Our favourite summer Dog Walks in and around Keynsham
Keynsham is surrounded by beautiful countryside and we are really lucky to have so many places close to hand where we can recharge our batteries and get close to nature.
However, when we’re out walking with our dogs there are extra things we need to consider and we can find ourselves repeating the same walk day after day. The girls and I love these walks, we hope you do to.
We usually walk early in the morning so heat is rarely an issue, but do consider your choice of walk if the temperatures are soaring.
Keynsham Memorial Park
We are so lucky to have such a big and beautiful park and I find a quick lap really useful for days when I haven’t got as much time as I’d like. It’s been especially useful when I’ve been building up the distance my Rosie girl can walk after injury as it’s perfect for pushing her dog pram. This also makes it the perfect place for owners with mobility needs.
The park is great for playing games with our dogs, they don’t need to walk so far when we are working their brains, a perfect solution for tiring them out mentally rather than physically when the weather is hot. If you’d like to learn some games to play with your dog come along to my Monday evening classes and you’ll soon be recharging your relationship with your dog and playing like a pro in the park!
Good Points about this walk:
Proper paths and cut grass for ease of access and playing games
Nick of Keynsham Coffee Co provides a great cup of coffee, chat and an opportunity to train your dog (all eyes on me!) whilst watching the world go by!
Lots of places for your dog to have a drink in the river or pond, plus shady sections under the trees for hot days.
Parking close by.
Lots of other dog walkers to chat to if your dog is OK with that.
Things to look out for:
There are exits with no gates onto busy roads, be aware if your dog doesn’t have a great recall and keep the lead on.
The park can be really challenging for dogs who struggle with greeting other dogs, but if you pick your times it is still possible to have a stress free walk as there is lots of space.
At busy times there can be picnics and family ball games, again if your dog’s recall isn’t brilliant, keep on lead as the temptation can be just too much!!!
Somerdale Loop
This is one of my favourite places to walk with my dogs. Lots of space to play games and a (mostly) good path for dog prams, wheelchairs, bikes etc, so the perfect place to include all the family. Dogs can run down the bank to get a drink in the river in a few places, so perfect for warmish days. There’s not much tree cover though, so do consider that if the temperature goes up too high.
There are three entry/exit points, so you can choose how far you want to walk.
Good Points about this walk
Parking usually available on the road near the entry points - if not, there is always space in the Pavillion Car Park.
B Block Cafe and Somerdale Pavillion for human drinks and snacks!
If your dog needs space from others there is room to move off the path and give your dog the space they need.
In summer the path is brilliant for anyone with mobility issues.
Things to look out for:
The river banks are steep, check before you let your dog go down the bank that they will be able to get back up.
There is a ditch with water which looks stagnant during dry periods. It is closest to the Dry Lease Road entry point, past the water pumping station and next to the bench. In summer I put my dogs on lead near here as Rosie especially will do anything to get into water and she doesn’t understand about blue/green algae being poisonous.
Willsbridge Mill
We love this short walk when the weather’s hot as it’s under trees the whole way round. There are various entry points which join the main loop around the river. We love the stone sculptures and big tree stumps for playing games with our girls.
Good points about this walk:
Parking off Long Beach Road, Longwell Green
Cafe (as we’re early birds we’ve never actually been as it opens later)
Easy access to the river behind the main mill building
Things to look out for:
Paths are hilly and rough in places, we have pushed our dog pram round, but it wasn’t easy.
At busy times it’s not ideal for a dog that finds other dogs challenging as there is no room at the side of the paths.
Entrances open onto busy roads.
Saltford to Kelston Cheese Shop
I grew up in Saltford, so this is a walk I’ve done my whole life, often going on up beyond Kelston village to Kelston Round Tump. This shorter version is more suited to our tripaw girl Rosie, but still takes a good hour.
Starting at the Bird in Hand entrance to the cycle path, walk up to the bridge over the river and when you’ve crossed the river, stick to the footpath on the left hand side at the side of the main cycle path.
Turn left down the side of the embankment until you reach the river and turn right (lots of rabbits here, watch out if your dog’s a hunter!). Follow the river until you reach the cottages at Kelston Mill. Follow the new footpath which takes you behind the cottages which takes you to a lane, then as the lane turns to the left, take the footpath which goes straight ahead by the side of the stream and this takes you into a field, walk straight across and then you will see the Cheese Cafe ahead of you.
Once you’ve stopped for a cheese scone and coffee (!) go through the farm yard (great opportunities for eyes on me training away from the chickens!) and take the footpath to the right and back down the hill towards Saltford which you will be able to see.
Good points about this walk:
Lots of spots for your dog to drink, the river, little stream and cattle troughs.
Lovely views
Great cafe
Things to look out for:
Parking in Saltford can be tricky as there are double yellow lines everywhere, try the Shallows car park.
If you want a table at the Cheese Shop at peak times I would book ahead.
As it’s a working dairy farm you may meet cows in the fields. In our experience they are the kind of cows who keep themselves to themselves and don’t seem bothered by people walking on the footpaths with dogs on lead, but obviously this can’t be guaranteed.
Woollard to Lord’s Wood, Pensford
We like to park on the bridge in Woollard and if you are facing in the Hunstreet direction, take the footpath to the right which has a small concrete footbridge over the stream. When you’re in the field, keep to the hedge on the left and you will come to a wooden gate over a bridge, take this and then turn right up the track. Keep going all the way to the top until you reach Lord’s Wood on your left. There are loads of footpaths in the woods which are great to explore. There are also a couple of ponds and streams so your dog can have a drink.
Good Points about this walk
Brilliant walk for warm weather as mostly under trees and lots of streams and ponds for doggy drinks and swims!
Lots of ways you can vary the walk as there are so many different footpaths to explore.
Usually really quiet.
Things to look out for:
Watch out for sheep and cattle in the fields by the river and keep your dog on a lead.
Check for ticks afterwards as the wood is a bit of a hot spot.
For us when we are in the woods we keep our dogs on lead as there are plenty of deer about even if you don’t see them.
Tag us on Insta when you try one, @healandlead2024