The best places to walk your dog in London

dog walking

A city as sprawling and as built up as London may not be the first place that springs to mind when it comes to great places to live when owning a dog.

A decent place for ‘walkies’ may seem to be harder to find than a parking space in Canary Wharf or as elusive as the perfect office space to rent in London. However, with an impressive 47% of Greater London being classified as green space and more public parks than you could shake a stick at, London has some great places to walk your canine friends, so leads at the ready!

Crystal Palace Park

A Victorian pleasure ground in south-east London, Crystal Palace Park has lots of things to do with your pup. From dinosaur hunting to losing yourself in one of the UK’s biggest mazes, the park is Grade II listed and spans 80 hectares.

Hampstead Heath

Encapsulating one of the highest points in London, not including the skyscrapers, of course, Hampstead Heath guarantees an impressive view whilst giving your pup their daily dose of exercise. Spanning from Hampstead to Highgate, there is a swimming pond especially for hounds on hot days.

A Walk Along The Canal

With many offices across London now having office dogs and a number of serviced offices in Kings Cross now also being dog friendly, having an exercise space in the middle of the city is more important than ever; somewhere to pop to on your lunch break with your furry friend.

A stroll along Regent’s Canal Towpath will give your dog a huge variety of smells and sights to explore. There are lots of routes to take in this area, leading all the way up to Camden Lock.

Highgate Wood

Easily accessible, super scenic and an all-around wildlife haven, Highgate Wood is an ancient woodland in North London, covering 28 hectares. With a football pitch, cricket ground and children’s play area, Highgate Wood has something to offer all of the family.

Battersea Park

On the opposite side of the river to Chelsea, Battersea Park dates back to 1858. Another one of the capital’s Grade II listed parks, it is one of the most pet-friendly parks in the city. As perfect for people watching as it is for pooch watching, there is even a dog-friendly cafe located within the park.

Wimbledon Common

The perfect place for a leisurely stroll, this area of south-west London mixes scrubland, woodland and grassy recreational areas together to form an impressive common. Spanning an astounding 1,140 acres, there are endless squirrels to chase and pigeons to bark at.

Regent’s Park

One of London’s Royal Parks, Regent’s Park is located in north-west London. Covering almost 400 acres, the park is split between the London Borough of Camden and the City of Westminster. There are lots of areas for dogs to roam free, especially around Primrose Hill, although pups should be kept on a lead in formal garden areas.