Wimbledon Common Windmill and Queensmere Circular
London
Wimbledon Common is part of more than 1,000 acres of open land protected by the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act of 1871, giving dogs plenty of heath and woodland to explore off lead away from the ponds and golf fairways. It splits into two kinds of country: open heathland on the high ground to the north and east, and mixed woodland on the London Clay slopes to the west. At its centre stands Wimbledon Windmill, built in 1817 and now a museum with its machinery on view. This circuit of around 4.8km starts at the free Windmill car park, drops through the trees to Queensmere, a wooded pond, then follows the valley down to Beverley Brook on the western edge before climbing gently back across the heath to the mill. There is only around 50 metres of climbing, on sandy tracks, grass and woodland paths that turn muddy in winter.
This is a dog friendly walk with real off-lead space for most of the year. Dogs must be in sight and under effective control, and from 1 March to 31 August they must be on a lead around all the ponds and on the mown paths across The Plain, where skylarks nest. Beverley Brook is slow flowing and a favourite spot for dogs to paddle and swim. Watch out for horses on the sandy rides and golf balls near the fairways. Groups are limited to four dogs. The Windmill Tea Rooms beside the car park welcome dogs at the outdoor tables.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.8 km (3.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 25 min
- Walk Type
- Heathland, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Windmill Tea Rooms beside the car park (dogs at outdoor tables); Hand in Hand pub in Wimbledon Village welcomes dogs.
- Parking
- Windmill car park, Wimbledon and Putney Commons, free; locked in the evening. Wimbledon station is about 2km away.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Wimbledon Common Windmill and Queensmere Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wimbledon Common Windmill and Queensmere Circular dog friendly?
Yes, Wimbledon Common scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. It is one of the largest open spaces in London, with heath, woodland and a brook that dogs can paddle in, and the rangers welcome dog walkers. The caveats are the lead zones around the ponds and The Plain during the bird nesting season, and the horses and golfers that share the Common.
Can dogs be off lead at Wimbledon Common Windmill and Queensmere Circular?
Yes, for most of the walk, provided your dog stays in sight and under effective control. From 1 March to 31 August the Commons require dogs on a lead around all the ponds, including Queensmere, and on the mown paths across The Plain, which are protection zones for wildfowl and nesting skylarks. Keep dogs close on the horse rides and near the golf fairways at any time of year.
What should I know before visiting Wimbledon Common Windmill and Queensmere Circular with my dog?
The Windmill car park is free but it is locked in the evening, so check the closing time posted at the gate. Paths are sandy and firm on the heath but muddy in the woods in winter. The Commons limit groups to four dogs regardless of how many people are walking them, and you must pick up after your dog. The Windmill Tea Rooms sit beside the car park, with outdoor tables for dog owners.
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