Dog-friendly walks in Suffolk

Does your dog love to stare at butterflies in the woods? Perhaps they love crossing a river or playing in a ford to cool off. Or maybe they like nothing more than settling down in a beer garden with a bowl of fresh water after a long hike.

Whatever their preference (and yours), we have a stroll to suit them in our guide to dog-friendly walks in Suffolk. We’ve put together a collection of circular (and one figure-of-eight) trails, so that you don’t have to retrace your steps. They take in wonderful sights such as an arboretum, cliff-top views and even a UFO site!

If you want to know more about what to do with your dog in this wonderful county, read our canine guide to Suffolk, or if you want to choose a property so you can start arranging your ambles, just tap the button below.

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• Polstead and the Stour Valley Circular
• Mildenhall Woods Circular
• Thorpeness and Sizewell
• The Butt and Oyster, Cliff Plantation, and Woolverstone Park Circular
• Lynford Arboretum and Lake Circular
• Woodbridge and Martlesham Creek
• Rendlesham Forest UFO Site Circular
• Arger Fen and Tiger Hill Circular
• Hadleigh to Kersey Pub Walk
• Hadleigh Railway Circular

Polstead and the Stour Valley Circular

Starting off with a moderately challenging walk to get your canine into the swing of things, this circular walk in the Dedham Vale National Landscape uncovers many of the underrated gems of East Anglia.

Saunter through fields and along woodland paths (watch out for the stinging nettles in the high season), before following the route of the River Box back to the village of Polstead where you began. There’ll be some stiles to cross with your pup (some have dog gates alongside) and there are some sections of paved road, but there’ll also be moments where Fido can go off-lead.

Mildenhall Woods Circular

An easy route next, one where you are likely to meet other hikers or even runners, so if you wanted to jog with your dog while on holiday, this could be the route for you.

This circular walk takes you on a beautiful winding forest trail, which is shaded for the most part, making it ideal for your furry friend. There are opportunities for taking the dog off the lead and the trail is easy to follow so you and Rex shouldn’t get lost – just be aware that muntjac deer and foxes are often spotted on this route so a good recall is essential.

Thorpeness and Sizewell

This moderate circular jaunt starts in Thorpeness which has one of the best dog-friendly beaches in the area if you want to feel the sand between your toes before heading out on a walk with your pup.

You start by heading inland, exploring the Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape as you go. The woodland provides opportunities to take Rex off the lead but be aware of animals in the grazing marsh areas. Stop at the midway point in Sizewell, grab a bite at the beach café, and make the most of another stretch of pet-friendly sand. Alternatively, there are a couple of pubs, one with a large beer garden. Head back along the Suffolk Coast Path to your starting point in Thorpeness.

The Butt and Oyster, Cliff Plantation, and Woolverstone Park Circular

This moderate Suffolk dog-friendly walk follows a figure-of-eight path with the start and end points at the crossover. This means that, should you wish, you can forego the second loop into either Cliff Plantation or Woolverstone Park (the latter often includes sheep). We don’t recommend it, however.

Starting at the dog-friendly inn, The Butt and Oyster, in the hamlet of Pin Mill, you’ll enjoy fantastic views of the River Orwell on a lot of this walk. Venture into dense woodland with your four-legged best friend by your side, before taking in cliff-top views, parkland and harbours. There is one steep climb to Cliff Plantation and a few gates and stiles (with dog gates) to navigate.

Lynford Arboretum and Lake Circular

Perfect for water-loving hounds, this 4.9-mile circular walk is also great for family days out as it can be shortened or lengthened depending on your needs. Additionally, there are no steep hills, making it ideal for smaller legs – both human and canine.

As you leave the car park, you’ll head into Lynford Arboretum where you’ll undoubtedly spot plenty of colourful birds and wildflowers. There’s a delightful coffee hut selling drinks and snacks – spot-on for refuelling either before or after the walk. You have a choice of footpaths, some of which cross the river, giving any hot dogs the chance to cool off. Explore the surrounding woodland and venture towards Lynford Water before making your way back to your starting point.

Woodbridge and Martlesham Creek

This beautiful circular stroll starts off in Woodbridge, a town with a working tide mill and a place where Sir Francis Drake is said to have built some ships.

As you walk along the estuary of the River Deben, keep an eye out for swifts and wading birds. Check the tide before you leave as parts of the foreshore can get flooded during spring tides. At other times, appropriate footwear should suffice and you can get through with wellies on. Parts of the walk are shaded, making it ideal for panting dogs and there are some sections on the road so leads will need to go on. There are some steps to negotiate but no stiles. End your walk back in Woodbridge where you can have a mooch around the shops and grab a bite to eat.

Rendlesham Forest UFO Site Circular

The shortest walk on our list might also be the most intriguing. If you’re a conspiracy theory buff, you’ll be in your element as you explore the site where Air Force personnel claimed to see unidentified flying objects in December 1980.

Don’t worry, there’s plenty to keep your pooch entertained outside of RAF Woodbridge, with gentle forest paths to follow that won’t give anyone in your pack any trouble. Take advantage of the trailer café before or after your walk and if you have the kids in tow, allow some time to frolic in the play area and on the climbing frame. The children will also love the UFO sculpture (although this isn’t for climbing on) and the many butterflies that flutter by during the summer months.

Arger Fen and Tiger Hill Circular

A walk for dogs who are happy to be kept under close control, this moderate circular takes you through sections where there will be cattle present. You’ll also have to traverse several kissing gates and stiles.

If you and your pup are ok with that, you’ll both be in for a treat as there is a varied landscape on this walk, some of which is unusual for this part of England, including a little valley with a stream running through it. A lot of this ramble takes you through nature reserves and there’s a wildflower meadow which will be vibrant with colourful hues if you time your walk right. Look out for a collection of buildings along the way including the isolated Assington Mill which has a revolving water wheel.

Hadleigh to Kersey Pub Walk

We have already featured a couple of walks that could involve a refreshing pre-walk pint or a satisfying post-walk quencher, but there’s nothing quite like a dedicated pub walk where you know there’s a friendly face waiting to pour you (and your pup) a drink along the way.

Start in the town of Hadleigh, a place nestled in stunning countryside that inspired the likes of Constable and Gainsborough. The pub here is the George where dogs are welcomed with open paws and there may even be a dog treat or two on offer. Make use of the pleasant beer garden on sunny days, but don’t fill up too much; you’ve got a walk ahead of you. The second settlement is Kersey, a village often spoken about as the prettiest in Suffolk. Cross ‘The Splash’ with your pooch, a ford of a tributary of the River Brett, and head to the Bell Inn. This 13^th-century pub is dog-friendly and does a fantastic roast – just remember, you have to walk back to the car, so easy on the roasties.

Hadleigh Railway Circular

Saving the longest ‘til last, this 8.2-mile excursion is great for dogs who have a lot of energy. Some sections are on the road and, on some of the farmland, there may be livestock but other than that, you can let Rover roam free.

Starting again in Hadleigh (quick pint in The George), you’ll head out along the disused railway line and through Raydon Great Wood. It can get muddy in autumn/winter and overgrown in spring/summer so make sure you wear appropriate footwear and clothing. The trail is flat almost all the way and crosses lots of pleasant farmland with great views of the local nature reserve.

Self-catering, dog-friendly cottages in Suffolk

After all this walking, your four-legged best friend is going to need some canine comfort in the form of a dog-friendly cottage. Don’t fret, our cottages are outfitted to keep our human guests happy too, whether it’s apartments in the market town of Beccles or coastal abodes in Aldeburgh or Southwold.

Browse all our Suffolk dog-friendly holiday homes by clicking the button below.