This historic village is a fantastic place for dogs, and kids of all ages from 4 to 94. The dunes and beach behind the massive castle are wide and spacious enough for the most energetic hound.
Large long & flat sandy beach where dogs are allowed & accepted readily all year round. During July and August there's a 'dogs on leads' rule between 0900-1700.
Woodland dog walk with clear paths and easy routes through the trees. Plenty to look at and a very helpful visitor centre with interesting information.
Close to the M4 Junction 11. Popular park centred on the lakes. There are signed footpaths with walks between 1-3 miles. A favourite with birdwatchers - so best to avoid them!
This is a dog walk that does exactly what it says on the tin: one path that winds through an avenue of rhododendron bushes, there and back. And the dog-friendly pub is a treat.
Handy and dog-friendly pub for a walk by the canal, or just a pleasant place to sit in the beer garden and watch the boats go by. Close to the M42 and the M40.
This small town is just on the edge of the Forêt d'Orient national park, and as its well away from the more obviously touristic town, the atmosphere here feels incredibly laid back and sleepy.
Definitely worth leaving the autoroute to explore this tiny medieval village, with a couple of very appetising boulangerie / patisserie, a deer park and enticingly dozey atmosphere.
The walk here is in a set of leisure lakes, with good facilities and quite a lot going on. It's also a really easy place to get to, and just a few minutes away from the motorway exit.
A well-planned system of criss-crossing paths make the most of the 110 acres of land in this park, and it's a delightful place to visit with lots of variety and points of interest.
This is a calm place for a dog walk and driving break from the M20 Jct 2, or the M26 Jct 2. There's plenty to keep the kids busy, or for just a peaceful potter with the pooch.
This is one of our favourite stops - with a fabulous forest off-lead walk for the dog, and then just a few miles down the road there's a village with an excellent restaurant and an old abbey to admire...
A wonderful place to visit at any time of year, and perfect for dog-walkers. This is a lovely expanse of greenery with loads of meadows, lakes and trees to sniff around.
This walks starts at one of the highest points in Bedfordshire, within the Chilterns' Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are stunning views over the county and the Sharpenhoe Clappers.
If you're a canal fan, then this walk is full of interest and dogs will love it too. It's a towpath walk alongside a stretch of the Aisnes canal and just fabulous!
Beautiful wide beach with lots of rock pools at low tide - no dog restrictions. Refreshments available in the summer and at weekends out of season. Lifeguards.
A marvellous area of heathland mixed with occasional woodland offering plenty for the intrepid dog to explore. This is really lovely in the summer when the heather is blooming.
We love stopping at this dog-friendly pub near Colsterworth as a respite from the A1. The farm shop is great for stocking up on self-catering essentials too.
Acres of woodland, with a choice of four marked trails. Just the job for dogs who've got bored of sandy paws. On hot days these shaded paths are just what a dog needs.
A relaxing stroll with the dog along the Oxford Canal through the Cherwell Valley. It starts from a delightful Oxfordshire village - famous for the Fairport Convention festival.
In the winter months especially this is a fine place for a dog walk, and there's plenty of scamper space for dogs to be off-lead in fields with no livestock.
Warm and welcoming, dog-friendly canalside pub with walkies from the beer garden. New team has taken over (August 2023) and we'll be updating the details soon.
A mix of fields and woodlands surrounding a lake. To begin with we thought the park was just a sailing centre, but there's much more to it than that and dogs can enjoy a really good walk here.
Really good dog and family stop on a road that doesn't have a lot of options. The walk starts from just behind the pub, and younger kids can let off steam in the play area.
Excellent stopping point for dogs and kids (and drivers) with easy to follow walk routes on good firm paths - ideal for wet weather and keeping your feet dry.
If you're travelling across the A66, a great place to stretch your legs and dog's paws is in the village of Dufton - an attractive village which sits on the Pennine Way.
A country park with plenty of nature and history to look out for. The beacon hill is one of the highest points in Leicestershire, and gives a big view on a clear day.
Dogs can get onto this lovely sandy beach all year round. It's backed by dunes and is a fabulous off-lead romp for dogs. Within walking distance of the CCC campsite.
Small neighbourhood country park with a very good kids' playground and plenty of space for dogs to have a run. Good accessible paths suitable for wheelchairs and clean disabled facilities.
The first thing to notice about this village is the enormous village green. And then, lurking beyond the green are the ruins of an old castle. And the resident dogs - lots of them!
A brilliant dog friendly pub just of the M5. Just by Gordano Services. Dogs are allowed in the tiled bar area. Food is above average and service is great. Walks in nearby Prior wood are excellent.
Good walking in this historic park. Look out for the interesting colliery remains near the car park. Horses also use the park, so avoid the bridle paths if your dog is scared of large beasties!
Good dog walking country between Stokenchurch and Lewknor, with a number of woodland paths to vary the route if this becomes a regular walk place. It is hilly, but there are sitting spots.
Dog walk in a really interesting country park, formed out of the remains of a colliery. The ponds in the park came about from subsidence, not design. It's a gritty sort of park, but worth a visit.
This is the perfect hot weather dog walk over paw-cooling grass. Pleasure boats on the river pass by from time to time, and there's a sense of 365 day holidays here.
A large car park, easy access to the river and tasty food makes this a popular place to enjoy an easy dog walk, with doggie swimming, and take a break.
We found this was a good combo of dog-friendly pub and short dog walk, with the site of the Battle of Naseby just a few miles away if you get inspired by the 'oldness' of everything around here.
Popular with local dog walkers, this is a great break from the autoroute for drivers, dogs and everyone. The paths are wide and easy to follow, and the forest is a delight.
Dog-friendly pub in the centre of a Dartmoor village, and with a good dog walk from the door. It seems incredible that this seemingly remote place is so close to the A30.
This is such is a useful stop, especially if you have children on board too as there is plenty to occupy youngsters as well as dogs. And the cafe is a gem.
Superb dog-walking here, with swimming places and broad open spaces for dogs to really stretch their legs. Kids will love this place too - there's a sturdy and well-equipped pirates playground.
A large park in a beautiful valley. There's a choice of walking through woods, over grass or along the river, and the chance to enjoy some interesting metal sculptures.
Remote forest walk where Red Kites wheel above and small furries scamper below. An ideal scampering ground for dogs who've had the nearby on-lead Devil's Bridge trip (Jem isn't a fan!).
A peaceful reservoir, with clean and tidy facilities and a fully accessible path along the waterside. It's a handy place to know about if you're on the A30 and the traffic builds up after Okehampton.
Super special Grade 1 listed pub, once called home by the Lord of the Manor. So if dog-friendly dining in style makes your posh pooch happy, head for the Old Hall.
Great National Trust park with miles of walking. Lack of dog poo bins is a slight downside. Variety of areas: Lake side (water front); park; hills. Nice view of the castle.
Handy for the M40 Junction 5 and 6. An unusual part of the county as the woodland here is owned either by the Forestry Commission or the National Trust. Excellent news for dog-walkers.
This country park is a wonderful place to walk around. It's a hilly place, but delightful to stroll through the trees, meadows and down to the River Blyth in the valley bottom.
Even though the car park is directly off the A9 northbound, after just a few paces along the path, you would never know you're anywhere near a main road.
Popular with walkers, and close to some lovely dog walks. The Drovers was bought by an Edinburgh pubco (2022) and details may have changed since then. They are definitely still dog-friendly.
Part of a bird sanctuary called Barons Haugh. There is a Japanese garden and it also has the oldest living thing in Lanarkshire - the Covenanters Oak, which is 800 years old.
An excellent farm shop, cafe and children's play area next to the big, flat, open space where Henry IV (England) beat Henry 'Hotspur' Percy (Northumberland Rebels) away at Shrewsbury.