Living in Studley I am lucky enough to be surrounded by many lovely places to walk, but you would be falling asleep reading about them all, so I will narrow it down to two 😊.

Roughill/Wirehill woods

I think this walk could be underrated and certainly taken for granted but seeing as its so local (just a walk up the road for me!), under cover and HUGE it is definitely one of my favourite places to take my dog. You can take a short route, long route, or go off the tracks and get lost (like I usually do) so it can be tailored for any dogs/owners needs and abilities. In fact there is that many I couldn’t even tell you a particular route to take! Having different routes mean you can mix up the walk each time you go too! Our usual walk to the woods and back is approximately 4km.

Being a large wood there is plenty of wildlife to watch out/listen for including Woodpeckers and Cuckoos. Being a Pointer X, my dog loves the scent from the wildlife and often goes off on a sniff trail, so it’s perfect for stimulating them to keep them happy and entertained. It is also perfect on slightly warmer days (not hot days), and rainy days as the trees provide natural shelter from the sun and rain making it nice and cool and relatively dry. It not only makes for perfect dog walking, but with the birdsong and sound of the trees blowing in the wind make it very peaceful and calming which is an added bonus for you if you have had a hard day or feeling a little stressed. The only downside I would say is the lack of parking. There is a small carpark off The Slough but this is allocated to members of the wildlife trust only, leaving you to either walk there or find an alternative parking space – many people park on nine days lane. In the spring, there is also the bonus of bluebells.

Rough Hill Wood | Warwickshire Wildlife Trust

Studley to Sambourne

This one can include a pub stop off if you fancy some pub grub or a drink, it is dog friendly too. I usually start off walking through the big field that you can access via node hill. There is a public path you can walk which takes you directly through the middle of the field into another field. If you wanted to make the walk longer you can go around the edge of the field first, or even just walk the large field, again, you can tailor it for yours and your dogs abilities/requirements. You will need to keep your dog on the lead as there is usually livestock in the next field. There is a nice stream that also runs around the edge of the bottom field, and if you keep close to it you will go over a bridge (you need to step over so you need to be quite agile) and pass a lovely little farm. You can end the walk there and head back into Studley or carry on and head towards the green dragon. It’s a particularly nice walk in the early summer as the past couple of years the big field becomes a sea of purple flowers.

The only issue with this route is that at certain points you do have to walk on the road. However, if you are feeling energetic you can cross the road and go through the fields (follow the footpath) which can bring you out by the Throckmorton pub (wahey!). This is a walk for when it's not too warm though and you have a fit, healthy dog.

Additional favourite local walks (all tried and tested 😊)

Morgrove Coppice - Accessible Trail | Heart of England Forest

Haydon Way Wood | Heart of England Forest

Millennium Way: Coughton and Spernall | Map, Guide - Warwickshire, England | AllTrails

Studley and Coughton Court CIrcular | Map, Guide - Warwickshire, England | AllTrails