Welcombe Hills and Clopton Park
Warwickshire
Welcombe Hills and Clopton Park rises on the northern edge of Stratford-upon-Avon, where 60 hectares of grassland, woodland and wildflower meadows managed by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust create a surprisingly varied landscape above the Avon Valley. The 4.8 km circuit climbs through hay meadows cut in summer to open hilltop with views across the valley, then drops into enclosed woodland trails before crossing scrubby sections where brimstone butterflies and ground-nesting birds thrive. The 119 metres of climbing is gentle but gives the walk genuine elevation and a sense of leaving the town behind. The combination of hilltop exposure, sheltered woodland and flower-rich meadow within a compact space makes this one of the most rewarding short walks near Stratford.
This dog friendly walk offers moderate off-lead potential, though leads are sensible through the meadow sections where livestock may be grazing and where ground-nesting birds are vulnerable during breeding season. The grassland sections allow dogs to run with clear sightlines when stock-free, while the woodland provides shade and richer scent interest from leaf litter, bark and undergrowth. The wildflower meadows carry aromatic scent in summer — knapweed, oxeye daisy, bird's-foot trefoil — that adds a distinctive layer to the walk. The terrain suits dogs of all fitness levels, and the proximity to Stratford-upon-Avon means dog-friendly pubs and cafes are minutes away for post-walk refreshment.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.8 km (3.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Peak, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on route; Stratford-upon-Avon facilities nearby
- Parking
- Free parking at Welcombe Hills
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Welcombe Hills and Clopton Park dog friendly?
Welcombe Hills and Clopton Park is a solid choice for a dog walk, earning a 7 out of 10 on our dog-friendly rating. The 60-hectare site managed by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust offers a good mix of open grassland, woodland trails and wildflower meadows, giving dogs plenty of variety across a compact 4.8 km circuit. There are no facilities on the route itself, but dog-friendly pubs and cafes in Stratford-upon-Avon are just minutes away.
Can dogs be off lead at Welcombe Hills and Clopton Park?
There's moderate off-lead potential here, and the open grassland sections work well when stock-free, as clear sightlines make it easy to keep an eye on your dog. That said, leads are sensible through the meadow sections where livestock may be grazing, and it's worth keeping dogs close during breeding season to protect ground-nesting birds. The woodland trails offer great off-lead exploration too, with plenty of scent interest from leaf litter and undergrowth.
What should I know before visiting Welcombe Hills and Clopton Park with my dog?
The site is managed by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, so it's important to be mindful of grazing livestock and ground-nesting birds , keeping dogs on leads through the meadow sections is the considerate approach, particularly in spring and summer. The route involves around 119 metres of climbing, but the gradient is gentle and suits dogs of all fitness levels. There's free parking at Welcombe Hills, but no on-site facilities, so it's worth planning a post-walk stop in nearby Stratford-upon-Avon.
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