worth planning your route if you have children with you too. The paths closer to Vogrie House are more accessible, while the woodland and riverside paths further into the park are steeper and rougher underfoot. Parking is pay and display, poo bags and clean-up are a legal requirement, and there's a cafe and toilets at Vogrie House if you need a break.
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