Top 10 English Dog Walks

1. Brean Beach – Somerset

This idyllic beach side walk is perfect for a doggy companion, as dogs are welcome all year round. With three miles of beach, it holds some exciting sand dunes, which you can explore. You can then walk up Brean Down to get some extraordinary views of the nearby countryside and never-ending water. Take note, there are dog friendly campsites to make a weekend of it too!

 
2. Roddlesworth Reservoirs and Tockholes Plantation – Lancashire

The Tockholes Plantations surround the two Roddlesworth Reservoirs, making it one of the best dog walks in the area. The woods offer some great off lead walking, the paths are nice and defined and theres even a nice river for your dog to paddle in! So bring a towel! Your dog will love this exciting location, and there are many different routes that people have shared online to help you find the best walk. And the best part? There’s a pub at the start! 

3. Dibden Inclosure (New Forest) – Hampshire

This is a very popular walk for dog walkers all year round. It has some beautiful views of the forest, which can be seen best from the ridge which is at the top of the main path. Like may other popular spots, this walk has many forest areas with lots of lakes. Be warned! It’s quite swampy and dogs just love swimming in there! The majority of the walk is pathed, and as with all New Forest walks, picking up after your dog is encouraged, especially along pathways.

 
4. Parke, Bovey Tracey – Devon

Consisting of many meadows, woodlands and streams,  Parke walk is perfect for a summers day. The walk at Parke is around the grounds and woodlands of a grand country house, which is now the offices of the Dartmoor National Park. This is a lovely quiet walk that you can make as long or short as you want. In the meadows, there tends to be sheep around so make sure you keep your dog on a lead. But don’t worry, like many other pretty walks, there’s a dog friendly pub further along in Lustleigh! If your dog is a fan of the water you can walk through the woods following the river, which has lots of opportunities for dogs who love swimming!

5. Ashton Court Mansions & Gardens – Bristol

This next walk is pretty amazing. To find somewhere so full of countryside in such a busy city is really quite wonderful. With 850 acres of park (wow!) and woodland, it’s a popular walk but so big you can easily find your own space. There are paths all around the gardens, so it is easy to get around if you have kids or are disabled. Similarly, the facilities are great. There’s a lovely café on site with dog water bowls and parking for just £1! Cheap and cheerful. Like many other walking havens, the Estate is also a deer park. Even though they are fenced in, just be cautious when walking your dogs off lead.  

6. Pullingshill Wood, Walking the Trenches – Buckinghamshire

Whether you’re interested in history or not, this fantastic route takes you into Pullingshill Wood. This is home to the most complete set of WW1 training trenches in England. The mostly beech woodland is where troops practiced trench warfare before handling the real thing. It is quite magical to be able to walk through the endless amount of trees and to see the remainder of the training ground. With free parking and refreshments available, why not make a day out of it. If you are more interested about the trenches, you can find out more via the Archaeology in Marlow ROMADAM Project.  

7. Hinchingbrooke Country Park – Cambridgeshire

Open grasslands, meadows, woodlands and lakes cover 170 acres with a wealth of wildlife everywhere. Whether you are walking the dog, exploring with your children, enjoying tea and home made cakes in the cafe or having a picnic we are sure you will enjoy your visit. Dogs are very welcome around the Park but must be kept within sight and under control at all times. There are lots of paths, wooded areas, an open field and some lakes for doggie swimming.  Also, there is a children's play area, with swings, slides and more! Dogs must be kept on a lead within the Wildlife Area and they must be on a lead in the Visitors’ Centre. Everywhere else they are free to roam wild! As an added bonus, spare doggy mess bags can be obtained from the Rangers if you forget yours.

8. Sence Valley Park – Leicestershire

This sensational location is an ex-quarry, which has now been turned into a water park with several lakes of many sizes. There is a paved path that runs around most of the lakes, making it easier than ever to commute around the park. There are two car parks, just because one is never enough. At the top of the hill, you can get some exceptional views over the park and there are picnic areas around the park. Perfect for a warm Sunday afternoon! There are off lead areas all around, so time to stretch those legs, dogs!

9. Clifton Marina, Salford – Manchester
This is one of the most family orientated nature parks we have seen. With vast lakes and a river, it is perfect for lots of space for of lead opportunities. There is also an enormous grassed area for further leg stretches. There is a very large lake here, which is pretty but can be dangerous! If your dog is quite prone to going for a swim, we recommend you go to the other side of the park where there is no water. You can explore the woodland and lakeside walks, bring a picnic, go fishing or bird watching. The visitor centre holds information about the site and surrounding areas and provides toilet facilities for users!  

10. Hindehead Common / Devils Punchbowl – Surrey
Open the gate and step into a colourful mosaic of purple, greens and gold. All is quiet apart from the sounds of nature. Now that the Hindhead Tunnel is in place, Hindhead and Devils Punchbowl have been connected which provides a fantastic walk for all dog lovers. With Hindhead being a mass of heather, it gives some spectacular views, which looks amazing when in bloom. Devils Punchbowl also offers beautiful views, but with a bit more wooded area. There are so many different trails and routes on offer, all of which can be planned and started at the café. So get your camera and a lead, as it’s time for some unforgettable scenic views!