Walking our furry friends is such an important part of dog ownership. If you’re borrowing a dog, you might not know the best places to go, so we hope to inspire you with these five local wagtastic walking spots for you and your doggy, borrowed or owned, in Southampton.
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Manor Farm Country Park
Home to a historic working farm that has been around for over 600 years, this lovely park has 400 acres of woodland to discover with your dog along with loads of open space and a river where your pup can have a swim. There’s plenty of wildlife to enjoy like curlews by the river, roe deer in the woods, and lots of flowers to see along the way.
You won’t be able to bring your dog with you into the Farm Attraction in the park, but there is still lots to enjoy. You can even grab a snack together outside the Pantry Tearoom when you take a break from your adventures.
Plan your dog walk to Manor Farm Country Park or discover more dog friendly farms!
Royal Victoria Country Park
This fabulous park offers a wide range of activities from walks along the seashore where you can admire the Solent while your pup has a swim to exploring the woodland areas of the park. The fields are perfect for a game of fetch and there’s plenty of space for a relaxed picnic. Or if you prefer, there’s a cafe in the park with outdoor seating where you can enjoy a treat with your dog.
Plan your dog walk to Royal Victoria Country Park.
Central Parks
Southampton’s five Central Parks collectively cover 21 hectares and “have recently been awarded the prestigious Grade II listed status on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of special historic interest.” These parks are a doggy paradise and are located in the heart of Southampton.
You can plan your dog walks to each park:
- Andrews (East) Park
- Hoglands Park
- Houndwell Park
- Palmerston Park
- Watts (West) Park
Southampton Common
Southampton common offers 326 acres for you and your dog to enjoy. Roughly a twenty minute walk north from City Centre, it’s a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. This large space includes woodland, wetland, nature trails and more.
It also home to The Hawthorns Wildlife Centre, a must see for visitors of Southampton Common and can be found in the common’s southeast corner. The Hawthorns garden is open weekdays between 11am - 3pm and Sundays noon - 4pm if staff is available. The garden can also be enjoyed from the Centre’s cafe terrace.
Plan your dog walk at Southampton Common.
Itchen Valley Country Park
This beautiful park is comprised of 440 acres of water meadows, woodland, and meadows which have been awarded a Green Flag for the past four years. After exploring the trails or the Woodland Nature Reserve, you can relax at the Visitor Centre and Cafe.
You can buy a trail guide at the Visitor Centre for 60p.
Riverside Park
If your pup likes to make friends this is a great place for a dog walk. With many families and children dotted around and a large open grassland perfect to let your dog run off any extra energy. Cafes are available at nearby Bitterne Triangle, or if it’s a nice day why not pack a picnic and make a day of it. All in all, a perfect place for dog walks in Southampton.
Ashurst Stroll
Another great place to walk a dog in Southampton is Ashurst Wood. Starting at Ashurst railway, this is an easy walk that combines a range of different landscapes that show the New Forest at it’s very best. Keep your eyes peeled for ponies grazing and other local wildlife, also make sure to close gates behind you so that no ponies escape!
Discover our guide on dog friendly cottages in the New Forest!
High paws - We hope you’re as excited about your next dog walk as we are.
Looking for the pawfect match to join you on a city walk? Or would you like your dog to see the best that Southampton has to offer with a new friend? Why not sign up to BorrowMyDoggy today.
