Dog Walks in Oxford | 10 Pawfect Oxfordshire Dog Walks
Looking for local dog walks in Oxford? Then you have landed on the right page! This article discusses the top 10 pawesome dog walks in Oxfordshire that you and your pup will love!
Whether you’re after nature reserves, country parks or manor houses, we have compiled all the very best dog-friendly walks in Oxfordshire.
Milton Hill House is a dog friendly hotel in Oxford, so we know all the ins and outs of the local area. We know all the very best dog walking routes in Oxford and the surrounding areas. We can give you guidance on dog walks in Oxford ranging from easy to challenging.
So, what are the best dog walks in Oxford? We go into more detail below, but the best dog walks in Oxfordshire are: Blenheim Palace, Seacourt Nature Reserve, Waddesdon Manor, University Parks, Shotover Country Park, Cotswold Wildlife Park, Wittenham Clumps, White Horse Hill, Port Meadow and Hurst Hill.
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10 Best Dog Walks in Oxford
We have established that you are looking for the best dog walks in Oxford, so let’s get started with our favourite dog walking routes around the local area that welcome your four-legged friends.
1) Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace provides some stunning scenery and is perfect if you are looking for easy dog walks in Oxford. The country house is based in Woodstock and there is plenty to do during your visit.
Blenheim Palace is the only palace that is non-royal and non-episcopal so is quite the anomaly. Here you’ll find over 2,000 acres of parkland to walk your waggy tailed friend with many different routes to opt for.
Walks at Blenheim Palace can range from a 0.75-mile circular route around scenic lakes to a 4.6-mile walk round the park’s perimeter with steep slopes. The Queen Pool is our recommended dog-walking route – a circular walk around the lake lasting 45 minutes.
You should be aware that although Blenheim Palace is dog friendly, your pup will only be allowed in certain areas of the estate and are asked to be kept on a lead at all times.
Directions to Blenheim Palace
2) Seacourt Nature Park
Seacourt Nature Park is a wonderful reserve ideally located near the city centre of Oxford. Nestled between retail and business parks, Seacourt Nature Reserve is the gateway to a hidden expanse of open fields leading to Willow Walk.
This is an ideal dog walk in Oxford and can be used as a scenic walk into the city centre. Alongside wonderful scenery, you’ll also find a range of wildflowers that will take your breath away. If you’re lucky, you’ll find ox-eye daisies, meadow buttercup, yellow rattle, lesser celandine, red clover and welted thistle.
Being only a short distance from Milton Hill House, this provides for a fantastic dog walking route for all levels.
Directions to Seacourt Nature Park
3) Waddesdon Manor
Waddesdon Manor was built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild between 1874 and 1885 to display his collection of arts and to entertain the fashionable world. Opened to the public in 1959, Waddesdon Manor is managed by the Rothschild Foundation, a family charitable trust, on behalf of the National Trust, who took over ownership in 1957. It’s home to the Rothschild Collections of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts.
What’s more, is that Waddesdon Manor provides a range of dog walks in Oxford for you to venture on.
Opt for the Wellie walk, lasting 30 minutes, the Winter garden walk lasting 25 minutes or Baron’s walk, lasting 30 minutes. If you’d like a slightly longer walk, the Windmill Hill walk lasts 1 hour and has some uphill sections.
During your walk, you might be lucky enough to view some Skylarks. These are ground-nesting birds with a breeding season from April to August. If you are walking in the woods during these months, you’ll be asked to keep your dog on a lead.
There are also lots of dining options for you if you’d enjoy a pit stop during your dog walk. The Stables Courtyard is near the Woodland Playground and is an informal food and drink kiosk with outdoor seating. This is perfect for dog walkers and families with young children. The Manor Restaurant terrace allows you to order food to go and sit under the terrace. The Five Arrows allows you to dine indoors with your dog and always provide tasty treats for your pup!
Waddesdon Manor is one of our favourite dog walks in Oxfordshire because of the range of walking and dining options available!
Directions to Waddesdon Manor
4) University Parks
University Parks is a stunning trip on a sunny day. Enjoy 70 acres of beautiful parkland right in the centre of the city. Enjoy a walk, a picnic, and plenty of space for sports games so it is the perfect day out for a family.
Well behaved dogs are more than welcomed into the grounds and is an ideal dog walk in Oxford if you’d like to learn some history alongside. University Parks provide some excellent dog walking routes.
The North Walk is a beautiful route where there are still a number of surviving trees which were planted in the late 1880s to provide winter interest and shelter. Both Sessile Oak and English Oak grow along the North Walk and you will also find shrubs, herbaceous, bulbs and ground cover plants.
The once-endangered species, Dawn Redwood Tree also flourishes along this dog walk.
The Riverside Walk is a picturesque walk along the River Cherwell, whilst the Oak Walk is surrounded by, well, Oaks. Other walks include the Thorn Walk where you will see a collection of over 30 species and varieties of hawthorn and the West Walk, which boasts several hollies.
Directions to University Parks
5) Shotover Country Park
Shotover Country Park offers everyone a chance to enjoy a place of beauty and history right on the edge of Oxford. Covering 117 hectares on the southern slopes of Shotover Hill there are spectacular views from the top across south Oxfordshire.
Most of the Country Park is a designated Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is open for everyone to enjoy throughout the year free of charge! There are a number of dog trails to enjoy that range from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
If you love being in the countryside, then this is the perfect dog walk in Oxford. Discover ancient woods, flowery meadows, marshes, heaths, ponds and bracken covered slopes. In the spring and summer, Shotover’s woods are carpeted with wildflowers. Celandines and Wood Anemones are first and then a wonderful array of Bluebells.
Alongside wildflowers, you can also hear the natural symphony of birdsong provided by summer visitors!
Directions to Shotover Country Park
6) Cotswold Wildlife Park
Cotswold Wildlife Park is thrilling from the get-go. Come eye to eye with a giraffe or see the beauty of an Asiatic lion. This is more of a family day out and dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. There are some areas where dogs will not be allowed.
Cotswold Wildlife Park is a great day to take the kids for a fun-filled exciting day out. There is plenty to do and only a short drive from Milton Hill House.
When the park opened in 1970, the goal was always to share the joys of nature and wildlife with as many people as possible, as well as making the house and park home to a variety of endangered animals. Today, Cotswold Wildlife Park is one of the UK’s largest zoological gardens, which millions of visitors have found and loved over the years.
Directions to Cotswold Wildlife Park
7) Wittenham Clumps
Next on our list of dog walks in Oxford is Wittenham Clumps! Providing stunning views over the surrounding countryside, these free to access green spaces are extremely popular amongst dog walkers.
On your walks, you’ll come across grazing cattle, red kites, wildflowers, and wonderful scenic views.
You can download the AllTrails App to find the best walking routes.
The Clumps are made up of Round Hill (to the left when facing the hills from the car park) and Castle Hill (to the right). Enjoy a figure of eight walks around the hilltops or head between them and down into Little Wittenham Wood.
Directions to Wittenham Clumps
8) White Horse Hill
White Horse Hill is home to the internationally-renowned White Horse, which was created from ancient remains, and has been located here for centuries. It can be seen from miles and miles away, so this Bronze-Age pony is rather difficult to miss.
However, the gigantic horse isn’t the only thing to spot on top of White Horse Hill! Keep an eye out for even more unique and interesting remains all around the area!
Dogs are welcomed at White Horse Hill but are asked to be kept on leads where cattle may be nearby.
Directions to White Horse Hill
9) Port Meadow
Port Meadow is one of the largest open spaces in the north of the city. With the River Thames flowing through the heart of the meadow the flood plains are home to many species of cattle, horses and wildfowl.
Port Meadow and Wolvercote Common are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) a Scheduled Ancient Monument and together with the nearby Yarnton and Pixey Mead a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the European Habitats Directive.
There are plenty of places to walk your dog but you should be mindful that Port Meadow has lots of wild Ponies. The beautiful ponies are a wonderful sight to see but should not be disturbed.
You’ll also get a chance to see Oxford’s oldest monument! A landscape that has changed little since prehistoric times.
Directions to Port Meadow
10) Hurst Hill
The Cumnor Hurst Community Woodland is a perfect place to walk on a clear day. You can see for miles across the Oxfordshire countryside and the woodland makes it feel like you are far out of the city.
This is a fantastic Oxfordshire dog walk and is recommended by lots of dog walkers in the local area.
You can find out more by reading this awesome Hurst Hill dog walking review!
Directions to Hurst Hill
Dog Walks in Oxford, the last word!
We hope you have enjoyed this article on dog walks in Oxford! We have given you 10 fantastic attractions to visit, all within close proximity to our hotel. If you are looking for a great staycation, with lots of local dog-walking routes, then Milton Hill House is a dog-friendly hotel that is ideal.
As a quick recap, the top ten best dog walks in Oxford are:
- Blenheim Palace
- Seacourt Nature Park
- Waddesdon Manor
- University Parks
- Shotover Country Park
- Cotswold Wildlife Park
- Wittenham Clumps
- White Horse Hill
- Port Meadow
- Hurst Hill
If you would like any more information on our hotel in Oxfordshire or these fantastic dog walking spots, then contact our friendly team today to discuss your requirements!
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