Taunton is a brilliant place to live if you have a dog. Within fifteen minutes of the town centre, you can find yourself on a winding riverside path, deep within ancient woodland, or on top of a hill with views stretching all the way to Wales.
After years of walking my own two dogs, Athena and Apollo, along with many of my clients’ dogs across Somerset, I have narrowed down the spots I return to again and again.
A quick note before we start: I have flagged the on-lead rules for each location, but conditions can change quickly. Sheep arrive, gates close, or paths get muddy. Always check the venue’s own website on the day. If your dog does not have a rock-solid recall around livestock, keep them clipped on. The Quantocks have free-roaming Exmoor ponies and the Blackdown Hills often have grazing cattle. It is always better to be safe than to end up chasing.
If you would rather have someone else handle the walking, I offer solo walks and small group walks across Taunton and the surrounding villages. Most of the spots listed below feature on my regular routes.
1. Vivary Park, Taunton
This is the town's flagship park. It is located right in the centre and is walkable from anywhere in TA1. It offers around 7.5 hectares of flat, surfaced paths, formal gardens, and open lawns. This makes it a very easy choice for older dogs, pushchairs, or anyone short on time.
- Where: Upper High Street, TA1 3SX (main entrance).
- Parking: There is no on-site car park. Use one of the town-centre car parks like Fons George or Ash Meadows.
- The Benefit: This is a great "first walk" for a new client dog. Because there are people, prams, kids, and ducks all in one place, you find out very quickly how a dog handles a busy environment.
- Facilities: Public toilets and a café (Coffee Station) are available.
2. Longrun Meadow & French Weir Park
These two areas sit right next to each other and effectively form one large green corridor. Even though it is only a 10-minute walk from the town centre, it feels like proper countryside. The River Tone runs along one side, and you can find the Willow Cathedral right in the middle of the meadow.
- The Route: A circular route of about 3.7 km takes around 50 minutes at a steady pace.
- Parking: Silk Mills Park & Ride is the most sensible option.
- The Vibe: This area is very wheelchair and pushchair friendly.
- Café: The Weir is a privately run café that is reliably welcoming to dogs.
3. Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine
If you only do one "destination" dog walk near Taunton, it should be Hestercombe. It is located about four miles north of town. Dogs are welcome on a short lead throughout the gardens, the woodland walks, the lakes, and even inside Hestercombe House itself. They even hand out a free dog treat at the entrance.
- Where: Cheddon Fitzpaine, TA2 8LG.
- Parking: Paid parking is available, though it is free for Hestercombe members. Check current entry prices at hestercombe.com
- Terrain: You will find steeper sections in the woodland and formal terraces lower down.
- Dog Policy: It is one of the few places where a dog is genuinely treated as a guest rather than just being tolerated.
4. Cothelstone Hill, Quantock Hills
The Quantocks are a National Landscape (this is the new name for an AONB) just north-west of Taunton. Cothelstone Hill is one of the easier ways to access the hills. A 4 km loop takes you past the Seven Sisters beech clump and ancient burial mounds.
- Where: Free car park (what3words: ///imposes.nudge.ghost).
- Dogs: I strongly recommend keeping dogs on a lead here. There are conservation-grazing Exmoor ponies, sheep, and red deer throughout the area.
- The View: On a clear day, you can see across the whole Vale of Taunton to Exmoor and the Bristol Channel.
5. Lydeard Hill to Wills Neck
This is a second Quantocks option for fitter dogs and walkers. From the Lydeard Hill car park, you can reach Wills Neck, which is the highest point in the range.
- Where: TA4 3DY (about a mile east of West Bagborough).
- Terrain: This route is hillier and more exposed than Cothelstone.
- Tip: Always bring water on warm days. The Quantocks dry out very fast, and there are few natural water sources on the ridge.
6. Wellington Monument, Blackdown Hills
This is the tallest three-sided obelisk in the world. It sits on a ridge of the Blackdown Hills about seven miles south-west of Taunton. The National Trust runs the site and gives it a "two-pawprint" dog rating. This means they provide water bowls, dog bins, and clear signage for walkers.
- Where: Near Wellington, TA21 9PB.
- Parking: Paid for non-members at the National Trust car park.
- Walks: A tree-lined gravel path runs for about 1.5 miles round trip. It is a local favourite for sunrise and sunset walks.
7. Castle Neroche, Blackdown Hills
This Forestry England site sits on the location of an Iron Age hillfort. It offers forest tracks and bridleways through heavy tree cover. This is particularly useful on hot summer days when open hill walks provide very little shade.
- Where: Near Staple Fitzpaine, TA20 3LB.
- Parking: Free car park, but please note there is a 2-metre height barrier.
- Dogs: Close control is essential as there are often grazing cattle in the forest.
8. Otterhead Lakes, Blackdown Hills
These are two former Victorian estate reservoirs tucked into the woodland. It is managed as a Local Nature Reserve and is usually much quieter than the National Trust sites.
- Where: Otterhead, near Churchstanton.
- Rules: Dogs must be on a lead at all times. This is due to the presence of ground-nesting birds and adders.
- Terrain: There is a lovely circular route around the lakes, though it can get quite muddy and bumpy in the winter.
9. Thurlbear Wood
This is a 16-hectare ancient woodland managed by the Somerset Wildlife Trust. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with over 200 recorded species of fungi and beautiful bluebells in the spring.
- Where: Thurlbear, near Stoke St Mary.
- Parking: There is no formal car park. You can find limited verge parking near the entrance or park in Thurlbear village and walk in.
- Policy: Dogs must stay on a lead and remain on the marked paths to protect the rare plants and fungi.
10. Netherclay Community Woodland
Located in Bishops Hull, this is a fantastic local spot that often gets overlooked. It offers a mix of new woodland and riverside meadows. It is a smaller site, making it perfect for a quick afternoon stroll.
- Access: Walkable from the Silk Mills area or Bishops Hull village.
- Dogs: Generally allowed off-lead, but be mindful of the river if your dog likes to swim, as the banks can be steep.
Practical Tips for Somerset Dog Walking
The Mud
Somerset soil is heavy. Areas like Longrun Meadow and Castle Neroche turn into a mud bath from October to March. Keep a boot wash and towels in the car.
Livestock
The Quantocks and Blackdowns are working landscapes. If your dog chases sheep, it can lead to a criminal offence. Use a long-line if you are unsure.
Adders
These are present on the Blackdowns from spring to autumn. Keep dogs out of long heather and deep bracken on warm days to avoid bites.
Water
While Vivary and French Weir have water on the route, the hills do not. Always pack a bottle for your dog in the summer.
Want someone else to do the walking?
If you would rather not battle the mud yourself, I can help. I am Emma, the dog walker and trainer behind Dogs and Fairy Tails, based right here in Taunton.
I am BSc Animal Behaviour qualified, fully insured, and DBS checked. I also compete at Crufts in both Agility and Heelwork to Music. This means your dog is in genuinely capable, professional hands. I offer solo walks, small group walks, and in-home pet sitting.
Book a free meet and greet and we can find the perfect walking route for your dog. Or if you'd like to know more about me first, here's the about page.