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Shalford Water Meadows
Shalford Water Meadows is a nature reserve near Shalford, Surrey. We rate it Great for off-lead dog walking (76 out of 100): 2.5 miles of paths, water to swim in and car park.
| Off the lead? | Yes, if your dog is under control |
|---|---|
| Where | Nature reserve near Shalford, Surrey |
| Size | About 110 acres (44 ha) |
| Water for a swim | There's a lake, a river and a canal. |
| Parking | There are several car parks on or near it. |
| Livestock | At some times of year |
| Ground | Expect mud after rain: the ground is mostly riverside ground that can flood after heavy rain. |
| Shade | 33% woodland |
| Suggested loop | 1.4 miles, about 35 minutes |
What it's like
A good-sized nature reserve of about 110 acres, with 2.5 miles of paths. There's a lake, a river and a canal. Expect mud after rain: the ground is mostly riverside ground that can flood after heavy rain. It's a mix of woodland and open ground. A main road runs close to one edge. There are several car parks on or near it.
Dogs
Guildford Borough Council says dogs can be off the lead here if they're under control.
You're responsible for your dog. Before you let it off the lead, read the signs at the entrance, look out for livestock and roads, and make sure it will come back when called.
Watch out for
- Cattle or sheep graze here at some times of year. Put your dog on a lead near them.
Parking
- Car park · pay · 60 m from the edge · Directions
- Car park · free · 195 m from the edge · Directions
- Car park · 226 m from the edge · Directions
- Car park · 227 m from the edge · Directions
Suggested loop
A 1.4-mile loop from the car park, about 35 minutes at a dog's pace.
Shown dashed on the map above. Drawn by computer from OpenStreetMap paths. We haven't walked it: paths can be missing, private, closed or overgrown.
Pubs and cafés nearby
- Ye Olde Ship Inn · Pub · · 0.3 mi from the car park · Directions
- The Weyside · Pub · · 0.3 mi from the car park · Directions
- Pilgrim Cafe · Café · · 0.4 mi from the car park · Directions
- The Britannia · Pub · · 0.5 mi from the car park · Directions
From OpenStreetMap. Dog policies only show where someone has mapped them, and they change. Run one of these? Get listed
Questions
Can dogs go off the lead at Shalford Water Meadows?
Guildford Borough Council says dogs can be off the lead here if they're under control.
Is there parking at Shalford Water Meadows?
There are several car parks on or near it. Parking: pay.
Can dogs swim at Shalford Water Meadows?
There's a lake, a river and a canal.
Are there cows or sheep at Shalford Water Meadows?
At some times of year cattle or sheep graze here. Put your dog on a lead near them.
Is Shalford Water Meadows muddy?
Expect mud after rain: the ground is mostly riverside ground that can flood after heavy rain.
How long is a walk at Shalford Water Meadows?
Our suggested loop is about 1.4 miles (2.2 km) from the car park and takes about 35 minutes at a dog's pace.
Where this comes from
Council grazing page lists Shalford Water Meadows with cattle from April 2026 across spring to autumn. Only says keep dogs under control and follow signage; no lead requirement stated. A blog suggests leads near the weir and rowing club.
Researched online in November 2026. Nobody from Find Dog Walks has checked this place in person. Mud and shade are estimated from geology and woodland maps.
Something wrong? Open it on the map and use "Report a problem with this page", or email [email protected].
Nearby walks
More walks near Guildford, Godalming, or all of Surrey.