Worcestershire’s mix of rivers, canals, and parks offers a range of beautiful, dog-friendly swimming spots perfect for a day of adventure. Known for its historic towns and scenic countryside, Worcestershire has plenty of places where dogs can safely enjoy the water. Here are the top five swimming spots in Worcestershire for you and your dog to explore. List of dog swimming spots around UK can be found here.
1. The River Severn at Worcester
The River Severn, running through the heart of Worcester, offers lovely swimming spots for dogs along its banks. The riverfront near Diglis Bridge is a popular area where you can find calm sections of water for dogs to paddle. With the iconic Worcester Cathedral as a backdrop, this location is not only convenient but also scenic.
The riverside path near Diglis Bridge, with Worcester Cathedral as a backdrop, makes a lovely walk with your dog — but this is a working, navigable stretch of the Severn with weir machinery, boat traffic and currents that aren’t obvious from the bank. It’s not somewhere we’d recommend letting a dog swim; stick to the towpath and let him watch the boats go by instead.
What’s nearby: Ample parking, cafes, and toilets are available in Worcester city centre.
Find it: River Severn – Worcester
2. Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s Upton Warren Nature Reserve
Upton Warren Nature Reserve, managed by the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, is a beautiful area near Bromsgrove with several pools and a lake where dogs can paddle in designated spots. Originally used as a salt extraction site, Upton Warren is now a peaceful haven for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts.
Upton Warren is a beautiful wetland reserve near Bromsgrove, but it’s a no-dogs site — Worcestershire Wildlife Trust doesn’t permit dogs anywhere on the reserve, so this one’s off the list entirely for a dog day out.
Good to know: Parking is available, and there are picnic areas nearby. The visitor centre provides information on the reserve’s wildlife.
Get directions: Upton Warren Nature Reserve
3. Croome Park
Croome Park, a National Trust property, is known for its beautiful landscape gardens, designed by Capability Brown in the 18th century. The park features the River Severn, small ponds, and a lake, where dogs are allowed to cool off in certain areas. Croome Park offers a unique blend of history and nature, with scenic pathways and views of the surrounding Malvern Hills.
Croome’s landscape gardens, laid out by Capability Brown, are a gorgeous place to walk your dog — but the National Trust asks that dogs don’t swim in the lake or river here, both for their health and to protect wildlife. Dogs need to stay on a short lead around the estate anyway because of grazing sheep, so treat this one as a walk, not a swim.
What’s nearby: Croome Park has on-site parking, toilets, a café, and picnic spots.
Find it: Croome Park
4. The River Teme at Tenbury Wells
The Teme runs quietly through Tenbury Wells and it’s a nice stretch to walk alongside — just bear in mind river conditions change fast here (this stretch has an active Environment Agency flood-alert area), so check levels before letting your dog anywhere near the water, and treat any “safe shallow spot” claim with caution unless you can see the riverbed and current for yourself on the day.
Good to know: Parking is available nearby, and Tenbury Wells has cafes, shops, and pubs that welcome dogs in outdoor seating areas.
Get directions: River Teme – Tenbury Wells
5. Arrow Valley Country Park
Arrow Valley Country Park’s 900 acres make a great walk, with plenty of shade and open grass for a run-around — but we couldn’t confirm any official designated dog-swimming area on the lake, and the operator has previously had to warn owners to keep dogs out of the water during algae blooms. Enjoy the paths and picnic spots, and check current signage before considering the water at all.
What’s nearby: Arrow Valley Country Park offers parking, a café, toilets, and picnic areas.
Find it: Arrow Valley Country Park
Essentials for a Dog-Friendly Day in Worcestershire
To make the most of your outing, don’t forget these essentials:
- A long line: on Worcestershire’s open riverbanks or unfenced parkland, a 5–10 metre long line lets a water-loving dog range and swim freely without you losing control before his recall is watertight. Most of our training bits come from Calmshops.
- Fresh Water and Bowl: Swimming can make dogs thirsty, so bringing fresh water is a must.
- Towel: Drying off your dog after a swim helps keep them comfortable and your car clean.
- Car Dog Seat Cover: keeps the car clean and dry on the way home, which matters more than you would think after a proper swim in the Severn.
A few more dog swimming spots in Worcestershire:
The Fold
Bransford, England
The Fold at Bransford has a lovely nature trail along the River Teme, and the shallow beach area is a nice spot to let your dog paddle in calm conditions — but the current here can turn strong quickly, so check the flow before letting him in properly, and never assume yesterday’s calm water means today’s is the same. Moving water is also where you find out how good your dog’s recall really is — getting a reliable come-back matters far more on a river like this than it does on a still lake.
Gullet Quarry
Malvern Hills, England
Gullet Quarry looks tempting — clear water below the Malvern Hills — but swimming here is banned by Malvern Hills Trust, following tragic drownings linked to cold-water shock and an unstable quarry face prone to rockfalls. Staff and police patrol the site and fines apply for entering the water. Walk the hills above it with your dog, but keep him well away from the water’s edge.
Trimpley Reservoir
Bewdley, England
Trimpley is a working Severn Trent reservoir, and dogs need to stay on a lead here at all times. Severn Trent’s own safety advice is that nobody — dogs included — should be in the water at any of their reservoirs: it’s far colder than it looks, and there’s submerged machinery you can’t see from the bank. It’s a genuinely nice walk with the Severn Valley Railway running alongside, just not a swim spot.
Severn Way at Kempsey
Kempsey, England
The Severn Way footpath at Kempsey runs through quiet farmland and makes a genuinely peaceful walk — we just couldn’t verify any official “safe swim access points” along this stretch, and the Severn here is open, navigable water, so treat any dip as wild swimming at your own risk rather than a designated spot.
Last Bark
From scenic riverbanks along the Severn to peaceful lakes in country parks, Worcestershire offers beautiful dog-friendly swimming spots. Each location provides a unique experience, whether you’re exploring historic estates at Croome or the natural beauty of Arrow Valley. Pack up and head out to enjoy Worcestershire’s best swimming spots with your canine companion, making memories along the way. Worth having a Worcestershire vet chosen before you need one, and if the recall is not yet solid enough for open water, a Worcestershire dog trainer is the place to sort it. And for the coat afterwards, our UK dog groomers database covers Worcestershire too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed to swim anywhere along the River Severn in Worcester?
No — the River Severn near Diglis Bridge is a working, navigable waterway with weir machinery, boat traffic and currents that aren’t obvious from the bank, so we wouldn’t recommend letting your dog swim there. It’s a lovely spot for a walk along the riverside path with Worcester Cathedral as a backdrop, but keep him on the towpath rather than in the water.
What facilities are available near Upton Warren Nature Reserve for dog owners?
Upton Warren is a no-dogs site — Worcestershire Wildlife Trust doesn’t permit dogs anywhere on the reserve, including near the lake, so there are no dog-friendly swimming spots here. It’s best left off your list for a dog day out; the visitor centre and picnic areas are lovely, but not somewhere to bring your dog.
Do I need to keep my dog on a lead at Croome Park when near water?
Yes — dogs need to be kept on a short lead throughout Croome Park because of grazing sheep, and the National Trust asks that dogs don’t swim in the lake or river here at all, both for their own health and to protect wildlife. Treat Croome as a walk, not a swimming spot.
Is it safe for all dogs to swim in these Worcestershire spots?
While the featured locations offer gentle currents and calm waters, it’s important to consider your dog’s swimming ability and health. Always supervise your dog closely near water and avoid swimming in fast-flowing or deep areas to keep your pet safe.
Can I combine swimming with other activities for my dog in these areas?
Yes, many of these swimming spots are part of larger parks or nature reserves, providing walking trails, picnic areas, and scenic views. Combining a swim with a walk or exploration allows your dog to get varied exercise and enjoy a full day outdoors.
