Day Trips With Dogs London – It must be said that we Londoners are very careful with our wallets. After all, it’s a city with the world’s friendliest transportation network and dog-friendly amenities, theaters, bars and restaurants – you name it and we’ve got it. So we might even have a nice cute dog walking around. Here’s a round-up of the 18 best dog walks in London and the best dog parks in London:
Green Highgate Woods offers you a little escape to the countryside without ever leaving the city. It’s 28 hectares of ancient woodland that borders East Finchley and – yes, you guessed it – Highgate, and in spring it blooms with beautiful purple flowers thanks to the bluebells that can be seen here. As if that wasn’t enough, there are some good hiking options, as well as plenty of creature and animal refuges.
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Staying with the forest theme here, but this time in a well-spread area in Essex, Epping Forest is a vast area offering over 1,500 acres of forests, lakes, rivers, small bridges and the beauty of many historic sites. It’s the largest open space in London and is therefore an absolute dream for dogs. There are nine marked trails – of varying lengths – which offer plenty of possibilities for you and your four-legged friend.
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The famous Regent’s Canal, completed in 1820, links Paddington and Limehouse and runs through leafy Little Venice, Camden and past Victoria Park and Mile End. A promenade runs along the canal, leading you to many hidden gems along the way, including dog-friendly restaurants and bars. We do, however, recommend keeping your dog on the trail if he wants to chase birds – there are also plenty of swans, ducks and geese on the path.
This next addition definitely deserves its place in London’s best dog collection. A long walk of almost 16 miles takes you from Limehouse Basin along the River Lea to Waltham Cross – Adele, anyone? – Pass Hackney Marshes, Waltham Abbey, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and more. We don’t recommend going all out – unless you want to, of course – but the area around the wetlands is ideal for your four-legged friend.
There’s plenty of space to run around, but you can finish with a pint at Lord Napier and Star in Hackney Wick when – what’s better than that, eh?
It has to be said that this dog walk in London is this writer’s favorite – but as it’s my city, I may be slightly biased. Either way, it’s a great place to let your dog run free, provided they’re properly trained for the *ahem* streets and streets of South East London. Otherwise, it’s best to keep them on the way here. Head to Elverson Road or Blackheath Station and take a long walk around Blackheath taking in the views of Canary Wharf and the city’s skyscrapers.
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Next, drive through UNESCO-listed Greenwich Park, where several trails lead you to an observatory, a deer park, and even a small boating lake. Stop at the Trafalgar Tavern on the beach near the National Maritime Museum, where you can enjoy views of the River Thames. There are also plenty of dog-friendly places nearby – win!
Topping the list of the best dog walks in London is the famous Parkland Walk – a five-mile stretch that takes you along an old abandoned railway line from Finsbury Park to Highgate.
As London’s longest nature reserve, you’ll have the chance to spot wildlife along the way. You’ll also pass abandoned platforms, graffiti-covered walls and Cornish sprite sculptures on the corner of Crouch End. Perfect for hiking dogs, you can extend the route by adding a loop of Finsbury Park or visiting the scenic Alley Pally Beer Garden.
Here’s another long one, this time taking you along the beautiful Thames Path from Hampton Court to Kew. You’ll start by passing Hampton Court Palace, the former residence of King Henry VIII and home to gardens, concerts and (possibly) spooks and ghosts. Head up the river from Kingston and past Eel Pie Island – where the Rolling Stones once played – then you’ll find yourself in Twickenham.
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Look across the river and you’ll see Ham House, a 17th-century building now owned by the National Trust. Pass Richmond and you will arrive at Kew, home to the Royal Botanic Gardens. You can buy tickets here.
The latest addition to this list of the best dogs in London is one that takes you through Oxleys Wood to the only “dog-friendly” house in the entire city. You start at Sevendrog Castle – a small gothic place with a cozy tea room on the ground floor, and even ice cream treats and dogs for sale! Once you’ve had your cake and coffee to refuel, head towards nearby Jack Wood until you join the Green Chain Walk.
This will take you to Oxley’s Wood and its accompanying meadows, one of the few remaining areas of ancient woodland in London. Some of the trees found here are over 8,000 years old and date back to the last ice age. Yeast!
OK, so technically it’s not a London dog walk, but you can access it via the Met line, so…and what a place for this wallet, nestled in the beautiful Chiltern AONB. Ten miles long, it takes you from Rickmansworth to Chesham along the peaceful River Chase, offering beautiful scenery along the way. The beach here is shallow and shallow, perfect for your dog if the sun is shining and they are looking for a quiet spot!
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Rounding out this section of the best dog parks in London, we have Victoria Park – or ‘Vicky Park’ as it is affectionately known – a large area considered to be the most picturesque in East London. It is the oldest park in the city and its two sides cross Grove Road. The east half is perfect for dogs, as they have enough space to run freely and throw a ball, frisbee or (enter here). After walking the puppies, visit the Pavilion Café for a beer and pastries – they are very good.
As the name suggests, Peckham is home to a triangle-shaped green space, which is undoubtedly one of the best things to do when you’re in this part of the town. There are 113 acres of open meadows, woodland, ponds and gardens for you to enjoy and spread out in east Dulwich. Unfortunately, the Arboretum is a no-dog zone, but the beautiful Japanese Gardens and Zoo are not, and there are plenty of other ways to get there. Southwark Council provides a handy trail map that you can explore on their website.
Now, when it comes to dog parks, you really can’t beat Richmond. Designed as King Charles I’s deer park – keep that in mind when walking your pup – it’s full of open meadows and woodland trails that are attractive all year round. At 2,500 acres, it is huge and holds the title of London’s second largest park. Don’t miss the opportunity to stroll through the beautiful Isabella Flower Garden, where you will find beautiful flower gardens, streams, hidden paths and meadows.
Another feature of south-east London, Crystal Palace Park is considered a true “Jurassic Park” because 30 dinosaur statues are hidden in the greenery. OK, so these aren’t the best photos – they were taken over 160 years ago – but finding them makes dog walking fun. As well as this, the dog walking park is also home to the largest maze in the country as well as a paddling pool and community farm.
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Owned by the National Trust, this next addition to our collection of the best dog parks in London is a real highlight. Located on the south end of the North Line, this 125-acre park is perfect for you and your pup to explore. They’re welcome in all parts of the country – although some places require you to drive them – and there’s everything from wildlife viewing to boating, dive shops, open lawns and friendly cafes.
Yes, you read that right – these two
