DOG WALKS NEAR ME: BEST UK DOG WALKING AREAS FOR LOCKDOWN – ARE YOU NEAR ONE?

Dog walks bring joy to numerous Britons and never has there been a better time to spend oodles of quality time with your pooch than during a lockdown.

Walking in a beauty spot is great for raising spirits, but not everywhere is dog friendly. Dog website tails.com has rounded up some of the best dog walking areas in the country to make the most of in the coming weeks.

ENGLAND

Whitsand Bay, Cornwall

The beaches of Whitsand Bay offer over three miles of sand from Rame Head to Portwrinkle.

According to Visit Cornwall, they are considered one of Cornwall’s hidden gems.

Low tide is an ideal time to stride out on a walk with your pooch thanks to the long stretch of sand.

The spot is popular with surfers and rockpool-hunters and a popular dive site, home to HMS Scylla, is out to sea. The ex-naval frigate was sunk in 2004 to form an artificial reef.

Doone Valley Circuit, North Devon

This Exmoor valley – perhaps familiar to literature lovers as the setting for RD Blackmore’s novel Lorna Doone – offers a stunning five and a half-mile walk.

A bit more challenging at times, it spans grassy moors, a picturesque valley and a meandering river.

On the edge of the valley sits the strange but beautiful Doone Village. Traces of stone walls here are thought to date back to the twelfth century and today are some of the most preserved of this type in all of the South West.

Black Park, Slough

Black Park covers 500 acres of woodland in South Buckinghamshire.

It’s a well-known filming location, with a great many blockbusters being shot in the park, from James Bond and Harry Potter to Captain America and Star Wars.

With wide footpaths and a large lake, Black Park is a great place to take dogs that love exploring on off-lead walks.

According to tails.com, the location has grown in popularity over the last few weeks, with many dog owners searching for ‘black park’ so they can explore the woodlands with their pet, whilst also getting a sneak peek at any productions that may be taking place.

Epping Forest, London

London residents can sometimes find it hard to find a quiet place to go walking with their dog but Epping Forest in London is the perfect place.

Located just outside of the city, the forest covers an enormous 6,000 acres of woodland.

Exploring the ancient Copped Hall Mansion makes for a great five-mile scenic walk.

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire

Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire is a dog-friendly National Trust property rich with history.

A wide expanse of parkland, farmland and woods covers over 3,800-acres, it was once the seat of the Dukes of Newcastle, although the mansion was demolished in 1938.

The serpentine lake, complete with a balustraded bridge and delightful Doric Temple, is a highlight. A stroll along the shore offers spectacular views.

Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire

The gorgeous coast of Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire is a good option for those further north.

As an old fishing village, the bay offers plenty of dog-friendly places, complete with stunning views from the top of the village, a three-mile walk across the sandy beaches, and soaring cliffs that look out to sea.

One option is to walk along the ‘cinder track’ – the disused Scarbrough line – while another is to enjoy the seven-mile walk over to Whitby along the cliffs.

Derwent Water, Lake District

Those in the Lake District are spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful locations you can visit with a dog.

National Park Derwent Water is one of the best locations in the Lake District if you love beautiful scenery.

Starting in the small town of Keswick and stretching around Derwent Water, this eight-mile walk is a long easy stroll for you and your dog so you can really take the time to take in the wildlife around you.

With many shallow-water edges, this walk is great for those dogs that love a bit of a paddle at any time of year.

Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland

For fit walkers, it can take up to a week to walk the entire length of 84-Mile Hadrian’s Wall.

However, there are plenty of shorter walks around the area. For instance, there’s the five-mile stroll that starts at Roman Fort, Homesteads and takes you right past Sycamore Gap that was famously used as a filming location for the hit film, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.

Set among the gorgeous Northumbrian landscapes Hadrian’s Wall is still impressive today, capturing the importance of the Roman Empire.

WALES

Three Cliffs Bay, Wales

One of the best beaches ones to visit with your dog in Wales is Three Cliffs Bay.

With a beautiful shoreline of sand dunes, salt marshes, and beaches, the Bay is perfect for your canine pal all year round.

Visitors will be rewarded with some spectacular views across Wales – just be sure to visit at low tide and to pack some waterproof shoes.

SCOTLAND

Castle Fraser, Aberdeenshire

Castle Fraser in Aberdeenshire, Scotland dates back to the 1450s and is a Scotland National Trust property

It was home to the Fraser family for over 400 years and the castle is filled with family portraits and mementoes that each tell a story.

The park around the stately home is filled with wildlife and big open spaces, ideal for your dog to run around and explore while you soak up the history.