Dog-Friendly Herefordshire (2026)

The Wye through Hereford, the Malvern Hills, Mortimer Forest and Hergest Ridge - the best dog-friendly walks in Herefordshire.

The Malvern Hills rising over the Herefordshire countryside, a dog-friendly ridge walk
Updated
By Rob Griffiths18 June 2026 · 9 min read

Herefordshire is one of England's great unsung counties for a dog: a green, thinly-populated borderland of cider orchards, slow rivers and quiet hills between the Malverns and the Welsh frontier. You can walk the River Wye through the cathedral city in the morning, climb the open Malvern ridge for a county-spanning view in the afternoon, and finish in a dog-friendly cider pub. It is farming country, so the lead comes out near livestock, but the welcome for dogs is genuine and the crowds are blessedly thin. Here is where to go.

Is Herefordshire dog-friendly?

Yes, and it is one of the most relaxed counties in England to explore with a dog. It is sparsely populated, criss-crossed with quiet footpaths and bridleways, and well supplied with dog-friendly country pubs, many serving the local cider. The county town of Hereford has easy riverside walking, the Malverns give a proper hill day, and there are forests, country parks and National Trust estates with waymarked trails for gentler outings.

The thing to plan around is livestock. This is cattle and sheep country, and many walks cross grazing fields, so keep your dog on a lead near stock and be especially careful around cattle with calves. Stick to the forests, parks and riverside paths if you want easier, lower-stress walking with a dog that is still learning its recall.

What are the best dog-friendly places in Herefordshire?

Herefordshire dog-friendly highlights

HEREFORD · CITY

Hereford & the River Wye Editor's pick

Cathedral-city riverside walking

  • Easy river walks
  • City base
  • Dog-friendly cafes
  • Type City & riverside
  • Dog access Welcome on riverside paths
  • Terrain Riverbank, parkland, town
  • Highlight The Wye through the city
Hereford makes an easy, dog-friendly base in the centre of the county, and its best walking follows the River Wye straight through the city. The riverside paths from the old bridge run past the cathedral and out along the Greenway and into open meadows, giving a level, scenic walk you can pick up from the centre. The cathedral close and the city's parks are pleasant for a stroll, and there are plenty of dog-friendly cafes and pubs. It is a practical hub for reaching the Malverns, the Golden Valley and the Welsh border country.

EASTERN EDGE · RIDGE

The Malvern Hills

An open ridge with views across two counties

  • Ridge walking
  • Huge views
  • Open access
  • Type Grazed hill common
  • Dog access Welcome, lead near grazing sheep
  • Terrain Ridge paths, steep slopes
  • Highlight The walk to Worcestershire Beacon
The Malvern Hills rise abruptly along Herefordshire's eastern boundary, a narrow spine of ancient rock that gives some of the biggest, most accessible views in the West Midlands. A network of paths climbs from car parks on both flanks to the ridge, where you can walk for miles with Herefordshire spread out to the west and the Severn plain to the east. The hills are grazed common land, so keep your dog on a lead near the sheep. There are dog-friendly cafes in Great Malvern at the foot of the hills for afterwards.

CENTRAL · COUNTRY PARK

Queenswood Country Park & Bodenham Lake

An arboretum hilltop and a lakeside reserve

  • Easy woodland walks
  • Arboretum trails
  • Lakeside birdlife
  • Type Country park & lake
  • Dog access Welcome on trails, lead by the lake
  • Terrain Woodland paths, lakeside
  • Highlight Arboretum and lake views
Queenswood, on a hilltop between Hereford and Leominster, is the county's only country park and arboretum, with easy waymarked trails through a collection of trees from around the world and views over the surrounding countryside. Just below it, Bodenham Lake is a nature reserve with a lakeside path and bird hides. Together they make a gentle, accessible day out with a dog: firm paths, a cafe, and shade among the trees. Keep your dog on a lead near the lake to protect the waterbirds and the reserve's wildlife.

NORTH · FOREST

Mortimer Forest

Quiet forest trails on the Shropshire border

  • Forest trails
  • Shade on hot days
  • Hilltop views
  • Type Forestry England forest
  • Dog access Welcome on waymarked trails
  • Terrain Forest track, hill path
  • Highlight Views from High Vinnalls
Mortimer Forest spreads across the hills on the Herefordshire and Shropshire border just south-west of Ludlow, and it is the pick of the north of the county for a forest walk. Forestry England waymarked trails climb through conifer and broadleaf woodland to the open viewpoint of High Vinnalls, with long views over the borderland. The tracks are firm and well-signed, there is a car park, and the woodland gives welcome shade in summer. Dogs are welcome on the trails; keep them close where the forest meets grazed land at the edges.

WEST · RIDGE

Hergest Ridge & Kington

A breezy open ridge on the Welsh border

  • Open ridge walking
  • Wild ponies
  • Border views
  • Type Open common & ridge
  • Dog access On-lead near ponies & sheep
  • Terrain Broad ridge track, common
  • Highlight The whaleback ridge walk
Hergest Ridge rises west of the little town of Kington right on the Welsh border, a broad grassy whaleback crossed by an easy track that forms part of the Offa's Dyke Path. It is open common grazed by sheep and semi-wild ponies, with huge skies and views into both England and Wales, and the gentle gradient makes it a surprisingly easy hill walk. Keep your dog on a lead near the ponies and sheep. Kington itself is a friendly walkers' town with dog-welcoming pubs and cafes at the foot of the ridge.

BROMYARD · NT ESTATE

Brockhampton Estate

A National Trust estate of ancient woodland

  • Woodland walks
  • Medieval manor
  • Way-marked trails
  • Type National Trust estate
  • Dog access On-lead on estate trails
  • Terrain Parkland, ancient woodland
  • Highlight Lower Brockhampton manor
Brockhampton, a National Trust estate near Bromyard, wraps a moated medieval manor house in parkland, orchards and ancient woodland, with several waymarked walking trails. Dogs on a lead are welcome on the estate's wider trails through the woods and parkland, which are at their best in spring bluebell season and autumn colour. It is an easy, pretty walk with a dog, with a cafe and the timber-framed manor to see. Check the current dog policy for the formal gardens and any areas with grazing livestock when you arrive.

Can you walk dogs on the Malvern Hills?

Yes. The Malvern Hills are open-access common land and one of the best dog walks in the region, with paths climbing to a long ridge from car parks on both the Herefordshire and Worcestershire sides. Dogs are welcome, but the hills are grazed by sheep, so keep your dog on a lead near livestock and clean up after them to protect the grazing. The tops are exposed, so carry water for the dog on a warm day, as there is little shade and few reliable streams on the ridge.

Tips for visiting Herefordshire with a dog

Lead up around livestock

Most of Herefordshire is working farmland, and many footpaths cross grazing fields. Keep your dog on a lead near sheep and cattle, and give cows with calves a wide berth.

Use the parks and forests for easier walks

Queenswood Country Park and Mortimer Forest have firm, waymarked trails that are more relaxed than open farmland, with shade and parking.

Base yourself in Hereford or a border town

Hereford gives a central base with riverside walks; Kington and Great Malvern put you at the foot of the best ridges, all with dog-friendly places to eat.

Try the river walks in poor weather

The Wye paths through Hereford are low, level and sheltered, a good option when the Malverns or Hergest Ridge are wild and exposed.

Sample the cider pubs

Herefordshire is cider country and many of its country pubs are dog-friendly. They make a perfect, sheltered end to a walk with a dog.

Frequently asked questions

Q01Are dogs allowed on the Malvern Hills?
Yes. The Malvern Hills are open-access common land where dogs are welcome, with paths up to the ridge from car parks on both the Herefordshire and Worcestershire sides. Keep your dog on a lead near the grazing sheep, carry water for the exposed tops, and clean up after them to protect the common.
Q02Where are the best easy dog walks in Herefordshire?
For gentle walks, head to the River Wye paths through Hereford, the waymarked trails at Queenswood Country Park, the lakeside path at Bodenham Lake, or the forest tracks in Mortimer Forest. These are lower, firmer and more sheltered than the open ridges and farmland.
Q03Is Herefordshire good for an off-lead dog?
In the right places. The forests and country parks like Mortimer Forest and Queenswood are the most relaxed spots for a well-behaved off-lead dog. On open farmland and the grazed hills and ridges, keep your dog on a lead near sheep, cattle and the semi-wild ponies on Hergest Ridge.
Q04Where should I base myself in Herefordshire with a dog?
Hereford is the best central base, with riverside walks and dog-friendly cafes, and easy access to the Malverns, the forests and the Welsh border. For the hills, Kington sits below Hergest Ridge and Great Malvern below the Malvern Hills, both with dog-welcoming places to stay and eat.

Related guides

Dog-Friendly Wye Valley

Dog-Friendly Wye Valley

South along the river: the wooded Wye gorge, Symonds Yat and Tintern with your dog.
Dog-Friendly Shropshire Hills

Dog-Friendly Shropshire Hills

North over the border: the Long Mynd, Stiperstones and dog-friendly Ludlow.
Dog-Friendly Brecon Beacons

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West into Wales: the big hills, waterfalls and reservoirs of the Bannau Brycheiniog.
Dog-Friendly Forest of Dean

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South-east: ancient forest, sculpture trails and the Wye on the Gloucestershire border.