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Fresh air, close to home
A riverside wander, a walk with the dog or an afternoon at the playground. Discover places in and around our twelve villages.
8 places across our area. Sources checked 12 November 2026.
Nearby places are labelled with their actual location. Dog-friendly listings include the operator’s restrictions; they do not mean off-lead access. Follow current signs and check the source before travelling.
Walking · Dogs welcome with restrictions
Hesketh Bank to Tarleton sea lock
Follow the former railway beside the River Douglas, with riverside views and places to pause.
Dogs on leads throughout. Stay on the surfaced path. Public access ends at the sea lock; do not assume a through-route to Rufford.
Read source and visitor information ↗Walking · Dogs welcome with restrictions
Dib Road, Hesketh Bank, PR4 6XQ
A saltmarsh outing with a 500-metre surfaced route to Karen’s viewpoint.
Dogs on leads on public footpaths and bridleways only. No toilets. Follow reserve signs and keep off the saltmarsh.
Read source and visitor information ↗Walking · Dogs welcome with restrictions
Nearby: Marshside, Southport, PR9 9PJ
An outing near Banks for coastal wildlife and reserve trails.
Dogs on leads; assistance dogs only in hides. Parking charges and seasonal gate times apply. Follow the RSPB’s route information.
Read source and visitor information ↗Walking · Dogs welcome with restrictions
Rufford, Holmeswood Road, L40 1TG; nearby option for Mere Brow
Woodland and lakeside paths with bird hides and a visitor centre.
Dogs on leads. Most paths are described as accessible by the operator, but the pine-wood shortcut is not wheelchair suitable. Parking charges apply; check maintenance notices.
Read source and visitor information ↗Walking · Dogs welcome with restrictions
Rufford Old Hall car park, L40 1SG
A National Trust route of 2 miles (3.2 km), taking around an hour through the village and beside the canal.
Dog-friendly according to the route guide. Admission applies to the grounds. About half the route follows roads; church access includes steps. Follow current towpath notices.
Read source and visitor information ↗Walking · Dogs welcome with restrictions
Longton Brickcroft, Liverpool Road, PR4 5YY
A 1.5-mile council walking route beginning at the nature reserve.
Keep dogs on leads in the reserve. Download the Longton Brickcroft leaflet for directions; check visitor-centre and toilet availability.
Read source and visitor information ↗Dog access and reserve information ↗Walking · Dogs welcome with restrictions
St Michael’s Church, Liverpool Old Road, Much Hoole; nearby option for Walmer Bridge
A published three-mile (five-kilometre) countryside ramble towards the River Douglas.
Keep dogs under control. Includes stiles, fields, riverbank and road sections, including the A59. Not step-free. Follow current signs; horse access is not confirmed.
Read source and visitor information ↗Walking · Dogs welcome with restrictions
Starts at Hutton Village Hall car park
A seven-mile council walking route through the countryside around Hutton and Longton.
Allow around three hours and fifteen minutes. Several stiles and river-edge sections; paths can become waterlogged. Keep dogs under control and clean up. Not step-free; horse access is not confirmed.
Read source and visitor information ↗For horse riders
We have confirmed a riding reference for Eyes Lane in Bretherton, a road shared with traffic. We have not confirmed a complete off-road riding circuit in each village. Walking routes and canal towpaths on this page are not advertised as horse routes.
Use Lancashire County Council’s rights-of-way map to check bridleways and byways around your village, then check closures, signs and any private permissions. Croston Parish Council specifically identifies Dandy Croft as not a bridleway.
Facilities and closures can change. Check equipment age labels, dog restrictions and entrance notices. We do not assume toilets, parking or step-free access where these have not been verified.
Council play-area closures and updates ↗Know a local route, a changed access rule or a playground update? Send the location and an official source for us to review.
Suggest a place or report a correction →