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Shaftesbury · 2 checked

Dog-friendly walks in Shaftesbury

Boots on. These are the Shaftesbury walks worth the drive, with lead rules and livestock warnings marked.

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DOGS WELCOME

Duncliffe Wood

Shaftesbury
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2.8MILES
1:30TIME
130mCLIMB
100%OFF-ROAD
Off-lead allowed

A 2.8-mile hour-and-a-half loop over the double summit of the wooded hill that rises out of Blackmore Vale, 230 acres of ancient small-leaved lime coppice with bluebells in May and long views west from the clearings. The main east to west track is stoned but steep near the entrance gate, and the side paths are grass, wet and genuinely muddy in winter. Start from the free Woodland Trust car park off New Lane three miles west of Shaftesbury, room for about twenty-five cars, with a two-metre height barrier at the entrance that rules out high vans. Dogs are welcome in Woodland Trust woods and this one is unfenced from any road, which makes it good off-lead ground; roe deer are everywhere, so recall matters.

VERIFIED 29 JUL 2026 VIEW WALK ›
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SOME LIMITS

Gold Hill and Castle Hill, Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury
No reviews yet
2.4MILES
1:15TIME
130mCLIMB
45%OFF-ROAD
Water bowls

A 2.4-mile hour-and-a-quarter circuit of a hilltop town, down the cobbles of Gold Hill, round the base of the greensand escarpment through St James, and back up to the abbey terrace and Castle Hill for a fifty-mile view over Blackmore Vale. Steep in both directions with 130 metres of climb, cobbles and steps that punish paws and knees alike. Start at the Bell Street or Coppice Street pay and display, both a couple of minutes from Park Walk; the town is on the bus route from Salisbury and Blandford. Leads for the cobbles and the terrace, where the drop is unfenced in places, and note that dogs must be on leads in public gardens under the Dorset order. There is a water bowl at several of the High Street cafés.

VERIFIED 29 JUL 2026 VIEW WALK ›

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Cottages you can book near Shaftesbury

Real dog-welcoming cottages from our booking partner holidaycottages.co.uk — live prices, booked on their site. Booking through these links supports Wagfinder and never changes the price you pay.

The Lodge At Paynes Place Farm Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £372 The Studio At Coking Farm Fishery Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £374 Sturminster Newtons Old Coach House Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £428 White Dove Cottage Wiltshire · dogs welcome 7 nights from £438 The Little House West Melbury Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £442 Bowden Farm The Milking Shed Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £544 The Grainstore Wiltshire · dogs welcome 7 nights from £689 Bears Den Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £1,225 Emblands Cottage Oaklands Farm Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £478 Well Cottage Beaminster Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £491
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