Welford Pools Dog Walk

We love the Welford Pools Dog Walk as it has parking right at the start, lots of water, no livestock and is great for a picnic by the edge of the lake.

Start

From Lechlade take the A417 towards Fairford and turn left immediately after the filling station signed Whelford. Continue for about 1/2 mile until you see a sign (the sign in on the right hand side of the road pointing left) to Whelford Pools Nature Reserve.

Waypoint 1

From the parking area head through the wooden gates signed nature reserve, please keep dogs under control as there are rare birds nesting in the area. Follow this path for 50 meters until you reach a small open area of grassland.

Waypoint 2

Follow the path to the left along a high fence with a lake on your right and continue until you come to another small open area of grassland. Turn left and follow the path until you reach a style and wooden foot bridge on your left.

Waypoint 3

Cross the style and continue along the path. The path is fenced on both sides and takes you along the boundary of the Yoo Lake Lodges. Eventually you will reach another wooden style

Waypoint 4

Cross the style and turn immediately right, go though a small wooded area and the path then opens up onto Bowmoor lake. Continue to bear right with the edge of the lake on your left

Waypoint 5

As you head around the lake there are plenty of places for the dogs to take a dip but as you reach the bottom end do put dogs on leads as the path merges into the access track
for the sailing club and then follows the route of the A417

Waypoint 6

Pass the sailing club on your left keeping dogs on leads until the path take a 90 degree left turn at which point it is safe to let them off

Waypoint 7

From here just continue with the banks of the lake on your left until you reach point at which you started your loop. Turn right and follow the path back to the car park

If you have the time do explore the nature reserve as there are a couple of bird hides from which you may be able to spot some unusual species. We hope you enjoy the Welford Pools Dog Walk, we certainly did.