Stunning photos show most scenic UK spots for dog walks - including Hadrian's Wall
These mesmerising images show some of the most scenic places for dog walks in the UK - including the Yorkshire Dales, Hadrian's Wall and Cheddar Gorge. A survey of 2,000 UK dog owners discovered the most popular destinations to enjoy, with the Yorkshire Dales taking first place in the top 40 list.
The National trust launch the Dogs Welcome Project
Some of the preferred destinations for a dog walk were found to be beside the sea (44 percent), with the South West being home to many top spots.
It’s important both owners and canine companions enjoy connecting with nature and discovering new places further afield from their usual route
Cornwall took two spots in the top five, whilst Devon also featured several times in the list, with Doone Valley and Baggy Point.
It also emerged three in ten owners enjoy strolls by lakes, with the Lake District’s Derwentwater taking the second spot in the top 40.
The poll, commissioned by Devon-based natural pet food producer Forthglade, revealed a further 39 percent opt for walks in a forest, while 28 percent chose national parks.
It also found the choice of dog walk destination is heavily influenced by how safe it is for pups (46 percent), if there’s adequate space for them to be let off a lead (29 percent), and if it’s somewhere to connect with nature (26 percent).
Gerard Lovell, joint managing director at Forthglade, said: "We’re lucky to have so many picturesque places in the UK to enjoy walks with dogs.
"It’s important both owners and canine companions enjoy connecting with nature and discovering new places further afield from their usual route."
Places with free parking (22 percent), dog-friendly cafés (14 percent) and somewhere for the dog to swim (15 percent) are also likely to impact on where dog walkers spend the day.
The survey, commissioned by OnePoll, also found that during the pandemic, 46 percent said dog-walking helped their physical and mental health, with 24 percent going on more strolls throughout the day.
The poll also revealed that nearly half (49 percent) have even chosen holiday locations based on the suitability for their pup, seeking out dog-friendly accommodation (61 percent), beaches (59 percent), and nearby walking spaces (55 percent).
And a quarter believe they get equally as excited for a walk as their dog, while 41 percent admitted they wouldn’t be as fit if they didn’t have their pet.
Half also said they actively look for new places to visit, with 40 percent finding a different walk more exciting than sticking to the same one.
A further 23 percent varied their routes more during this time, and 11 percent met up with friends for a walk with their dog more than they did pre-pandemic.
Gerard Lovell added: "If there’s one thing that we’ve learnt this year, it’s that dogs have become even more precious to people, and are a true extension of the family.
"Daily walks and exercise with them hugely benefits the physical and mental wellbeing of both parties, nurturing deeper bonds between dogs and their owners."
Over half of the top 40 locations in the survey are cared for, or partially cared for by Europe’s largest conservation charity, the National Trust.
The charity, in partnership with the pet food maker, has launched the Dogs Welcome Project, which is committed to improving the facilities and experience for canine visitors and their humans.
To inspire dog owners to enjoy a new route, adventurer Simon Reeve has teamed up with Forthglade and the National Trust to create a video showcasing a dog walk in Arlington Court in Devon - a Regency house set in a picturesque garden.
Simon Reeve said: "I think it’s brilliant that the team at Forthglade and the National Trust are working to ensure dogs and their humans are even more welcome at so many of the Trust’s properties, whilst also making sure there’s space for people who may not always want a dog bounding around them.
"My dogs have taught me how to be more present, aware of nature, and draw fulfilment from every precious moment spent outdoors.
"Importantly, my dogs are essential to my mental health, and I always find the simple act of putting one foot in front of another a powerful mental tonic, and my dogs offer a profound psychological support."
Ceinwen Paynton, from The National Trust, added: "Working together gives us a great opportunity to focus on our members with dogs and how to make visits even better for them, while balancing that with access for other visitors and nature conservation.
"We recognise that a large proportion of our members are dog owners - with this increasing over the last two years- and what an important way of accessing nature and green spaces dogs can be."
TOP 40 MOST SCENIC DOG-WALKING ROUTES:
- Yorkshire Dales
- Derwentwater, Lake District
- Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
- Lizard Point, Cornwall
- Holywell Beach, Cornwall
- Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland
- Ullswater, Cumbria
- Glastonbury Tor, Somerset
- Holkham Beach, Norfolk
- The Roaches, Peak District
- Richmond Park, London
- The Seven Sisters, South Downs
- Durham Coast, Durham
- Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh
- The Langdales, Cumbria
- Pen y Fan, Wales
- Rhosili Bay, South Wales
- Doone Valley, North Devon
- Golden Cap, Dorset
- Cragside, Northumberland
- Sheringham Park, Norfolk
- Clifton Downs, Bristol
- Tennyson Down, Isle of Wight
- Kinmel Bay, Wales
- Baggy Point, North Devon
- Clent Hills, Worcestershire
- Bath Skyline Walk, Bath
- Hengistbury Head, Dorset
- Hatfield Forest, Essex
- Heaven's Gate, Wiltshire
- Orwell Country Park, Ipswich
- Lyme, Cheshire
- Blickling Estate, Norfolk
- Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire
- Flatford, Suffolk
- Grantchester Meadows, Cambridge
- Whiteford Burrows, North Gower Coast
- Laverstock Down, Salisbury
- Green Chain Walk, London
- Attingham Park, Shropshire