Ask ten people where to walk a dog around Bury and most will start with Burrs or Peel Tower. Fair enough, both are good. But the borough is bigger than those two names. It runs from the moorland above Holcombe and Hawkshaw, down through Ramsbottom and Bury town, to the wooded Irwell valley around Prestwich and Whitefield, and the walks in each part suit very different dogs. We are in Bacup, a few valleys further up the Irwell, so think of this as a neighbour's guide rather than a local council's, built from published sources rather than guesswork.
The guide covers the main walks, what each is good for, what the sources say about leads, livestock and mud, how to get there without a car where the sources give us bus numbers, and what to do about ticks afterwards. Where a source is old, commercial or contradicts another one, we say so. On hilly, muddy routes a well-fitted harness makes a real difference to comfort for both ends of the lead, and ours, the Big Trail Harness, has front and back clips, a top handle for the awkward stile or steep bank, an AirTag holder, reflective strips and padding, and comes in four sizes.
Where Bury sits, and how we grouped the walks
Bury is a borough of Greater Manchester, and the walks in it fall into four rough groups. First, the river and country park walks along the Irwell, which are mostly flat and surfaced in places: Burrs Country Park and Nuttall Park. Second, the hill, meaning Holcombe Hill with Peel Tower on top, which is steep and exposed. Third, the moorland edge and wooded valleys around Hawkshaw and Affetside, which are longer and more demanding. Fourth, the urban forest in the south of the borough, where Prestwich Forest Park stitches together a string of woods, clough paths and parkland.
We have already written a detailed local guide to the Ramsbottom end of this area, covering Burrs, Nuttall Park, Peel Tower, Redisher Wood and more, which you can read in our dog walking spots near Ramsbottom guide. This post takes the wider borough view. We keep Burrs, Nuttall and Peel Tower shorter here, and spend more time on places the Ramsbottom guide does not cover, such as Prestwich Forest Park, Philips Park and Drinkwater Park, plus the Hawkshaw and Affetside end of the moors.
A word about our sources
Dog-walking information online varies a lot in quality, so here is what we leaned on and what to be careful with. For the National Trust's Peel Tower route we used the National Trust's own page. For Philips Park we used Bury Council's nature reserve leaflet. For the Hawkshaw and Affetside walk and the Prestwich Clough circular we used GM Walking, a walking-route site; its Hawkshaw page was last modified on 27 November 2024, while the Prestwich page shows no date at all. Wikipedia supplied background on Burrs and Drinkwater Park.
We also used DogWalksNearMe, a walk-guide aggregator, for dog-specific notes, and it contradicts itself in places. Its Burrs Country Park listing is headed "Full Off-Leash" but its own notes say dogs should be on leads near the cafe, play areas, car parks and railway line. Its Peel Tower listing gives 5.1 miles, whereas the National Trust's circular is 1.9 miles. Those are different routes, not a straight error, but it shows why you should treat distances as ballpark figures. Finally, Visit Manchester's "Top 5 walks in Bury" was published on 5 April 2017, so its details may be out of date, and it does not give dog policies. None of these sources is an official statement of the rules at a particular site, so signs on the day always win.
Rules to know before you go
Start with the one that applies everywhere. Bury Council says that not cleaning up after your dog is an environmental offence that can lead to a fine, and that an officer has to have witnessed the offence or have proof before issuing a fixed penalty notice. The page we read does not give the fine amount. Carry more bags than you think you need. If you like to keep them tidy, our Big Walk Set pairs an engraved collar with a 150cm lead and a zipped poo-bag holder that clips onto the lead. Note that it is personalised and made to order, which the listing says takes two to three weeks, and it cannot be returned.
Next, dog-control rules. Many councils have orders requiring dogs on leads in certain areas or banning them from play areas and sports pitches. We looked for a Bury Council page setting these out and did not find one. The council's dog fouling page does not mention any, and our searches kept returning other councils' orders instead. We therefore cannot tell you which rules apply in a given Bury park, and we are not going to guess. Look for signs at entrances, keep your dog out of play areas and away from marked sports pitches as a matter of courtesy, and ask the council if you are unsure.
Then livestock, which matters on the Holcombe and Hawkshaw routes. According to Ordnance Survey and Countryfile, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 came into force in England and Wales on 18 March 2026. Ordnance Survey says it widens the offence beyond fields to roads, tracks and public rights of way, removes the old £1,000 cap on fines, and covers chasing and barking that cause stress even without physical contact. The practical reading is that a lead is needed whenever livestock are in sight or likely. For the full picture, see our guide to walking dogs safely near livestock.
Finally, the Countryside Code as summarised by the Kennel Club. On open country and common land, keep dogs on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July, and all year near farm animals. On public paths a lead is generally not needed if your dog stays under close control, and the Code says to keep dogs on a lead if you cannot rely on their recall. If a farm animal chases you and your dog, it says to let the dog off the lead rather than risk injury. If your dog's recall is shaky, work on it before you head for the moors; our guide to improving recall in a distracted dog is a good start.
Burrs Country Park: the easy riverside option
Burrs Country Park, on the northern edge of Bury (BL8 1DA), is 36 hectares, or 89 acres, according to Wikipedia, on the banks of the River Irwell. Bury council bought the derelict site in 1986 and created the country park in 1989. It stands on the former Burrs and Higher Woodhill cotton mill complex; most of the mill remains were cleared, but the Burrs Mill chimney, mill floor and water wheel pit were kept, which gives the walk a bit of industrial history. The Irwell Sculpture Trail runs through it with three sculptures, and the heritage East Lancashire Railway's Burrs Country Park station opened on 1 January 2017, with trains every weekend year-round according to Wikipedia. Birdwatchers note herons, dippers and kingfishers.
For dog walkers, DogWalksNearMe describes it as an easy walk of about three miles, with a range of 1.5 to 4 miles depending on your route, taking one to two and a half hours. Riverside paths are mostly surfaced, while woodland paths are earthy, rooty, uneven and muddy, and there are meadows, slopes and steps near the old mill workings. It lists poo bins and a dog water source, several free car parks, and a cafe, toilets and a pub nearby. The main car park is near the Lamppost Cafe and it says that car park can be very busy. It also says the park is not stile-free, is busy and has no fenced area.
On leads, take the listing's own notes as the useful part: leads near the cafe, play areas, car parks and the railway line, with off-lead running commonly seen in the woods and meadows as long as dogs stay under control. We would add that a railway line and a river on one site are good reasons to keep a long, strong lead handy for a dog who is still learning. The River Irwell runs through the park and the same source notes shallow paddling areas, with advice to check currents and water quality first and to carry fresh water. After heavy rain, we would skip the paddle altogether. Burrs suits most healthy adult dogs and confident puppies, and it is the easiest of the borough's walks to combine with a cafe stop.
Nuttall Park and the Irwell Sculpture Trail
Nuttall Park in Ramsbottom (BL0 9LU) is the gentle town-edge option. Visit Manchester's 2017 list describes a River Irwell trail, accessible paths, sculptures on the Irwell Sculpture Trail, and a perimeter track popular with dog walkers. A newer Visit Manchester trail page lists a roughly five-mile easy route from Ramsbottom railway station that joins the Irwell Sculpture Trail, passes through Nuttall Park with its views of the surrounding hills and sculptures, and continues towards Holcombe and Peel Tower, with about 50 feet of ascent and descent in total. The page does not say whether five miles means the whole route in one loop or the out-and-back, and it does not mention dogs, livestock or stiles, so check the route before you commit a small or older dog to it.
If you are bringing an older dog or one that tires quickly, a flat park with a perimeter path lets you shorten the walk at any point, which is the main thing to look for. We have more suggestions in our guide to easy dog walks for older dogs. The Irwell Sculpture Trail itself is long: our Rawtenstall guide describes it running from Bacup through Rawtenstall and Ramsbottom to Bury and on towards Salford, so you can treat the Bury stretches as short samples of a much longer path. Our Rawtenstall walking routes post covers the upstream end.
Peel Tower and Holcombe Moor: the big view
Peel Tower on Holcombe Hill is the borough's best-known landmark. Visit Manchester's 2017 list (BL8 4NR) says there are 148 steps up the tower, with views to Manchester, Cheshire and North Wales on a clear day. The National Trust says the tower opens only on certain days and lists Bury Tourist Information on 0161 253 5111 for opening times, so call before you plan a climb, and note that you would need a plan for your dog while you go up. We have not seen anything confirming whether dogs may go inside, so assume not unless the tower's own notice says otherwise.
The National Trust's Holcombe Moor and Stubbins Estate circular is the walk to know. It is about 1.9 miles (3.04km), rated moderate, and takes 30 minutes to an hour and a half. The first half is a bridleway and the second half a footpath, and the track is uneven and fairly steep for its entire length. It starts at the Lumb Carr car park on Lumb Carr Road, Holcombe (BL8 4NN), and the Trust asks you to take care crossing the road. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a lead during the nesting season, 1 March to 31 July, and whenever livestock are present. DogWalksNearMe, which gives the longer 5.1-mile version, says sheep graze freely across the moor, so a lead is the sensible default all year.
Weather is the other issue. DogWalksNearMe describes the hilltop as very exposed and often windy, and says the summit can be cold even in summer. On a wet, blustery day a waterproof jacket is worth having for a short-coated or older dog, and the Dorset Explorer Storm-Breaker Bundle gives a 100 percent waterproof jacket with a breathable lining, reflective trim, a back attachment point for the lead, and a free reflective lead, in eight sizes. It will not make a dangerous day safe, though. Our guide to how cold is too cold for a dog walk explains when to turn back.
For facilities, the National Trust lists a cafe in Helmshore, shops and cafes in Ramsbottom, the Hare and Hounds pub, cafe and shops at Holcombe Brook, and the Shoulder of Mutton pub across the road near the end of the walk. It adds that buses 472 and 474 run from Bury to Holcombe Brook, about 400m from the start. If you want pub recommendations that welcome dogs, our dog-friendly pubs and cafes guide covers the Shoulder of Mutton, but ring ahead, since a welcome for dogs is the pub's decision and policies change.
Hawkshaw, Affetside and Redisher Wood: the long moorland-edge day
North of Holcombe, the borough turns to moorland edge and wooded valleys. GM Walking's Hawkshaw and Affetside route is 8.5 miles, graded challenging and described as suitable for experienced, fit walkers, with lanes and field paths through moorland-edge scenery plus two wooded valleys. Visit Manchester's 2017 list also calls it fairly demanding. It starts at the Hare and Hounds pub (BL0 9RY), where GM Walking lists parking, and says dogs are permitted on a lead. It also mentions frequent buses from Bury Interchange, though it gives no route numbers, so check a current timetable. GM Walking's page does not mention stiles or livestock, but field paths on the edge of the moors usually mean both, so plan for a lead and for lifting or helping a bigger dog over a stile. That is our inference, not a fact from the page.
Eight and a half miles is a long way for most dogs in one go. We would treat it as a menu rather than a set meal: pick a section, or do the woods first and decide whether to go on. The highlight for dog walkers is probably Redisher Wood, point 7 on the GM Walking route. It is a Local Nature Reserve of about 14 hectares of ancient woodland in a valley at the foot of Holcombe Hill, largely unchanged since the mid-19th century according to the page, with bluebells carpeting the steep valley sides in late spring and lesser celandine along Holcombe Brook. Steep sides mean steps and slippery ground in wet weather, and the page says the route as a whole is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. It is also covered at more length in our Ramsbottom guide.
One warning is specific to this area. GM Walking says the northern section at Holcombe Moor Training Camp is occasionally closed for military training, with warning flags, and gives 01204 882991 as the number to ring to check before you set out. Visit Manchester's 2017 list says the same thing about the Hawkshaw and Affetside walk. If the section is closed or flagged, do not push on. Turn round or choose a different route, because a missed warning flag is not worth the walk.
Prestwich Forest Park: the borough's urban woodland
Down at the southern end of the borough, Prestwich Forest Park is the big surprise for anyone who thinks Bury means moors. Visit Manchester's 2017 list says it covers over 500 acres. Wikipedia's Drinkwater Park entry says the forest park includes Philips Park, Mere Clough, Prestwich Clough, Forest Bank Park, Waterdale Meadow and Drinkwater Park itself. In practice that means a chain of woods and parkland alongside the Irwell. Drinkwater Park is mostly flat floodplain, while the cloughs and Philips Park have steeper sections. Visit Manchester notes that Philips Park has a mountain bike track, and DogWalksNearMe describes Drinkwater Park as busy with dogs, families and cyclists, so expect shared paths.
Philips Park Nature Reserve
Bury Council's nature reserve leaflet describes Philips Park as a Local Nature Reserve made up of roughly two-thirds former Philips family estate and one-third Waterdale, reclaimed Irwell Valley land. The habitats are ancient woodland (North Wood, Mid Wood and Mere Clough), grassland and meadows, mill lodges, scrub, plantation woodland and sandstone outcrops along the Irwell. The leaflet lists woodland flowers including celandine, ramsons and bluebells, meadow orchids and yellow rattle, birds such as kingfisher, goosander and kestrel, at least eight species of dragonfly and damselfly, large toad populations and resident terrapins at Dams Head Lodge. The Irwell Sculpture Trail and National Cycle Network Route 6 both pass through.
For dog walkers, the leaflet suggests two walks from the play area, one around the park and a longer one including Waterdale, and marks steep gradients over 1:10 on its map. There is an old carriage track through South Wood. The leaflet does not list any dog rules, leads or poo-bag requirements, which is not the same as there being none, so follow signs. Parking is limited, with vehicle access from Park Lane in Whitefield. The leaflet says the 95 bus service from Bolton via Radcliffe to Salford runs down Park Lane, but the leaflet is undated, so confirm the service before relying on it. The reserve also has pond-dipping platforms at Kingfisher Lodges that school groups use, formal gardens and a play area. Around open water with children nearby, we would keep a nervous or boisterous dog on a short lead.
Drinkwater Park and the Prestwich Clough circular
Drinkwater Park, on the western edge of Prestwich, is mostly flat floodplain along the Irwell with steep slopes to the east in Carr Clough, according to Wikipedia. It has a long, narrow reservoir stocked with fish, mostly wooded surroundings, gravelled paths and decking across wetlands. Wikipedia says it is popular with local dog walkers. DogWalksNearMe puts the walk at about three miles (2 to 4), moderate, one to two and a half hours, with a mix of surfaced main paths and earthier woodland trails that can be uneven, rooty and slippery after rain. Car parks are reached from Kersal Road or Rainsough Brow, and are sometimes free but can be busy.
Two cautions from that listing are worth repeating. First, it is headed "Full Off-Leash" yet says dogs should be on leads near car parks, busy picnic areas and crowded paths, so the contradiction is the same as at Burrs: use the leads-in-busy-places version. Second, the River Irwell here has paddling spots, but the listing warns of possible strong currents, especially after rain, steep banks and variable water quality. Add the stocked reservoir, and we would also keep an eye out for anglers' lines and hooks, which is our own caution rather than something the sources say.
If you want a proper route, GM Walking's Prestwich Clough and Drinkwater circular is 5.6km (3.5 miles), 75 to 90 minutes, graded fairly easy. It runs on woodland trails and off-road footpaths, mainly level with some inclines and occasional steps, crossing brooks on footbridges and climbing flights of steps in the clough. It starts at the St Mary's Church entrance on Church Lane, Prestwich (M25 1AN), and the page lists buses 90, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98 and 484. It gives no dog notes and shows no date, so treat the bus list as a starting point. This circular is a good "first proper walk" for a fit adult dog, because the route is varied but not far.
Choosing the right Bury walk for your dog
The sources describe the places, but they cannot know your dog. These are our suggestions, drawn from the facts above rather than from any official rating.
For a puppy or a nervous dog, start somewhere with wide, surfaced paths where you can see other dogs coming: the surfaced riverside stretches at Burrs, or the perimeter track at Nuttall Park. Keep early outings short and finish before your dog is tired. For a senior or stiff dog, look for flat routes with an easy exit, such as Nuttall Park, and avoid the sustained climb at Peel Tower and the steps in Prestwich Clough. Our guide to the best walking surfaces for dogs' joints explains why surface matters as much as distance.
For a fit adult dog with solid recall, the Holcombe Moor circular is a short, steep workout, the Prestwich Clough circular a varied woodland outing, and Hawkshaw and Affetside the big day. For a dog that needs brain work as well as exercise, the woodland sections are better than a plain stroll, because there is more to sniff, and our piece on mental versus physical exercise for dogs covers why that counts.
Getting there without a car
Bury is well served by buses, though we can only pass on what the sources say and timetables change. The National Trust says buses 472 and 474 run from Bury to Holcombe Brook, about 400m from the Peel Tower start. GM Walking mentions frequent buses from Bury Interchange for Hawkshaw. Bury Council's leaflet says the 95 runs down Park Lane for Philips Park, and GM Walking lists eight bus numbers for Prestwich. Visit Manchester's trail page starts its Ramsbottom route at Ramsbottom railway station. We did not find anything confirming how each operator treats dogs, so check the operator's own rules before you set out with a dog on a bus, tram or heritage train.
Mud, ticks and the walk home
Many of these walks involve woodland, bracken and long grass, which means ticks. PDSA says ticks should be removed promptly because some UK ticks can transmit Lyme disease. Its method is to use a tick-twisting tool, slide it under the tick as close to the skin as possible, twist in one direction until the tick loosens, and lift away slowly. Ordinary tweezers are a fallback only. Never pull, crush or squeeze a tick, since that can leave mouthparts in the skin. Clean the bite with warm salty water and watch for heat, redness, swelling or discharge at the site, or lethargy and reduced appetite. If part of the tick may be left behind, or you are worried, ask your vet practice. We also cover seasonal seeds and mites in our guide to grass seeds and harvest mites.
Then there is the mud. The Peel Tower track, Burrs woodland and Prestwich Clough are all described as muddy or slippery after rain, which means a very dirty dog in the car. A waterproof boot liner protects the vehicle: our Big Rover boot liner is a waterproof three-ply cross-cut liner that covers the boot floor, seat backs, side walls and bumper lip, measures 180 by 105cm, has headrest straps and a non-slip backing, and fits most UK SUVs, estates and large hatchbacks. For the dog, the Big Dry-Off Kit pairs a microfibre drying coat with a large paw towel. The coat is 365gsm microfibre with a stand-up collar and velcro belly band; it absorbs water but is not waterproof, so it is for after the walk, not during it. Our guide to what to do if your dog gets muddy on walks has the rest of the clean-up routine.
A simple plan for your first Bury weekend
If you want to try the area without over-committing, here is how we would sequence it. On the first outing, do Burrs or Nuttall Park: flat enough, plenty of space, a cafe nearby. Keep your dog on a lead near the railway line and car parks, and let them stretch out on a long line or off lead only where signs and your dog's recall allow. On the second, try the Prestwich Clough circular or Philips Park for a woodland walk of an hour and a half. On the third, once you know how your dog copes with hills and mud, take the National Trust Peel Tower circular on a clear, dry day and check the lead rules for the season before you set out. Leave Hawkshaw and Affetside for last, in sections, and only in good weather after phoning about the training camp.
Whatever you choose, take water, because the Peel Tower listing says there is no dog water source, and carry spare poo bags and a spare lead. Tell someone where you are going if you head for the moor. And when in doubt, shorten the walk: the hill will still be there next weekend.
Q: What should I do if cattle approach us on a footpath around Holcombe or Hawkshaw?
A: The Countryside Code, as summarised by the Kennel Club, says that if a farm animal chases you and your dog, let the dog off the lead rather than risk injury. Ordnance Survey and the British Mountaineering Council give the same advice: the dog can usually outrun cattle, and you should move away calmly towards the nearest safe exit. Call your dog to you once you are clear. This is why recall matters on field paths.
Q: Do I need to keep my dog on a lead on Bury's moors in spring and summer?
A: On open country and common land, the Countryside Code says to keep dogs on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July and all year near farm animals. On public paths a lead is generally not needed if your dog is under close control, but the Code says to use one if you cannot rely on recall. The National Trust asks for leads at Peel Tower during the nesting season, 1 March to 31 July, and near livestock.
Q: How do I remove a tick safely after a woodland walk?
A: PDSA recommends a tick-twisting tool: slide it under the tick close to the skin, twist in one direction until it loosens, and lift away slowly. Do not pull, crush or squeeze the tick. Use ordinary tweezers only as a fallback. Clean the area with warm salty water and watch for heat, redness, swelling, lethargy or reduced appetite, and call your vet if part of the tick may remain or you are worried.
Q: Is it safe to let my dog paddle in the River Irwell at Burrs or Drinkwater Park?
A: The sources are cautious. DogWalksNearMe's listings note possible strong currents, especially after rain, steep banks and variable water quality, and advise checking conditions first and carrying fresh water. We would skip the river after heavy rain, keep a lead on near steep banks, and get any dog that seems unwell after a river visit seen by a vet. None of these sources tests the water, so assume quality can vary.
Q: What if the Holcombe Moor Training Camp section is closed or flagged?
A: GM Walking says the northern section of the Hawkshaw and Affetside route is occasionally closed for military training, with warning flags, and gives 01204 882991 to check before you go. If it is closed or flagged, do not continue. Switch to a different route that day, such as the Prestwich Clough circular, Philips Park or Burrs, and try Hawkshaw again after you have phoned.
— Joseph, The Big Pet Shop, Bacup, Lancashire 🐾