M74 Junction 19 woodland dog walk near Ecclefechan, Scotland
This is a great walk for blowing the travel cobwebs away. There are two colour coded trails running through the forest, and most dogs will be very safe off-lead here.
This is a great walk for blowing the travel cobwebs away. There are two colour coded trails running through the forest, and most dogs will be very safe off-lead here.
This is such a relaxing and gentle place to take a break from the A1M, and dogs will love the parkland here. It's a great place for a dog walk.
The woodland here is perfect for dogs to really let off steam and thunder through the trees at speed.
Lovely easy walk on gravelled paths around a very large country park. Lots of access to the River Lostock running through which the dog loved.
This walk follows the course of a river, and ducks underneath the M6 to emerge at the site of an ancient motte and bailey fortress in the middle of the water.
Calm, peaceful and tranquil walking here with lots of top-class sniffing for dogs! The paths are all clear and well walked. Inside the wood you can sometimes see the earthworks of an ancient fort.
A pair of adjoining parks, both with Green Flag status and very popular with Solihull dog walkers. There is a small cafe, and it's also possible to walk from here to the town centre.
This is a delightfully rural canal side walk, even though the roar of the traffic on the M6 motorway is never far away.
Paths are well maintained here and provide easy dog walking around this fully accessible route. This is brilliant for kids, with a large play area, and the woods are perfect for dogs.
Relaxing 150 acres of parkland that seems to please dog walkers of all ages. Once part of a family estate, Worden's gardens were designed by Andrew Nesfield - of Alton Towers and Kew Gardens fame.
The paths here meander through a fine mix of woodland, meadow and waterside. The area is evidently a popular spot for local dog walkers, and we didn't see anyone without a dog!
Fantastic walk along the river bank, with a lovely dog-friendly hotel bar to return to.
Fabulous romping ground for dogs, in highly dog-friendly Forestry Commission woodland. Handy for a doggiestop from the A1 and the A17.
A handy 2-mile (35 mins) circular dog walk on tidy grassland that keeps dogs reasonably clean in all weathers.
One of the entrances to the National Forest is right in the middle of the Donington Park motorway services area with all the usual facilities.
Turner came here to paint, the Victorians flocked to admire the scenery. Your dog should be happy with a walk here!
Much more than a motorway stop, this is a dog-walkers' delight and popular for a dog day out in the Bristol area.
It would be impossible to guess that Tibshelf Services has immediate access to over 9 miles of countryside walking on the Five Pits Trail.
There are a number of trails in this nature reserve west of Congleton, including an easy access trail.
This is an enormous country park and hugely popular with local dog owners. There are a multitude of small paths and fields as well as the formal grounds and lake.
The old railway line, now part of the Harland way. The walk is mostly in tree lined railway cuttings and is ideal for a sheltered walk in bad weather or for a shaded walk in summer.
There is a lot to see on this purpose-made walk through an RSPB nature reserve. Dogs are welcome but need to be on a lead or effectively controlled.
A footpath located behind the M42 J2 (Hopwood) services. Crosses a few creeks and some small fields and much nicer than wandering around the services car park!
This nature reserve was opened by David Bellamy and it's a fine dog-walk space with clearly marked paths leading through fields, woodland and a disused canal path.
Forestry Commission woodland with easy to follow paths and lots of romping ground for dogs.
Nature reserve with 170 acres of grasslands, meadows, lakes, and woods. Dogs are allowed off lead however, certain parts of the nature reserve require dogs to be kept on a lead.
The woodland is great for dogs, with no stiles and plenty to occupy the canine nose.
Lovely walk in wooded area 5 mins from M5
Fabulous dog walking in Middle Earth. Yup, the real thing! The dog won't care but kids can look for hobbits.
Few places better than a crumbling ruin for a thoughtful moment of walkies with Fido. This was once home to a large community of White Canons, until Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries.
A mown track around a grassy field adjacent to the car park on the northbound side. Takes about 10 minutes to complete a circuit. Picnic table and poo bin at the start.
A transformed colliery site that is great for dog walks. Already it's hard to imagine how this green space would have looked.
Cuerden Valley Park is hugely popular with dog walkers, and the bright-eyed, waggy tailed dogs Jem met made it clear that this is a piece of canine heaven.
Half mile bridle path walk accessible directly from both northbound and southbound services
This handy walk starts from Cherwell Services, although there aren't many clues to find the start point. Easy parking for large motorhomes and caravans.
This is a lovely place to mooch with the pooch in a nature reserve within a couple of miles of Junction 12 on the M6.
There's a circular lakeside walk here, giving 40-50 minutes of comfortable walking well away from the more crowded cafe areas. If time permits, the haunted Hall is worth a look.
This is a fine all-weather walk on a hard surface path around the lake, with easy access for buggies and wheelchair users.
This is a truly rural walk, and a surprising contrast to the busy motorway and M4 service station you will leave behind.
There's a definite northerly feel to the air up here, and even in summer this walk on Public Footpaths feels cool - if not chilly. Dog swimming is possible in the stream at the foot of the hill.
A stroll along Hadrian's Wall is a fitting location for the last dog walk on the M6 in England (or the first out of Scotland).
Three hundred acres of open countryside for dog walks, countryside displays and exhibitions, guided walks, craft fairs...there must be something for just about everyone at Beacon Country Park.
Starting from the car park are trails of varying lengths either through woodland or by a lake. The paths are surfaced, so these are dog-walks for all weathers and shoes.
Centred around an Iron Age fortress, this historic location is just the place for dogs who enjoy walking in the hills and through woodland. The views across Somerset are well worth the effort.
This ancient hill is an ideal place for dogs to let off steam.
A large, friendly village pub backing onto the Grand Western Canal. Absolutely great for dogs, kids and walkers.
This is ideal dog walking country and there is plenty of space for doggy romping around the copses and grassland.
Dogs and heritage buffs will both love this 30-40 minute walk to the castle and back. Explanation boards along the way explain the background, including an interesting Polish connection.
This is a 50-60 minute circular walk that's ideal for blowing away the city cobwebs.
There's a choice of two water walks in this sleepy village, both quiet and tranquil. There are a couple of small shops in the village for picnic supplies, and the Bell is dog-friendly in the bar.
This is a fabulous dog walking spot, with not just one good walk but several. No dog with any manners could possibly complain about a doggiestop here.
Clear open landscape to enjoy here, including the source of the River Rea. The view from the top of the hill is sensational, and definitely worth the climb.
When walking on a Beacon it's clear that the walking won't be flat, and that good views are guaranteed.
Very easy to follow circular dog walk on a Public Footpath around a reservoir, with fields and an old railway line too. The walk is a good one - and the pub is dog-friendly.
Everards brewery in Leicester has relocated, and, as part of the agreement, have created links to a fantastic green space just off the M1.
Generous stately grounds where dogs are welcome and it's usually fairly quiet once you're away from the main car park and facilities. Watch out for some evil speed humps on the way in, even at 5mph.
Big open space for dogs to stretch their legs. Just pawfect for letting the dog have a really good run before you go to take a look at the pretty and historic county town of Warwick.
Dedicated dog walking area located at the far end of this services stop (eastbound M4). Large open field and woodland area, away from busy area of the services.
Genuine, nice and dog-friendly inn with plenty of history behind it. We thought the meals were great value, and definitely recommend their Fish Fridays. Easy to get to from the M6/20 and the A56 too
This walk starts at a small, and impeccably maintained, memorial to Canadian soldiers from WW1 and then follows a forest path where dogs are able to run off lead.
'Withnail and I' fans will recognise this walk as the route to the cottage that was used in the film. Dogs will just adore the open space.
A very handy stopping point whether you're heading north or south, as this enormous park spans almost the complete distance between Junctions 5 and 6.
There's plenty to see on this dog walk in the wooded grounds of two ruined husks of former aristocratic glory. Both belonged to Bess of Hardwick, a very material girl indeed.
This is a gem of a dog walk as well as an inspired piece of urban regeneration. The park is linear because it used to be a railway line serving Wigan and Glazebrook.
Calm and cooling spot for a dog walk - and no chance of getting lost.
A wonderful opportunity for dogs to race around over meadows, or just chill out on the grass in this well-planned and popular water park. Children are well catered for too.
This is a short walk that's a favourite with local dog walkers, who seem to be a happy and chatty bunch. You can get here from the M6 Junction 27 but there are no facilities.
A really delightful woodland walk for the dog, and then afterwards the nearby dog-friendly pub is welcoming and friendly.
A walk that starts right in the Services, but with its start point well hidden from thousands of desperate dogs.
There isn't a castle but legend says that this was the site of Arthur's Camelot. Whether this is true or not it is the site of an iron age hill fort.
Dogs will love the scents to be found in this old wood, and the sense of otherworldness found under the dappled light of these ancient trees will delight the imaginative.
A fully rural circular walk here on Public Footpaths across fields, up and down dales, and highly enjoyable.
The site offers a network of surfaced woodland trails and there are also fantastic off road links to the Teversal Trail Network, and on into Derbyshire and the Five Pits Trail.
Tranquil off-lead easy dog walk from a new-style community pub that's also a cafe. This is a relaxing place to break a journey. It's sooo close to the M40 junction but you'd never know it.
Branded as the first 'Walkers' Town' in Scotland, some impeccable organisation has gone into creating a series of well marked trails in and around the town and environs.
Once a colliery spoil tip, now this is a dog walker delight. The area has been re-developed as a community green space and is popular with dog owners and families.
As well as walking the dog in the 90 acre parkland here, the cafe is dog-friendly - well done National Trust! The tale of the house's piratical past in the visitor centre is terrific; recommended for...
Dogs will benefit not just from an excellent walk here, but also that their drivers have so many opportunities for shopping, snacks and meals to suit all budgets and tastes.
A choice of paths here, either along the canal or the river. There's more to see on the canal route, and the path is in good condition.
A young country park that gets better every year as the trees and shrubs develop, and the lakes attract wildlife and water plants.
This is reputed to be the only village left in England that still maintains the 'rotating' medieval field system.
Interesting dog walk and a dog-friendly pub close to the A303 near Ilminster. I must have driven past this hundreds of times and never thought to stop, so don't miss out!
A remote forest dog walk on well-signed paths. We found a short route and also a much longer section of forest paths where dogs can run free and enjoy the freedom of the forest.
An easy to manage walk with dogs, very close to the M6 exit.
A gentle easy-access stroll along a former railway line and through woodland. The rail line was built to transport salt from Cheshire to the Potteries. It's less than 3 miles from M6 Junction 17
This is a lovely 17th Century coaching inn with open fires either end of the lounge bar in which you can enjoy good home cooked food and a fine selection of ales and beers
The pub here is a 16th Century building with beams, open fires and a touch of old England.
Another dog-pleaser of a walk dog starting at the motorway services, but well-hidden from public view. This is a dry, summer walk and gets well muddy after rain.
Relaxing homely bar area with sofas and a fabulous view over the Severn estuary and Wales. Can get crowded at busy travel times.
Well worth stopping here, not just to walk the dog, but also to enjoy the atmosphere and gothic ruins of this ruined abbey. Great place for a picnic if you're organised enough.
Riverside path along the Wear with country views, and spectacular views of the Castle and Cathedral. 1.5 miles one way.
Picturesque castle ruins in the Eden Valley, just off the A66. Limited on-lead walking for dogs, but a smashing place for kids who love charging around castles with plastic swords.
One of those quaint 'English' dog walks, with a fabulous pub, cricket pitch and strolling route on springy grass through lush countryside.
A great place for a dog walk, and the woods are also full of local history.
Easy to find dog-friendly pub - and the walk starts directly from the car park. Perfect!
Less than a mile from the A1 and you can enjoy a cooling riverside walk, check out a once important Roman town, or grab something to eat in nearby Boroughbridge.
Fantastically well-placed dog-friendly pub inside a country park. All boxes ticked for canine content and a chance to satisfy the most demanding passengers too.
This Common is a favourite for families and dog walkers. The coolness of the pine forest is ideal for hot, travel weary dogs, or check out the dog swimming possibilities of the lake.
The pub is deceptive - bigger inside than you'd think from the car park, and it's strong on food too. The walk is an easy one to find, and dogs get a good off-lead run.
Dogs can run freely in this small survivor of a former royal hunting forest, where the ancient oak trees are known as 'druids'.