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Shortwood Common
Shortwood Common is a common near Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey. It scores 47 out of 100 for off-lead dog walking (OK).
| Off the lead? | No rules found: check the signs |
|---|---|
| Where | Common near Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey |
| Size | About 66 acres (27 ha) |
| Water for a swim | There's a lake and a canal. |
| Parking | There are several car parks on or near it. |
| Livestock | At some times of year |
| Ground | It's usually firm underfoot: the ground is mostly sandy soil that drains quickly. |
| Shade | 4% woodland |
| Suggested loop | 1.6 miles, about 40 minutes |
What it's like
A good-sized common of about 66 acres, with 2.8 miles of paths. There's a lake and a canal. It's usually firm underfoot: the ground is mostly sandy soil that drains quickly. It's mostly open, with little shade on a hot day. A public road runs through it, so take care near the road. There are several car parks on or near it.
Dogs
We couldn't find any published rules about dogs here. That doesn't mean there aren't any, so check the signs when you arrive.
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
- From 1 March to 31 July, dogs on the open access land here must by law be on a short lead (2 metres or less).
- Cattle or sheep graze here at some times of year. Put your dog on a lead near them.
- The suggested loop crosses a road. Put your dog on the lead to cross.
Parking
- Car park · 98 m from the edge · Directions
- Car park · 2 spaces · 103 m from the edge · Directions
- Car park · 141 m from the edge · Directions
- Car park · 166 m from the edge · Directions
Suggested loop
A 1.6-mile loop from the car park, about 40 minutes at a dog's pace. About 530 m of it is on lanes or drives that cars use. It crosses a road.
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
- The Old Red Lion · Pub · · 0.0 mi from the car park · Directions
- Old Red Lion · Pub · · 0.0 mi from the car park · Directions
- The Star · Pub · · 0.2 mi from the car park · Directions
- Puccinos · Café · · 0.2 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 Shortwood Common?
We couldn't find any published rules about dogs here. That doesn't mean there aren't any, so check the signs when you arrive.
Is there parking at Shortwood Common?
There are several car parks on or near it.
Can dogs swim at Shortwood Common?
There's a lake and a canal.
Are there cows or sheep at Shortwood Common?
At some times of year cattle or sheep graze here. Put your dog on a lead near them.
Is Shortwood Common muddy?
It's usually firm underfoot: the ground is mostly sandy soil that drains quickly.
How long is a walk at Shortwood Common?
Our suggested loop is about 1.6 miles (2.6 km) from the car park and takes about 40 minutes at a dog's pace.
Where this comes from
No official Shortwood Common dog rules found. Common-land register shows cattle/horse grazing rights, some limited to roughly 1 April to 31 December; a tourism listing mentions roaming livestock. Neighbouring Staines Moor guidance (leads in nesting season) not applied here.
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 Staines-upon-Thames, Virginia Water, Addlestone, Walton-on-Thames, or all of Surrey.