Here at Millets we've gathered a list of the top dog-friendly walks spread across Great Britain, guaranteed to make for a perfect family day out. With the help of Ordnance Survey, we have created a directory of five walking routes per region, totalling over 50 of the best walks located within England, Scotland and Wales.
Below we’ve provided a map of routes for some of the UK's best dog walks near you, so there’s no need to worry about getting lost during your next adventure. You’ll also discover details of how long the walk may take, the distance you’ll be covering and for some, useful info on where to park up if you travel by car.
Before you head out, make sure you’ve got some sturdy footwear with Millets' selection of Men’s, Women’s and Kids’ walking boots and just in case it rains check out our waterproof jackets for Men, Women and Kids’.
Please note: some of the routes featured may contain gates and livestock that may be an issue for some dogs. Use a lead and act responsibly.
Dog Walks in England
Walks in North East, North West, Yorkshire & The Humber, West Midlands, East Midlands, South West, East of England, South East and Greater London.
Dog Walks in North East England
Image from Google Maps and Stephen Hayes (Deja Vu Photography)
Durham Riverside and Woods
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 7.2km
Average Time: 1 hour 49 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 308 Durham & Sunderland
The Durham Riverside and Woods walk passes through stunning woodland scenery overlooking the River Wear. Enjoy the classic views of the towers and walls of the famous Durham Cathedral and Castle. Built in 1072, Durham Castle is recognised as a masterpiece of Norman Architecture. Taking under two hours, this walk is ideal for a pleasant afternoon out for you and the family.
Hareshaw Linn Walk
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 4.6km
Average Time: 1 hour 13 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer OL43 Hadrian's Wall
Swallowship Woods, Northumberland
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 4.4km
Average Time: 1 hour 3 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer OL43 Hadrian's Wall
Longacre Woods, Tyne & Wear
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 6.4km
Average Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 316 Newcastle upon Tyne
Old Durham, County Durham
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 15.6km
Average Time: 3 hours 33 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 308 Durham & Sunderland
Dog Walks in North West England
Image from Google Maps and Daniel King
Count the Stones at Swinside
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 10km
Average Time: 2 hours 34 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 96 Barrow-in-Furness & South Lakeland
Swinside is located in one of the quietest corners of the Lake District. The walk stretches almost all the way from a tidal estuary to the flanks of the high fells, taking in old coppice woodlands and pastures where sheep and cattle are grazed. The historic Swinside Stone Circle sits in a quiet hollow in the hills high above the estuary of the River Duddon. It is a late neolithic or early Bronze Age structure with closely packed together stones, ideal to take your next Christmas card photo. This route is a longer dog walk so make sure you bring plenty of water and supplies.
Leck Beck and Ease Gill Kirk
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 10km
Average Time: 2 hours 33 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer OL2 Yorkshire Dales - Southern & Western Areas
Down to The Summit On Clougha Pike
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 8.3km
Average Time: 2 hours 23 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer OL41 Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale
The Paths to Wigan Pier
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 9.7km
Average Time: 2 hours 11 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 109 Manchester, Bolton & Warrington
Wizardly Wanderings at Alderly Edge
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 5km
Average Time: 1 hour 18 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 109 Manchester, Bolton & Warrington
Dog Walks in Yorkshire & The Humber
Image from Google Maps and Nigel Rusby
Osmotherley, North Yorkshire
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 8.6km
Average Time: 1 hour 51 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer OL26 North York Moors - Western Area
Osmotherley is known for its beautiful villages and vintage old stone cottages. Head onto the moors above the scenic Oak Dale before passing through the stunning views across the plains of Mowbray and Cleveland, and heading further into the Pennines. On-street parking is available prior to starting the walk by the village square in Osmotherley, making this an easily accessible dog-friendly day out in North Yorkshire.
Glorious Castle Howard
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 6.9km
Average Time: 1 hour 47 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 100 Malton & Pickering, Helmsley & Easingwold
A Walk On the Wolds
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 6.3km
Average Time: 1 hour 31 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 100 Malton & Pickering, Helmsley & Easingwold
The Brontes at Thorpe Underwood
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 6.8km
Average Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 100 Malton & Pickering, Helmsley & Easingwold
Romote Cockayne and Ruddland Rigg
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 7.9km
Average Time: 2 hours 2 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer OL26 North York Moors - Western Area
Dog Walks in West Midlands
Image from Google Maps and Hannah Lights
A Longer Walk in Kingsford Forest Park
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 11.1km
Average Time: 2 hours 36 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 139 Birmingham & Wolverhampton
Kingsford Forest Park is an idyllic place for a dog walk in Worcestershire, England. It has since adjoined Kinver Edge, a National Trust property in Staffordshire to which it was connected by multiple paths. The park features 200 acres of pine forests, open heathland, sandy tracks and a broadleaved wood all waiting to be explored. Kingsford forest is a quiet park making it the ideal place for taking a dog walk.
Cannock Chase
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 12.0km
Average Time: 2 hours 42 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 128 Derby & Burton upon Trent
Breathing Space in The Clent Hills
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 5.7km
Average Time: 1 hour 34 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 139 Birmingham & Wolverhampton
Chilled Orange Juice at Hanbury Hall
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 8.3km
Average Time: 1 hour 53 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 150 Worcester & The Malverns, Evesham & Tewkesbury
Highley and Upper Arley, Shropshire/Worcs
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 11.1km
Average Time: 2 hours 26 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 138 Kidderminster & Wyre Forest
Dog Walks in East Midlands
Image from Google Maps and Waldemar Figlewicz
Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 8.4km
Average Time: 1 hour 49 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 270 Sherwood Forest
Located in Nottinghamshire, the atmospheric Sherwood Forest is one of England's Royal Forests and a fantastic place to walk dogs. Once covering around 100,000 acres in the days when Robin Hood was reputed to live there, today the Forest Park is a much smaller 450 acres. Even so, there are plenty of tracks and hidden paths for your four-legged friends to explore along this route. Steeped in history and oozing charm, Sherwood Forest makes for a thoroughly enjoyable dog walk in the East Midlands.
Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 5.7km
Average Time: 1 hour 13 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 120 Mansfield & Worksop, Sherwood Forest
Bradgate Park Leicestershire
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 5.7km
Average Time: 1 hour 13 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 129 Nottingham & Loughborough, Melton Mowbray
Rutland Water
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 5.8km
Average Time: 1 hour 24 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 247 Grantham
Coombe Country Park
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 10.9km
Average Time: 2 hours 18 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 140 Leicester, Coventry & Rugby
Dog Walks in South West England
Walk submitted by OS Get Outside Champion Phillipa Cherryson
Spearywell/Mottisfont Walk
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 10.9km
Average Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Parking: SO51 0LS
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 184 Salisbury & The Plain, Amesbury
Spearywell/Mottisfont walk is a picture-perfect country dog walk that goes through woodland, farmland, water meadows, quiet lanes, tracks and alongside hedgerows. It follows rights of way and National Trust permissive paths and is stile free, making it an excellent dog-friendly walk. Please note, there is a field along this route which is often grazed by sheep so keep dogs on a lead when walking through.
Horner Woods, Somerset
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 8km
Average Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer OL9 Exmoor Map
Ham Hill & Montacute, Somerset
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 8km
Average Time: 2 hours 4 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 193 Taunton & Lyme Regis, Chard & Bridport
Plym Woods
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 6.8km
Average Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer OL28 Dartmoor
A Walk Through the Bishops Wood
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 5.45km
Average Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 109 Bodmin Moor
Dog Walks in East Of England
Walk submitted by OS Get Outside Champion Charlotte Ditchburn
Thetford Forest, Suffolk
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 11.4km
Average Time: 2 hours 24 minutes
Parking: IP27 0AF
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 229 Thetford Forest in the Brecks
A tranquil walk through lowland pine forest following historic drove routes along stone tracks to Warren Lodge, a fort built to protect gamekeepers from poachers in the 1400’s. Along this dog walk in the forest make sure to look out for goshawks, deer and butterflies. It is recommended to start and finish the walk through the forest at High Lodge as it has accessible toilets, play and picnic areas ideal for all the family.
Around The Mysterious Horsey Mere
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 5.9km
Average Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer OL40 The Broads Map
Great Eastern Pingo Trail
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 8.8km
Average Time: 1 hour 47 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 144 Thetford & Diss, Breckland & Wymondham
Santon Downham, Suffolk
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 8.2km
Average Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 144 Thetford & Diss, Breckland & Wymondham
Constable Country Walk
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 8.8km
Average Time: 2 hours 2 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 155 Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury & Stowmarket
Dog Walks in South East England
Walk submitted by OS Get Outside Champion Manse Ahmad
White Horse Hill and Waylands Smithy Circular Walk
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 10.9km
Average Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 170 Abingdon, Wantage & Vale of White Horse
A picturesque walk along the Oxfordshire Ridgeway taking in the historic White Horse Hill and the neolithic barrow of Waylands Smithy. The walk can be a little taxing at times, but plenty of well-established chalky paths make it a lovely leisurely dog route overall.
Haslemere Surrey
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 10.9km
Average Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 197 Chichester & The South Downs
Woolbeding Common West Sussex
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 7.6km
Average Time: 1 hour 51 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 197 Chichester & The South Downs
Brightling East Sussex
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 6.6km
Average Time: 1 hour 34 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 188 Maidstone & Royal Tunbridge Wells
Amberly Station, West Sussex
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 8.2km
Average Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 197 Chichester & The South Downs
Dog Walks in Greater London
Image from Google Maps and Ronnie McDowall
Secrets of The Natural Wimbledon Common
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 4.6km
Average Time: 1 hour
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 161 London South
Those that are unfamiliar with this area of London may be surprised to discover that 495 acres of Wimbledon Common comprises of thick woodland, with the rest made up of heath and grassland. While heathland in other areas has fallen prey to developments such as supermarkets and airports, Wimbledon Common's status as a candidate for a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) has ensured its protection. At a safe distance from busy roads, Wimbledon Common is the perfect place to take your dog for a walk in London.
Brent River Park
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 5.83km
Average Time: 1 hour 14 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 161 London South
Daylight Saving in Chislehurst
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 5.4km
Average Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 161 London South
Grace and Favour in Norwood
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 3.6km
Average Time: 46 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 147 Sevenoaks & Tonbridge
Downe & Biggin Hill, Greater London
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 7.69km
Average Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 146 Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate
Dog Walks in Scotland
Image from Google Maps and Barrie Bird
A Beefy Devil of a Walk in Moffat
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 7.3km
Average Time: 2 hours 6 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 78 Nithsdale & Annandale, Sanquhar & Moffat
This scenic route takes you along a path beside the river Annan out of Moffat and takes a moderately steep climb onto the moorland hills. Cross the hills to Annandale Head before heading back to Moffat. In the past, this deep, natural bowl was used as a hiding place by thieves and even formed a refuge for the persecuted. Take your ideal dog-friendly route and combine with historical exploration for an informative and enjoyable day out.
Beinn Bhuidhe Bheag Circular Walk
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9.9km
Average Time: 2 hours 37 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 416 Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden
A Trial Through the Sallochy Woods
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 3.5km
Average Time: 52 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 56 Loch Lomond & Inveraray
Soonhope Glen, Borders
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 8km
Average Time: 1 hour 52 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer 337 Peebles & Interleithen
Kilsyth and The Forth and Clyde Canal
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 6.0km
Average Time: 1 hour 24 mins
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 64 Glasgow, Motherwell & Airdrie
Dog Walks in Wales
Walk submitted by OS Get Outside Champion Tracy Purnell
Fan Frynych Brecon Beacons
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 7.4km
Average Time: 2 hours
Parking: LD3 8NW
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer OL12 Brecon Beacons National Park - Western & Central Areas
A beautiful circular walk within the Fforest Fawr area of Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales. Take a gradual climb to the outstanding views of Fan Frynych, the northernmost peak of Fforest Fawr. Reach the Welsh dragon trig point where the northern face of Craig Cerrig-gleisiad can be viewed and stroll along a part of history on the Roman road. A quiet and tranquil area with lots of open land makes Fan Frynych a great place to walk your dog.
Gold in The Kings Forest
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 6.8km
Average Time: 1 hour 21 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Explorer OL18 Harlech, Porthmadog & Bala
Dinas Head
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 4.5km
Average Time: 1 hour 17 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 157 St David's & Haverfordwest
Porthgain and Abereiddi
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 5.8km
Average Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 157 St David's & Haverfordwest
A Pilgrimage Around St Nons Bay
Difficulty: Leisurely
Distance: 6km
Average Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Digital Map: View route on OS
Paper Map: Landranger 157 St David's & Haverfordwest
Are any of these dog walks near you? Make sure you have everything you need for dog walking before you head out with our handy essentials guide.
You can also check out our summary of dog walking guides offered by navigation experts, Ordnance Survey.
