The 10 Best UK Dog Walks
Image Credit: Laula Co
If you have a dog you know that it is a part of the family - and that they need lots of walking to keep them fit and happy. Walking the dog makes a great day out for all the family, keeps the kids busy during school holidays as well as keeping the whole family fit too.
If you have grown a little bored of your usual dog-walking locations, here are 10 of the most fantastic ideas places to visit to get both you and your dog out of that rut.
These are all brilliant places for all the family to walk the dog. We’ve included easily accessible ‘off lead’ walks that may be interesting for those holidaying in Dog Friendly Britain.
The Top 10 Dog Walks in the UK
- Clumber Park, Worksop, Nottinghamshire
- Westonbirt Arboretum, Westonbirt, Gloucestershire
- Trellissick Garden, nr Truro, Cornwall
- The New Forest, Hampshire
- Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh.
- Rhossili Bay Beach, Swansea Bay.
- Thetford Forest, Norfolk
- Bamburgh Beach, Bamburgh, Northumberland.
- Hyde Park, London.
- Hampstead Heath, London.
Owned by the National Trust, there are 3,800 acres of green space to enjoy here. The estate has a very special link to dogs - the Clumber Spaniel breed was developed here when the estate was home to the Dukes of Newcastle.
The man-made lake offers a 4 mile, off lead, walk around its banks. Limetree Avenue, almost three miles long, and the Pleasure Grounds offer pretty good ‘on lead’ walks too!
Clumber also has a dog-friendly café called Central Bark.
Westonbirt is the National Arboretum, which means that it is home to 2,500 different types of tree and shrub from the far corners of the globe and 5 national tree collections.
More importantly for dog-lovers, the Arboretum actively encourages you to bring your four legged friends, with dog-friendly walking trails and cafes.
Dogs, and owners, can explore, off the lead, the sights and smells of Silk Wood, (which covers two thirds of the Arboretum), and the whole of The Downs area.
At certain times of the year, to maintain the sward, sheep and cattle may graze The Downs, so please keep dogs on a lead near livestock.
Trellissick is another National Trust property, which lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The mild Cornish climate means that many of the species are able to flourish including the rhododendrons and azaleas which are now such a feature of the garden, along with , camellias and flowering cherries, and exotics such as the ginkgo and various species of palm.
As Trellissick boasts some beautiful gardens, dogs on short leads are welcome there. Better still there is a large estate outside the garden which has miles of woodland walks and open countryside for you and your dog to enjoy on a long lead. Well behaved dogs, kept under effective control can enjoy the beach and woodland walks without a lead..
The New Forest is one of the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and forest in Southern England. It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest which includes heaths, mires, grassland and woodland as well as other habitats with notable species.
Due to its size the New Forest has many areas suitable for walking your dog, with dog-friendly pubs, cafés and stops.
Although this a name that everyone recognises it should be remembered that The New Forest is only one of dozens of forests available to dog walkers across England, Scotland & Wales.
A survey conducted for FCS (Forestry Commission Scotland) showed that dog walking - 50% - was the most popular activity undertaken in the forests!
An extinct volcano might not be the first place that everyone would immediately think of as a great dog walk, but Holyrood Park's dramatic hills and crags make it a magnet for walkers.
Dogs are very welcome as both humans and canines can enjoy the magnificent views over Edinburgh.
Rhossili Bay Beach spectacular three miles of sandy beach which is at the tip of the Gower Peninsular: Miles of beautiful beach with year round access for dogs.
With dog-friendly beaches, coastal paths and woodlands, there are several walking trails within the area, giving you an ideal way to see all the beautiful landscapes at Rhosili Bay. You might even see the grey seals sunning themselves on the rocks, or livestock on higher ground
It should be noted that access at Rhossili is via steps.
Thetford Forest is another fantastic forest, perfect for dog walking, which is situated on the border of Norfolk & Suffolk and managed by the Forestry Commission.
The UK’s largest manmade lowland forest. Thetford is a patchwork of pines, heathland and broadleaves which provide the ideal setting for a great day out, with a rich variety of animal and plant life.
A trip to the Suffolk, Norfolk or the Broads could be broken up with a dog walking stop here.
A large sandy beach, with sand dunes, make this a great place for dogs to play.
In the shadow of Bamburgh Castle - another dog-friendly location to visit - you can also enjoy views of Holy Island and the Farne Islands.
Many people may be surprised to know that their dog is as welcome in many of the Royal Parks of London as they themselves are.
A historic Grade I-listed urban park in the heart of London, dogs are welcome in Hyde Park, as they are in all the Royal Parks. There are a number of areas where dogs are not allowed such as the Diana Memorial and the Lido, or must be kept on leads - look out for notices.
However the park is a huge area of green where Londoners and London canines alike can stretch their legs and get some fresh air.
Just four miles from Trafalgar Square, Hampstead Heath provides almost 800 acres of varied landscape including woodland, meadow and heathland.
Running from Hampstead to Highgate and one of London's highest points, the Heath has a dog swimming pond and miles of woodland paths to walk. Notice boards around the heath give seasonal advice about different ways in which you can be a Nature-Friendly Dog Walker.
Good Doggy!
Where ever you decide to walk your dog please keep your dogs under control at all times - any dog who’s obedience cannot be guaranteed should be kept a lead in public spaces.
Please also:
- Respect any no dogs and dogs must be kept on a lead areas
- Pay attention to and observe, the signs to protect wildlife
- Always clean up after your dog
- Remember, if there are no bins available, take your rubbish home!
Thanks to Dog Friendly Britain for compiling this list for us.