Oxleas Wood and Shooters Hill Dog Walk
Shooters Hill, South East London
Oxleas Wood is ancient broadleaf woodland in the middle of south-east London, and the feeling once you are into the trees is that the city is genuinely far away. The woodland complex covers over 130 hectares across Oxleas, Shepherdleas, and Jack Wood, with natural earth paths winding between oak, hornbeam, and sweet chestnut that have stood on this hillside for thousands of years. Dogs are welcome off-lead throughout the woodland and meadow areas - there is no livestock, no formal lead zone in the trees, and the paths are quiet enough that recall is straightforward for most dogs. The one exception is the Oxleas Wood Cafe, which sits in a fenced enclosure; dogs are not permitted inside the fence, but staff serve the outside tables, so you can stop for coffee with your dog settled at your feet.
Worth the short detour through Castle Wood is Severndroog Castle, an 18th-century triangular folly with a tea room that is genuinely dog-friendly - the team there welcomes dogs with water bowls and treats. The standard circuits here run between three and four miles, with the terrain rising and falling gently with the contours of the hill. Cross Shooters Hill Road with your dog on lead - it is a busy A road that bisects the woodland complex.
Seasonal notes: Tarmac paths near the cafe and car park can be hot in direct summer sun. Stick to shaded woodland paths on hot days.
Safety note: The A207 Shooters Hill Road bisects the woodland complex. Keep dogs on leads when crossing this busy road. Cyclists use some of the wider paths, particularly near the cafe.
Parking: Free car parks off Shooters Hill Road (SE18 3JA). Arrives early on sunny weekends as the main car park fills up.
Dog waste bins: Dog waste bins at main entry points from Shooters Hill Road and at the cafe. Maintained by Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Dog-friendly stops: Severndroog Castle Tea Room (Castle Wood, SE18) - dogs welcome in the tea room on the ground floor and in the courtyard. Dog water bowls, treats, and dog ice cream on sale. Open Thursday to Sunday, 9am to 3:30pm. Viewing platform Sundays only, 10am to 3:30pm. Oxleas Wood Cafe (Oxleas Meadow) - hot meals, sandwiches, cakes, ice cream. Dogs outside the fence only. Staff serve outside tables so you can stop for coffee with your dog at your feet. Open daily 8am to 5pm.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs be off-lead at Oxleas Wood?
Yes. Dogs are welcome off-lead throughout the woodland and meadow areas. There is no livestock, no formal lead zone in the trees, and the paths are quiet enough that recall is straightforward for most dogs. Leads are required near the cafe enclosure and when crossing Shooters Hill Road.
Is the cafe dog-friendly?
The Oxleas Wood Cafe sits inside a fenced dog-free enclosure (except guide dogs), but the tables immediately outside the fence are available to dog owners and staff serve outside tables. The Severndroog Castle Tea Room nearby in Castle Wood welcomes dogs inside and in the courtyard with water bowls, treats, and dog ice cream.
How long is the walk?
Standard circuits range from 5 to 6.5 km (around 3 to 4 miles). The Oxleas and Shepherdleas Woods Circular is 4.8 km, Oxleas, Shepherdleas and Jack Wood Circular is 5.8 km, and the Falconwood Circular around Oxleas Wood and Shooters Hill is 6.3 km.
Plan this walk with live weather and dog-safe route info