West Stow Country Park and River Lark Walk
Suffolk
West Stow Country Park lies in the Suffolk Brecks beside the River Lark, its 125 acres of heath, grassland and pine woodland surrounding a reconstruction of an early Anglo-Saxon settlement built on the site of an excavated 5th century village, with dogs kept on a lead throughout the country park. This circuit of around 4km follows the Beowulf and Grendel Adventure Trail through the country park, along the riverbank and through stands of Scots pine typical of the Brecks, with the thatched, timber framed halls of the reconstructed village visible from the path. The ground is flat and easy throughout, on sandy and grassy tracks that give a real sense of the pre-conquest Breckland landscape.
This is a dog friendly walk, and dogs on leads are welcome throughout the country park, though only assistance dogs can enter the Anglo-Saxon village itself, since livestock and rare breed animals are kept there. The River Lark gives a dog the chance to drink and paddle along the route, and the pine woodland offers shade in summer. There is no general livestock risk in the country park away from the village enclosures. The site has a cafe and toilets near the visitor centre, and parking is pay and display, with West Stow village and its pub a short drive away.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- River, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Cafe and toilets near the visitor centre; pub in West Stow village nearby.
- Parking
- Pay and display car park at West Stow Country Park.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to West Stow Country Park and River Lark Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in SuffolkFrequently Asked Questions
Is West Stow Country Park and River Lark Walk dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome throughout the country park, which earns a solid 7/10 for dog friendliness. The route follows a circular trail of around 4km through heathland, grassland and pine woodland, with the River Lark offering dogs a chance to drink and paddle along the way. The flat, sandy tracks make it a comfortable outing for most dogs.
Can dogs be off lead at West Stow Country Park and River Lark Walk?
Dogs need to be kept on a lead throughout the country park, so this isn't a walk for off-lead running. That said, the River Lark provides a natural spot for dogs to cool off and paddle, which can be a welcome treat on a warm day.
What should I know before visiting West Stow Country Park and River Lark Walk with my dog?
Leads are required throughout, and it's worth knowing that only assistance dogs are permitted inside the Anglo-Saxon village itself, as livestock and rare breed animals are kept within those enclosures. Away from the village enclosures, there's no general livestock risk in the wider country park. Parking is pay and display at the site, and there's a cafe and toilets near the visitor centre, with a pub in West Stow village a short drive away if you fancy rounding off the walk.
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