Cambridgeshire’s fens and gentle chalk hills offer a different kind of walking to most English counties — flat, open skies in the north, and a surprising bit of height just south of Cambridge. We’ve already covered the county’s best swimming spots in our separate guide, so this one is about dry-land walks with their own stated dog rules, checked rather than assumed.
Verified walks
Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Wicken
At Lode Lane, Wicken, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5XP (Google Maps, National Trust dog-visiting page), one of England’s oldest nature reserves is home to Konik ponies and Highland cattle grazing Adventurers’ and Baker’s Fen. Dogs under close control are welcome on the main reserve paths, and on a short lead can join you in the Visitor Centre, shop and Docky Hut Café to order. Sedge Fen, including the boardwalk and woodland walk, is assistance-dogs-only — even on a lead. If cattle approach, the Trust advises letting your dog off the lead and calling it back once it’s safe, rather than trying to hold a straining dog near a large animal.
Anglesey Abbey, Lode
At Quy Road, Lode, Cambridge, CB25 9EJ (Google Maps, National Trust dog walking trail), this National Trust estate has a dedicated dog-walking trail that takes in flat grass paths, a stretch of paved village street through Lode itself, and a section close to open water. Dogs should stay on a lead for the village part of the route. Dogs — except assistance dogs — aren’t allowed in the house or the formal gardens, so this is one for the wider estate rather than the abbey grounds themselves.
Wandlebury Country Park, Gog Magog Hills
Signposted off the A1307, postcode CB22 3AE (Google Maps, Cambridge PPF’s own rules PDF), Wandlebury sits on the Gog Magog Hills just south of Cambridge, with an Iron Age hillfort at its centre. Dogs must stay on a lead throughout, specifically to protect wildlife, grazing sheep and cattle, and other visitors — there’s no stated off-lead area here, unlike some of the county’s other sites.
Already covered: swimming spots
If your dog’s after water rather than woodland paths, our Cambridgeshire swimming guide covers Grantchester Meadows, Milton Country Park, Ferry Meadows Country Park, Hinchingbrooke Country Park and Roswell Pits Nature Reserve.
Fen and estate paths can be narrow with ditches either side, so a lead that’s easy to shorten quickly is worth having to hand — see the leads and harnesses at Calmshops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs go off lead at Wicken Fen?
Dogs must be under close control at all times on the main reserve, and Sedge Fen is assistance-dogs-only even on a lead. The Trust advises releasing your dog from the lead only if approached by cattle, then calling it back once it’s safe.
Is Wandlebury Country Park dog-friendly?
Dogs are welcome but must stay on a lead throughout, to protect wildlife, grazing livestock and other visitors.
Where can my dog swim in Cambridgeshire?
See our separate Cambridgeshire swimming guide, which covers Grantchester Meadows, Milton Country Park, Ferry Meadows, Hinchingbrooke Country Park and Roswell Pits.
Written by Georgiana & Figo.
