Woodland walks

For a fabulous low-cost day out, it’s hard to beat the pleasure of a relaxing woodland walk. It’s great fun to see your dog out and about on a forest trail, discovering new sights, sounds, and sniffs! 

Woodland walks are enjoyable all year, but if there is a forecast for strong winds, it might be best to avoid areas with trees in case of falling branches. On hotter days, the trees can provide some very welcome cool shade, and dogs who love water might be lucky enough to find a stream or beck to splash through. Before setting off, check what the car parking facilities are, find out if there is a nearby dog-friendly café, and if any additional activities are available to help keep children amused. 

Be aware that ticks are common in woodland areas, so check your dog (and yourself) after your walk and, if necessary, use a special tick remover to safely remove them. If your dog gets very muddy, wash and dry his feet carefully after the walk, and always carry clean water for dogs to drink rather than allowing them to drink from dirty puddles.

 

Woodland code

Forests are always great places to walk with your dog, but to help everyone enjoy the experience please remember to:

• Keep your dog close and in view at all times to protect vulnerable plants and nesting birds
• Use a lead if your dog’s recall isn’t reliable. Always put your dog on a lead in areas where there is livestock
• Prevent your dog from going up to (or chasing) people or animals
• Clean up after your dog – remember to bag any dog poo then bin it or take it home with you
• Always follow trail signs and stick to designated paths to avoid injury and protect forest wildlife and farm animals
• Be respectful of other visitors, bikes, and horses. If a dog is approaching you on a lead, make sure you put your dog on a lead

 

Did you know?

Research shows that even short-term exposure to forests and nature can lift your mood, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress hormones!

 

Fineshade Wood
Corby, Northamptonshire

Located between Corby and Stamford in the Midlands, Fineshade Wood, which is managed by Forestry England, provides a perfect picturesque setting for dogs and their people to enjoy a great day out. Whether you want to have a leisurely wander through the trees, encourage the kids to let off steam in one of the exciting play areas, or go on a bike ride, there is something for everyone. You can choose from an easy-access trail that is suitable for wheelchairs, dog buggies, and mobility scooters or two longer trails with coloured waymarkers to follow. A variety of trees, flowers, and wildlife can be spotted around every corner, with bluebells and orchids very much in evidence in the springtime. After your walk you can enjoy a delicious coffee and cake in the dog-friendly Grounds café, which has a great selection of food and drinks to choose from, or if you prefer you can sit outside at one of the benches and share a picnic.

Fun with Wallace and Gromit!

Forestry England recently unveiled a series of brand-new routes across 22 of the nation’s forests, including Fineshade Wood. 

Panels along each forest route offer activities to do with your dog featuring the inimitable duo, Wallace and Gromit. Challenges include encouraging your dog to sit while you count up to 30 (in Gromit seconds!), high-fiving your canine chum, and encouraging them to lie still while you both enjoy looking up at the trees. At the end of the route, there’s a fab photo opportunity for your dog to say: “Cheese Gromit!”

Activity packs are available to buy with a tote bag featuring Wallace and Gromit, plus a cute dog bandana, a leaflet with details of how to enter a competition to win a family holiday, and a fun crossword puzzle with clues to solve on the route panels. 

- For more details, visit forestryengland.uk

 

Hainault Forest
Romford, Essex

The Woodland Trust has more than 1,100 sites across the UK, including Hainault Forest which is an ancient woodland that is home to a wealth of wildlife and plant species. From the eleventh century, Hainault formed part of the royal hunting forests and provided venison for the king’s table. This 280-acre wood is now owned by Essex County Council with a section leased to the Woodland Trust. It adjoins Hainault Forest Country Park and is just a stone’s throw from the city of London.

Hainault offers on-site parking, with 10 pedestrian entrances, plus four permissive bridleway entrances. The section that is managed by the Woodland Trust has three surfaced, multi-user paths extending to 4.5 miles, and several circular, surfaced networks of varying lengths. Walkers can wander among the stately oaks and hornbeams, and watch out for an incredible number of bird species, butterflies, and wildflowers. Every season offers something new and different to enjoy and learn about the beauty of this ancient forest.

Visitors can follow an exciting monster trail, which is dotted with sculptures of all things spooky and scary – sure to be a hit with any children! Nearby Hainault Forest Country Park has a fishing lake, petting zoo, guided walks, and a café that adjoins the wood. 

- To find out more about Hainault and other dog-friendly woods, visit woodlandtrust.org.uk

 

Case study

“We loveBlackborough Wood!” 

Mary Ann Nester, who lives near Cullompton in Devon, has the gorgeous Blackborough Wood on her doorstep and often visits the area with her four dogs. Blackborough is large forestry woodland with some ancient beech boundaries on the top of Blackborough Hill and, if you look carefully, you can find evidence of a ruined tower.

“There are some fabulous trails and paths to explore here,” says Mary. “For me, it is a perfect way for the dogs to unwind and enjoy just being themselves, exploring, sniffing, and having fun. I always take lots of treats with me so I can be sure to call them away from any squirrels, deer, or other dogs we might see, but I don’t take things like toys or a ball, because the woods offer so much, and this is a place they can get away from everything and completely decompress. I do make sure I take poo bags, though! We usually walk for an hour to 90 minutes, and quite often the dogs seem to come home with most of the woodland attached to their fur, so they need a good groom, but it’s worth it just to see everyone so happy!”

- Visit woodlandtrust.org.uk

 

Forest of Dean and Wye Valley
Gloucestershire

A visit to the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley will always be a memorable experience thanks to acres of beautiful ancient forest and the stunning river valley. Located close to where England meets Wales, and separated by the meandering River Wye, this is a place to really unwind, explore, and enjoy miles of traffic-free paths. 

There are 12 easy circular walks to follow, or for something a little different you can try the four-mile circular Forest of Dean sculpture trail. You can also hire a bike or take your own if you would look to cycle the trails with your dog, and for those who are more adventurous you can experience canoeing, kayaking, or stand up paddleboarding!  

This is a stunning area, and well worth staying a day or two in one of the many nearby holiday accommodation facilities, which include camping, glamping, hotels, and cottages.

- For more information, visit visitdeanwye.co.uk

 

Sutherland’s Grove
Oban, Scotland

For visitors to Scotland, there are so many wonderful woodland areas to explore, and many are managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS). Sutherland’s Grove, which is situated between Oban and Fort William, is a particularly dog-friendly site. Here you will find a series of trails, ranging from easy to strenuous, and you can download a pdf from the website with details of the routes before setting off. 

The Giant Fir Trail includes fresh running water from the burn for dogs to paddle in and doesn’t have the risk of blue-green algae that can often be an issue with the standing water of lochans or lochs. This is a lovely shady meander through soaring Douglas firs, and a perfect place to enjoy a picnic. A bin is located in the car park to dispose of dog waste.

- For more information, visit forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/sutherlands-grove