Walking your dog at the Bath Skyline

A pair of boots with a dog on a lead sat by them in a field on the Bath Skyline, views of Bath in the distance — Your dog is welcome at Bath Skyline, Bristol and Bath | © National Trust/Dawn Biggs

Along the Bath Skyline you’ll discover spectacular views of the countryside and long walks for dogs and owners, no matter what the season. We’ve put together some useful information including where you can and can’t walk to help everyone enjoy their visit and stay safe. Wagging tails are welcome all year round.

Our pawprint rating system

We’ve been working on making it easier for you to find out how dog-friendly your visit will be before you and your four-legged friend arrive. To help with this, we've created a new pawprint rating system and given all the places in our care a rating. You can find this information in the National Trust members’ handbook.

Bath Skyline is a one pawprint rated place.

Dogs are welcome here, but facilities are limited. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog and any restrictions.

Keeping the space safe

In some areas of the Bath Skyline you're walking on farmland, meadows and pastures that are grazed for the conservation of wildflower grassland.

It’s in these areas that we ask you to help us keep the space safe for the sheep and cattle that live here, and to act in a way that keeps you and your dog safe. Keep an eye out for signs to let you know where and when grazing animals are present.

Walking your dog near livestock

Dogs can endanger sheep, not just through attacks but by sheep worrying and by just being close by. Sheep are particularly vulnerable when ewes are pregnant or nursing lambs.

Please keep your dog under close control and in sight when walking around Rainbow Wood Farm. Richens Orchard is closed to walkers when sheep are grazing in the area, with a diversion route to follow.

Cattle can endanger people and dogs, especially when provoked or scared.

Guidance for walking near livestock

Please keep your dog under close control when walking in grazed fields.
If cows start to follow you, let go of the dog’s lead as they can get away and diffuse the situation.
The grazed areas are large and in most instances the cattle will not be bothered as you walk nearby.
If cattle are across the path, you are welcome to walk around them, and always avoid coming between a mother and her calf.

Play areas

We also ask that you keep your dog on a lead through Larch Wood and the Woodland Play Area. This ensures that the play area and surrounding woodland remains free from dog waste and safe for children to play and explore.

Dog with its owner — Dog walking at Bath Skyline, Bristol and Bath | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

The Canine Code

We’ve worked with our partner Forthglade to come up with this Canine Code, which helps to make sure everyone can enjoy their day:

Keep them close: using a short lead helps to keep your dog from disturbing ground-nesting birds and farm animals. It's essential to use a short lead around sheep. But if cattle approach you, it's best to let your dog off the lead, and call them back when it's safe to do so.
Pick up the poo: please always clear up after your dog. If you can't find a bin nearby, take the poo bags home with you.
Watch the signs: keep an eye on local signs and notices wherever you're walking. They'll tell you if a beach has a dog ban, for instance, or if a path has been diverted, or if you're in an area where dogs can run off-lead.
Stay on the ball: remember that not everyone loves dogs, and some people fear them. So make sure your dog doesn't run up to other people, especially children.

Keeping control of your dog

Our definition of close or effective control is:

Being able to recall your dogs in any situation at the first call
Being able to clearly see your dog at all times (not just knowing they have gone into the undergrowth or over the crest of the hill). In practice, this means keeping them on a footpath if the surrounding vegetation is too dense for your dog to be visible
Not allowing them to approach other visitors without their consent
Having a lead with you to use if you encounter livestock or wildlife, or if you are asked to use one

Facilities for your dog

There are several bins and dog waste bins near to the Bath Skyline walk. Dog waste bags can also be put into a regular waste bin. Parasites found in dog poo can cause abortions in cattle and death in sheep. Dog poo and dog waste bags left in fields can pose a danger to the animals living there. Taking your dog waste bags to the nearest bin means that volunteers can spend less time litter picking and more time caring for the Skyline.

Thank you

Thank you to the dog walkers who help us keep a safe home for all the grazing animals, keeping the countryside clean and healthy for all Bath Skyline visitors.