Quick answer
Beverley Westwood is about 600 acres of common pasture on the edge of Beverley, with views of Beverley Minster. Burton Bushes, part of the Westwood, has woodland to walk through. The Pasture Masters’ pages list no entry charge and no opening hours. It is open grassland, so it is not a rainy day pick. Cattle and sheep may graze here until the grazing season closes in December. Keep dogs on leads near the animals and shut gates behind you.
Is it right for my child?
- Big open space: the Pasture Masters describe the Westwood as an open space for the community and visitors to enjoy, used for leisure throughout the year.
- Views: they say magnificent views of Beverley Minster can be found here.
- Woodland walk: Burton Bushes is part of the Westwood. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with woodland to walk through.
- Animal spotting: the pastures are primarily for grazing animals. The grazing page says the Westwood takes sheep and cattle.
- Running: parkrun holds a free 5km event on the Westwood every Saturday at 9am. You can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.
- Honest notes: there is a golf course and a racecourse on the Westwood, and motorists drive across the pastures. The official pages do not mention a playground.
- Golf course: the byelaws say only people authorised by the golf club may play golf there. Others must not remain on the greens, tees or bunkers.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Expect livestock during the grazing season. The Pasture Masters graze animals on the pastures from April to December. Our advice: keep children back from the animals.
- Keep dogs on leads near livestock. The Pasture Masters’ April 2026 notice asked owners to keep dogs on leads. The byelaws say dogs must not worry, chase or disturb grazing animals.
- Dog health alert: the updates page warns of suet or fat ball type pellets reported in the Westwood Road, Hill Sixty area. If eaten by dogs, they can cause severe diarrhoea and other complications.
- Shut every gate behind you, so no animals escape. The byelaws also ban fastening entrance gates open.
- No barbecues or fires. The Pasture Masters say barbecues and bonfires are not permitted on any of the Beverley Pastures.
- Leave the bikes at home. The Pasture Masters do not permit cycling on the Westwood.
- Park for 4 hours at most, with no return within 24 hours, under the byelaws.
- Take litter and dog poo home, or use the bins provided on the pastures.
Prices and tickets
The Pasture Masters’ pages list no entry charge or tickets for walking on the Westwood. The byelaws refer to the established rights of the public to resort to the pastures for recreation and enjoyment.
The weekly parkrun is described by the Pasture Masters as free.
The golf course and racecourse on the Westwood have their own websites, which the Pasture Masters point to for event details.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
The Pasture Masters’ pages do not describe paths or surfaces for pushchairs. The byelaws name the Cinder Footpath as a metalled footpath on Westwood, running from Sterne’s Corner on York Road to Westwood Road. They ban riding or exercising horses, and driving horse-drawn carts or similar, on it.
Elsewhere, expect grazed grassland, plus woodland to walk through in Burton Bushes. The official pages do not include a route map.
The official pages do not mention toilets or baby changing on the Westwood. Plan a stop in Beverley town before or after your walk.
Food and drink
The official pages do not mention a café on the Westwood.
The Pasture Masters name a resident ice cream van, Abbyos Ice Cream, on Newbald Road. They say it is found there most days in the spring and summer months. The official pages do not say whether it trades in winter.
The Pasture Masters ask you to enjoy your picnics litter free. Take litter home or use the bins provided on the pastures. Remember that barbecues are not permitted.
Getting there and parking
The Westwood sits on the edge of Beverley, with York Road, Walkington Road, Westwood Road and Newbald Road all named by the Pasture Masters. The Pasture Masters’ pages give no postcode for the Westwood, so set your satnav to the road you plan to use.
- Parking: the byelaws limit parking on any part of the pastures to 4 hours in any 24 hours. No return is allowed within that period.
- York Road: the updates page says recent wooden posts on York Road prevent all day parking near Seven Corners Lane.
- Longer stays: the Pasture Masters encourage shoppers and workers to use the town centre car parks instead.
- Driving across: the Pasture Masters ask motorists to observe speed limits across the pastures and allow for crossing animals.
- Off the roads: the updates page says a strict no motor vehicles rule applies to the commons without authorisation. The byelaws exempt qualifying invalid carriages and mobility vehicles.
The official pages do not give bus or train details for reaching the Westwood.
When to visit
The Pasture Masters’ pages do not give opening hours, and they do not mention Christmas or New Year arrangements.
Grazing season: animals graze the pastures from April to December. The byelaws say the Pasture Masters set the exact closing date in December. Their pages did not give the 2026 closing date on 13 November 2026, so livestock may be on the pastures until that date.
Racecourse dates: on 13 November 2026, the racecourse’s own website listed no race days before its Season Opener on 14 April 2027. It did list Christmas events at the racecourse on 28 November and on several December dates.
The Pasture Masters do not suggest a visit length.
Additional needs and disability support
The Pasture Masters publish very little access information for the Westwood.
- Mobility vehicles: the byelaws ban motor vehicles where there is no right of way for vehicles. They exempt wheelchairs and mobility vehicles that qualify as invalid carriages under the regulations.
- Metalled path: the byelaws name the Cinder Footpath, from Sterne’s Corner on York Road to Westwood Road, as a metalled footpath.
- Not mentioned: the official pages do not mention accessible toilets, a Changing Places toilet, an access guide, accessible routes, disabled parking bays or sensory information.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beverley Westwood free?
The Pasture Masters’ pages list no entry charge for walking on the Westwood. Parking on the pastures is limited to 4 hours in any 24 hours, with no return within that period.
Are there cows on Beverley Westwood?
Yes, in the grazing season. The Pasture Masters graze animals on the pastures from April to December, and the Westwood takes sheep and cattle. Give cattle space and keep dogs on leads near them.
Can you take dogs to Beverley Westwood?
The Pasture Masters’ rules are written for dog owners using the pastures. Their April 2026 notice on the animals’ arrival asked owners to keep dogs on leads and not worry the animals. Dogs must be under control at all times, especially near livestock.
Can children ride bikes on Beverley Westwood?
No. The Pasture Masters do not permit cycling on the Westwood. The byelaws allow cycling only on the public highway, and the updates page applies the rule without authorisation.
Are there toilets on Beverley Westwood?
The official pages do not mention toilets or baby changing on the Westwood. Plan a stop in Beverley town before or after your walk.
Is there racing on Beverley Westwood in December?
On 13 November 2026, the racecourse’s website listed no race days before 14 April 2027. It did list Christmas events at the racecourse in late November and December.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Beverley Pasture Masters pages for the home page, Pastures of Beverley, grazing animals, updates, Respecting The Pastures, no bonfires or barbecues and the byelaws, plus the Beverley Racecourse events list. Rules and dates can change, so check before you travel.
