If you’re visiting London with your dog, you’ll surely want to discover the most scenic and canine-friendly walks around. There’s plenty on offer, so clip on their lead and head out to the best dog walking areas in London.
Alexandra Park
Alexandra Park is home to 196 acres of parkland, including both woodland and grassland, so you can explore with your dog whether they’re adventurous or timid. If you’re walking with a larger dog, they can enjoy plenty of space to run around. At the same time, smaller lap-dogs can potter alongside you through the ornamental gardens or boating lake.
There’s a convenient car park at Alexandra Park, so you can drive or take a taxi to save using public transport if you’re based far away.
Battersea Park
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is one of the best-known animal rescues in the UK. It sits conveniently beside beautiful Battersea Park. Volunteers from the charity regularly take rescue dogs to run and play, so keep an eye out while you’re there for a chance to say hello.
The park itself is beautiful, with a boating lake, a children’s zoo, and a dog-friendly café to stop off for a coffee. The 200 acres of parkland are an ideal place to take your pet for a stroll. There’s even a terrier statue to set the scene, placed in memoriam of dogs used in research experiments in the late 1800s.
Chiswick Gardens
Visit Chiswick House Gardens for some of the most beautiful dog-walking in London. The restored 18th-century green space inspired some of the most famous outdoor areas in the world, including New York’s Central Park, so what better place to enjoy some fresh air and exercise with your companion?
Dogs are welcome in most parts of Chiswick Gardens’ 65 acres, but some areas of the park, like the Walled Gardens, aren’t allowed. If your pet is a keen swimmer, let them off their lead on a summer’s day to enjoy a paddle in the dedicated part of the lake. Chiswick Gardens is ideal for picturesque and exciting dog walks in London.
Epping Forest
Epping Forest straddles the border between London and Essex and boasts an enormous 5,900 acres of charming ancient woodland. If you’re looking for somewhere to walk a large or energetic dog, this could be the place for you. There are more than 100 lakes and ponds dotted around the forest, and many signposted walking trails to help you find your way.
Rare plants, insects, and wildlife make their home inside Epping Forest, which boasts many significant habitats like wood-pasture, heathlands, and wetlands. Look for ten species of bats, 28 species of butterflies, and hundreds of insect species who only live on ancient trees, like those in this unique and enticing London greenspace.
Finsbury Park
Finsbury was one of the first great Victorian parks in London, and it remains popular among locals and visitors today. Head to Finsbury Park with your dog and enjoy its open space, formal gardens, lake, and shaded pathways. If you prefer to stick to a laid-out route, stroll along the Parkland Walk, which stretches just under five miles linking Finsbury Park to Highgate Woods.
Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath’s peak is around 100 metres high and is a perfect place to enjoy West and Central London views. Head to the 720-acre park with your dog at any time of day; you’re unlikely to be disappointed. There’s plenty of space for pets to run around, while the wildlife-rich park boasts lots of things for you to look out for along the way.
On hot London days, find the dedicated swimming pond for dogs and let them paddle in the cool water before drying off on the warm, well-kept grass. Meanwhile, more than 50 historical and archaeological monuments provide plenty of intrigue for the humans among you.
Several car parks serve Hampstead Heath, so there’s no need to worry about taking public transport with your dog. Simply bundle them into your car and head to the park in no time.
Hyde Park
The most famous of London’s Royal Parks, Hyde Park, is a haven for dogs and walkers alike, conveniently placed in Central London’s heart. Landmarks like the Serpentine Lake, Speakers’ Corner, and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain are worth a look if it’s your first time visiting. At the same time, perfectly-pruned gardens and lesser-trodden paths lie tucked away from the central area.
There are 350 acres of Hyde Park to explore, so there’s no chance you’ll run out of space even on busy days. If you find yourself in need of refreshment, head to one of the park’s cafés or bars, where four-legged guests are catered to with freshly-filled water bowls.
A perfect hotel for your next visit
Whether you’re new to London or a long-time veteran, it always serves well to have a favourite hotel. The Pullman London St Pancras is an ideal choice, set in the city’s heart with luxurious facilities and beautiful bedrooms. A stone’s throw from Euston and close to the most exclusive parts of the city, there’s plenty to do whether you’re visiting on business or for leisure.
Our elegant Pullman hotel can’t welcome dogs. Still, it’s a perfect choice for their owners visiting the greenest city in the UK.
