5 Great Walks in Somerset – You and Your Dog will Love! (2024)

While the Mendips and the Quantocks are well known, we’ve found some quieter and more unusual routes. Here’s our guide to our 5 favourite dog friendly walks in Somerset.

One of the joys of housesitting is exploring new areas of the UK. We’ve been lucky enough to spend far more time in Somerset this year with some gorgeous dogs to keep Belka company. However, finding dog friendly walks in Somerset can be challenge; there’s a lot of livestock and private land to negotiate. Luckily, there are some fantastic dog-friendly routes that offer plenty of variety, stunning views and quirky local history.

On all routes, please use caution and follow local guidance re livestock, wild fires, cliff edges and erosion.

For these walks you will not need to follow an ordnance survey map as the routes are clearly marked locally with sign posts and markers.

1. Harridge Woods & Waterfall

Walk start/finish: No official parking on site. Park by the entrance at Holcombe.

Distance: Any length of walk can be enjoyed here as the variety of paths meander through 55 hectares of woodland.

Route link: Harridge Wood | Somerset Wildlife Trust

Harridge Woods is the kind of magical environment you hope to explore with your dog. On a sunny day, there is plenty of shade from the trees and refreshing water alongside for dogs to dip their paws. A highlight of the area is the old Keeper’s Cottage; a ruin now conserved as a bat roost. Perched atop an impressive waterfall, the cottage is an idyllic spot for wildlife watching. Within the woods, well behaved dogs can have some freedom but if you follow the footpaths into any of the neighbouring farmland, they must be kept on lead.

2. Langport River Walk

Walk start/finish: Car Park in town centre (or the Bakery on the Bridge if you buy refreshments there)

Distance: A straight ‘there and back’ of any choice of length. The full trail is a 50mile, multi-day trip!

Route link: River Parrett Trail (visitsouthsomerset.com)

Langport is a stunning village and a great place for a dog friendly coffee stop. Our favourite is the Bakery at the Bridge. Here you can enjoy a freshly baked treat with a coffee at the beginning or end of your walk. Leaving the cafe, you cross over a modern footbridge and can immediately let dogs off lead to enjoy the flat paths and grassy river banks. It can be busy here on a sunny day with plenty of people kayaking and paddleboarding along the river. Further along, there are lovely spots for dogs to jump in for a swim. If you follow the path through Langport and out onto the Levels, you may encounter livestock so be ready to recall your dogs and pop them back on lead. There isn’t really any shade on this route, so be careful taking this route on really sunny days and make sure you have plenty of water available for you and your dog.

3. Combe Hill Woods and Admiral Hood Monument

Walk start/finish: A spacious car park for Combe Hill Wood on Reynolds Way.

Distance: Any desired distance, several paths available in 62 acres of woodland.

Route link: Combe Hill Wood

Combe Hill Wood is a fabulous choice for a dog friendly walk in Somerset for a variety of reasons. It is one of the only woodland walks we’ve found that actively encourages owners to let their dogs off lead to explore! In addition, from various paths there are fantastic views across Somerset. If you’re looking for a more energetic walk there are paths that include steep inclines to get the blood pumping. Dogs love running up and down the embankments here. Plus, one footpath option leads to the impressive Admiral Hood monument. This monument has an intriguing appearance, as it emerges from the trees, covered in ivy. From the parapet, you can clearly see Glastonbury Tor in the distance. To reach the monument, you follow a clearly marked route via fields which may contain livestock so dogs must be on lead for this part.

4. Ebbor Gorge

Walk start/finish: There is a dedicated car park in Ebbor Gorge. Alternatively for the 2 mile circular route, begin/end at St Mary Magdalene Church, Wookey Hole High Street, BA5 1BR.

Distance: 2 miles circular route from Wookey Hole (shorter walks available from the Ebbor Gorge car park.

Route Link: Ebbor Gorge circular walk: Mendip Hills, Somerset (discoveringbritain.org)

Although we really loved the more famous Cheddar Gorge, Ebbor Gorge was breath-taking for its views and wildness. With an option of at least 3 routes for differing levels of mobility, Ebbor Gorge is a great choice for a family and dog friendly excursion. The shady woods were filled with bluebells when we visited. The dogs loved jumping across meandering streams and sniffing the wicker sculptures. A challenging but fun scramble up the gorge makes for a memorable experience. Once at the top, pop your dogs back on lead to enjoy the view over the sharp cliff edges. From here, you can admire circling birds of prey, the lush green canopy of the woods and the interesting rock formations of the gorge.

5. Ham Hill

Walk start/finish: There are 6 car parks on Ham Hill Road to choose from.

Distance: Any length of walk available via meandering trails in the 158 hectare nature park.

Route Link: Ham Hill Country Park, South Somerset (visitsouthsomerset.com)

Ham Hill is a very accessible choice for a dog walk in Somerset and it is well equipped with car parks, a pub, accessible routes and dog bins. What makes Ham Hill a good option is the variety of sights including a monument, view point, character cut outs and even a stone circle. Although it may not be the most energetic walk for humans, dogs will love exploring and are safe to do so off lead for the most part (do check guidance on site for seasonal advice re livestock and ground nesting birds).