5 Top Dog-Friendly Walks Around Bath

The delightful city of Bath is a wonderful dog-friendly destination in England. In particular, there are some great walks that you can do with your dog, whether you want to explore Bath’s historic streets and gardens or the surrounding countryside. Head out on one of my favourite dog-friendly walks in Bath…

#1 Historic Bath Walk

Distance: 2.2 miles (3.5km) loop
Difficulty: Easy (Paved streets, but some inclines)
On-leash walk

If you’ve never visited Bath before, it’s a must to explore the many grand buildings that dot its city centre, often constructed from the golden-hued Bath stone. Highlights include the Royal Crescent, the Circus, Pulteney Bridge, Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths that gave the city its name.

There are many suggested walking routes that cover these main sights. One comprehensive walking route is this loop walk on AllTrails, that starts and ends at the large Charlotte Street Car Park adjacent to Royal Victoria Park.

Allow about two hours to complete the loop at a leisurely pace, admiring the buildings along the way. Dogs of course need to be kept leashed, and aren’t permitted in the abbey and museums along the route. Perhaps add on an off-leash walk in Royal Victoria Park before or after.

Read more about dog-friendly Bath and its parks

#2 Bath Canal and River Loop

Distance: 2 mile (3.2km) loop
Difficulty: Easy (Mainly flat with some steps)
Mainly on-leash, except through Sydney Gardens

To see another side of Bath, enjoy a walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal that cuts through the edge of the city, plus along the banks of the River Avon. You can easily create a loop walk, joined up along Great Pulteney Street. See this map provided by the Canal & River Trust.

We followed this route when I joined a guided dog walk led by The Architect in Bath, before returning to the gastropub for Sunday Roast. Check out their Whats On listings for upcoming walks, usually on the last Sunday of the month. It took us about an hour at a brisk pace.

We started at the Pulteney Bridge, walking up Great Pulteney Street to Sydney Gardens (where dogs are allowed off leash), then turned right onto the canal. Follow the canal down past the locks to the junction with the River Avon, then walk along the east bank of the Avon back to Pulteney Bridge.

#3 Bath Skyline Walk

Distance: 6 miles (9.6km) loop
Difficulty: Moderate (Uneven, unpaved route with hills and stiles, can be muddy)
Mainly off-leash, except around grazing animals and in Woodland Playground Area

For a longer walk, one of the most popular dog-friendly walks around Bath is the Skyline Walk, thanks to its wonderful views of the city and surrounding countryside. Along the way you’ll pass through Bathampton and Claverton Downs, plus through multiple woods.

For full details on the walk, include step-by-step instructions, see the National Trust website. There is also a longer 7.5 mile long version on AllTrails, including a route from the Bath Spa station to the official starting point at Cleveland Walk. The walk is designed on only be walked one way, in a clockwise direction. I recommend making the short detour to Sham Castle.

Unfortunately, when I attempted to complete this walk, I ended up abandoning the route part way through due to mud. After rain falling all through the previous night, there were some deep muddy puddles in the sections through the wood, that couldn’t always be avoided.

If it’s rained recently, it’s best to wear waterproof boots on this walk, plus be prepared for a muddy dog at the end. Another common complaint is insufficient signage, particularly in areas where there are multiple paths criss-crossing the downs – I recommend using AllTrails to check your route.

Allow up to four hours for the walk, without any diversions along the way. Note that while dogs are generally allowed off-leash, they should be kept under close control. Plus dogs need to be leashed around grazing animals and when passing through the Woodland Playground Area.

#4 Walk to the View

Distance: 3 miles (4.8km) loop
Difficulty: Easy-moderate (Mainly paved streets, but also an unpaved section and incline)
Mainly on-leash, off-leash at times

To enjoy just a taste of the views from the Bath Skyline Walk, combined with a stroll past elegant Georgian architecture, through Sydney Gardens and along the canal, a great short walk is the Walk to the View.

Starting in the centre of Bath at Bath Abbey, allow about 90 minutes for this walk up to Bathwick Fields and back. The National Trust has put together this guide, including a map and step-by-step directions, with tips for what to look out for on the way.

Part of this route is the same as the Canal and River Loop described above, but then you detour up to Bathwick Fields and cut back along North Parade, directly to Bath Abbey. For a longer version, keep on following the canals and River Avon, as on the Canal and River Loop walk.

#5 Bath to Bathampton Towpath

Distance: 1.5 miles (2.4km) one-way
Difficulty: Easy (Flat and paved)
Ideally on-leash

If the Bath Skyline Walk is too muddy after rain, an easy and relaxing walk with your dog is along the towpath to Bathampton. This flat, paved path is a popular spot for a stroll, plus with cyclists. It’s a 1.5 mile walk to Bathampton from Sydney Gardens, with no steps along the route.

While technically dogs are allowed off-leash along this route, it’s probably better to leave them on-leash, partially to ensure they don’t get in the way of cyclists and to ensure they don’t go for a swim in the canal.

Once you reach Bathampton, you have a number of options. Just off the canal is the dog-friendly George Inn, with a small beer garden. Alternatively, detour down Mill Lane to the Bathampton Mill gastropub where there’s a large beer garden overlooking the River Avon.

Another option is to go through a stroll with your pup through Bathampton Meadows, before returning along the towpath to Bath.

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