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Living near Heathrow doesn't mean sacrificing green space. Some of Surrey's best walks are minutes from the airport, and you can finish any of them with a pint at a dog-friendly pub.
We've put together four of our favourite walks, all within easy reach of Stanwell Moor, and all ending somewhere you can get a proper pint afterwards.
Walk 1: Staines Moor & King George VI Reservoir
Distance: 3–5 miles (circular) | Difficulty: Easy, flat | Time: 1.5–2.5 hours
This is the local classic. Start from the end of Stanwell Moor Road, where a footpath takes you out onto Staines Moor, a Site of Special Scientific Interest that feels a world away from the airport, even though you can still hear the planes.
The moor is flat and open, manageable for all fitness levels. Head south-west across the grassland toward the River Colne, then loop around to pick up the path along the King George VI Reservoir. The reservoir path is surfaced and level, good for pushchairs too, if you're doing the family-and-dog combo.
What to expect: Herons, kingfishers if you're lucky, and a surprising amount of wildflower meadow in summer. In winter, expect mud, proper mud, the kind that swallows wellies. Bring boots between November and March.
Dogs: Cattle graze the moor at times. Check the signs on the day and follow them, as the rules about leads can change.
Post-walk pub: The Anchor is about a 30-minute walk from Staines Moor, one way. Dogs are welcome throughout the pub, on a lead.
Walk 2: Colnbrook & the Colne Valley
Distance: 2–3 miles (out and back) | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 1–1.5 hours
A quieter option that suits dogs who aren't keen on crowds. Start in Colnbrook village and follow the Colne Brook southward toward Poyle. The route mixes footpaths with quiet country lanes, passing through a stretch of the Colne Valley that most people drive past without noticing.
What to expect: The Colne Brook is pretty in all seasons. You'll pass under the M25 at one point, which is less scenic, but the stretch beyond opens up into proper countryside. Not many other walkers, which is the whole point.
Dogs: On a lead along the lanes. Good for nervous or reactive dogs because you won't meet many others.
Post-walk pub: The Anchor is a short drive from Colnbrook. We're on Horton Road in Stanwell Moor.
Walk 3: Bedfont Lakes Country Park
Distance: 2 miles (loop) | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 45 mins–1 hour
Bedfont Lakes is a managed country park with two lakes, meadowland, and strips of young woodland. It's the most structured walk on this list, proper paths and signposted routes, which makes it ideal if you want something straightforward.
The main loop takes you around both lakes and through the meadow areas. It's flat, well-maintained, and busy enough that your dog will get plenty of socialising.
What to expect: Waterfowl on the lakes, wildflowers in the meadows from May onward, and dragonflies in summer. The paths are surfaced, so it stays clean even in wet weather.
Dogs: Follow the park's signs about leads, and keep dogs away from the nesting areas in spring.
Post-walk pub: The Anchor is a short drive away. The postcode for your satnav is TW19 6AQ.
Walk 4: Stanwell to Ashford via the Footpaths
Distance: 3 miles (one way) | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Time: 1–1.5 hours
This one's a bit different, a point-to-point walk connecting Stanwell village to Ashford using the network of public footpaths that most people have forgotten exist. It's a mix of residential edges, playing fields, and genuine green stretches, and it works well as a morning walk before a pub lunch.
Start at St Mary's Church in Stanwell and head south-east. The footpaths are signposted but not always obvious, so it helps to have the OS Maps app on your phone. You'll cross the Staines Road and pick up another path through to Ashford. From there, you'll need a lift or a taxi back to Stanwell Moor.
What to expect: Some of the paths run alongside allotments and back gardens, which is oddly charming. The green sections between the villages are surprisingly peaceful.
Dogs: On a lead through the residential stretches. Watch for cyclists on some of the shared paths.
Post-walk pub: The Anchor is a short drive from Stanwell.
The Anchor: Your Post-Walk Pub
Every walk on this list ends the same way, at The Anchor in Stanwell Moor.
Dogs are welcome throughout the pub, on a lead. We'll have water bowls and biscuits waiting.
What dog owners need to know:
- Dogs welcome throughout, on a lead, inside the pub and in the beer garden.
- Water bowls and biscuits. Just ask at the bar if you can't see a bowl.
- Beer garden, with planes from Heathrow passing overhead. Dogs seem to enjoy watching them as much as the kids do.
- Free parking, 20 spaces. Handy if you've driven to a walk and are stopping in on the way home.
- Food served during kitchen hours, proper pub grub, cooked fresh. The dishes and prices are on the food menu, and the dog can sit with you while you eat.
We're on Horton Road, Stanwell Moor, TW19 6AQ, seven minutes from Heathrow Terminal 5. Call us on 01753 682707 or book a table online.
Other Pubs in the Area
We're not the only pub near these walks. Here are a few others:
- The Wheatsheaf, Staines
- The Swan, Staines
- The George, Colnbrook
We can't speak for their dog rules, so ask each pub before you set off. We'd love to see you at ours first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed in The Anchor?
Yes. Dogs are welcome throughout the pub, on a lead. We'll have water bowls and biscuits waiting. That includes the beer garden, and there's no size limit.
Where can I walk my dog near Heathrow?
Staines Moor is the best option, it's a large, open nature reserve with footpaths and river walks. Bedfont Lakes Country Park and the Colne Valley footpaths are also excellent. All four walks in this guide are a short drive from Heathrow.
Is Staines Moor good for dogs?
Very good. It's flat, open, and has miles of footpaths. Cattle graze the moor at times, so check the signs on the day for the rules about leads. There's plenty of space. It can get muddy in winter, so boots are essential between November and March.
Can I bring my dog into the beer garden?
Yes. Dogs are welcome in the beer garden, on a lead, just as they are inside. Ask at the bar for a water bowl. It's a popular spot with dog walkers, especially after a morning on Staines Moor.
The Anchor Horton Road, Stanwell Moor, Surrey TW19 6AQ
Call us: 01753 682707
Life's better with a dog and a decent pub. We've got the pub covered, you bring the dog.