Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to walk in a country park at 8:30-10pm on my own?

359 replies

danniegrace · 28/08/2023 21:06

dh annoyed at this suggestion by me and said he will be really annoyed if i do it as he will worry the whole time. we have a pretty high energy dog and the best time for his longer walk is simply in the evening time, dog is with me all day but i am a carer for a relative so with them all day, dh does take dog out in the morning but he needs another walk again in the evening and i just prefer somewhere than a pavement walk or small park... i am a fully grown woman in my late 20s. i know this sounds weird but there has been absolutely no crimes there that have come up in any sort of news, at all, not even over a decade ago, its a rather open country park vs very woodlandy. would you do it?

OP posts:
Random789 · 28/08/2023 22:13

(I'd be a bit scared of ghosts, though. Would have to keep telling myself 'Don't think about the Blair Witch Project, don't think about the Blair Witch Project ...')

Helenahandkart · 28/08/2023 22:13

I think you should go. But stay aware if your surroundings - don’t wear headphones or anything. I’m a great believer in not allowing fear to stop me from doing what I want to, and a late night walk is a lovely thing. Enjoy the stars. Fuck those predatory men. I doubt they’re hanging out in country parks anyway.

CandyLeBonBon · 28/08/2023 22:13

The main reason I wouldn't is because my dog lives to chase a ball and have a proper run around and that's more challenging at night. I'd feel a bit uncomfortable that late but I've done it occasionally. Is there anyway you can fit it in during daylight hours?

shitt · 28/08/2023 22:14

EinyLinky · 28/08/2023 22:08

I'd genuinely feel more at risk in a lit up street, if it was very late. Much more likely for someone to be watching... it's definitely riskier to be walking home alone late, through local parks, towns, streets, even if lit up... hence when there is a rare case of rape or murder, it's usually from those, than a large bloody country park

But we’re not perpetuating these crimes (I hope!) so that’s immaterial imo. I’d assume perpetrators would target more secluded areas. If someone was a victim in the areas you mention, there’s likely to be cctv including dash cams, doorbell cameras. There’s likely to be witnesses that may have spotted the victim or perpetrator even if they didn’t see the crime. There’s opportunity for forensic recovery. If someone was a victim of a crime in a large open park, the chances of evidence being recovered is more difficult I assume as it’s a needle in haystack approach.

Bellyblueboy · 28/08/2023 22:14

I wouldn’t walk in any park in the dark. Sadly it isn’t safe. And I would be scared if I am honest. I will walk around my neighbourhood in the dark no problem - there is good street lighting and a police station quite close by.

if all men disappeared off the face of the earth for 24 hours I would miss then terribly - but I would also walk though cities and parks in the dark!!

Saschka · 28/08/2023 22:15

Or somebody twigs that you are parking there and heading into the country park late every evening, and decides to follow you.

Or god, there’s also a fair chance you just find yourself tripping over a load of doggers! I headed up to a beauty spot to watch the sunset a couple of years ago, and let’s just say the atmosphere was very very different to lunchtime. Lots of people prowling around checking me out. I got back in my car very quickly and left.

Vettrianofan · 28/08/2023 22:15

EinyLinky · 28/08/2023 22:01

@Vettrianofan oh come on, you think you have to be lucky to not have been raped or murdered for walking at the same time/place in the dark?

Yes I do as I used to follow a set routine walking at roughly same time on a certain route and was followed one day. It does happen unfortunately.

WarmButteryCrumpets · 28/08/2023 22:16

I wouldn't do it on my own but I would with my dog (and a headlamp). Mine is also a medium rommie and to me he looks like a puppy but he has the most ferocious bark that I've seen grown men quake in their boots. So my answer is, it depends on your dog!

Vettrianofan · 28/08/2023 22:17

HeddaGarbled · 28/08/2023 22:02

For me, it’s the lack of other people about that’s the risk factor. If you’re walking somewhere where there are other people within shouting distance, you’re more likely to be able to get help in the event of any sort of incident or accident.

Safety in numbers.

MamaTess · 28/08/2023 22:17

Inmybirthdaysuit · 28/08/2023 22:04

You can see that it depends on the park though right? As far as google tells me nothing of note has ever happened in the park nearest to me. Not in the day, not at night, not ever. I walk there at least once a day for years and the dodgiest character i have ever seen there was a Mum that was letting her kids throw all of their picnic rubbish on the ground and just left it there. To say it is a 'huge risk' to walk in my local park at night would be ridiculous.

Show quote history

Obviously as an adult it's completely up to you to risk assess your own actions. If you feel it's not a risk then absolutely go for it, it's not anyone's decision except yours. I'm just offering my opinion, and saying I wouldn't do it. Which I don't think is ridiculous. May be just be mindful that a huge amount of crime goes unreported.

I understand it depends on the park and area, I live in a big city and parks after dark aren't safe at all, in my opinion. The park near me as far as I am aware has no crimes reported, aside from a few vandalised benches. I still wouldn't do it.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 28/08/2023 22:18

I would have done it at your age and have done many similar things- but would be too scared now (40s with kids) - just different attitude to risk as a middle aged person. So maybe mn is not the best place to look for affirmation of this idea.

Could you find someone to walk with to try it out?

thebiggestsaleever · 28/08/2023 22:19

I wouldn’t and I hate we live in a world where I don’t feel safe doing so.

LylaLee · 28/08/2023 22:20

Especially if you get into a routine of being there alone in the dark, some sicko will learn the pattern and wait for you to turn up.

titchy · 28/08/2023 22:22

I would and do! The risk of being in an RTC is far higher. People are generally very bad at risk assessment, and the risk of being attacked in dark woods with a dog is much lower than the risk of being mugged in broad daylight in a city. Obvs be aware of your surroundings, don't wear headphones, know the route etc.

Member869894 · 28/08/2023 22:23

I would worry more about you falling over in the middle of nowhere that being attacked.

Vettrianofan · 28/08/2023 22:23

Saschka · 28/08/2023 22:15

Or somebody twigs that you are parking there and heading into the country park late every evening, and decides to follow you.

Or god, there’s also a fair chance you just find yourself tripping over a load of doggers! I headed up to a beauty spot to watch the sunset a couple of years ago, and let’s just say the atmosphere was very very different to lunchtime. Lots of people prowling around checking me out. I got back in my car very quickly and left.

@Saschka 💐 you get what I mean.

Vettrianofan · 28/08/2023 22:26

LylaLee · 28/08/2023 22:20

Especially if you get into a routine of being there alone in the dark, some sicko will learn the pattern and wait for you to turn up.

This.

MrsR87 · 28/08/2023 22:27

No I would absolutely not do this.

I of course agree with those that say we cannot let fear dictate what we do. But, I once had a terrifying experience when I was 18 walking home alone from the vicarage which was a ten minute walk from my house at 9pm in the dark and so do my best to avoid similar situations now.

TheBrightestStarInTheSky · 28/08/2023 22:29

You couldn't pay me to do it.
Places like that do attract oddballs at night, l think your very naive to think they dont. Some men go night fishing or shooting over places like that, they're not just hanging around for hours waiting for a defenceless.victim to appear but they could be opportunists.

foxlover47 · 28/08/2023 22:29

The only reason I would is because I have 3 terriers who are very loud and would go nuts if anyone was even approaching nearby but it's so sad that we can't feel as women that we can do this

avemariiiaa · 28/08/2023 22:29

You should be able to do it, but I totally agree with your partner.

I'd feel more comfortable and safe walking where there are houses and street lights once it's dark.

Then again, being alone in a country park during daylight could pose similar risks. It just feels worse in the dark.

WunWun · 28/08/2023 22:31

Fuck no, I wouldn't do this. Mainly because I have severe anxiety and I would be terrified of murders, rapists, ghosts, 'monsters', fucking lions and whatever other ridiculous unreasonable thought that comes into my head while I'm having a panic attack

NeverDropYourMooncup · 28/08/2023 22:36

I reached the fastest speed ever doing that. I found a bunch of badger batters digging. If they'd have caught me, I'd definitely have had something to worry about.

NameChangeEmbarressed · 28/08/2023 22:38

I wouldn't do it.

As shit as it is, women have to be so careful. Yes, I know it's not fair we have to live as though we are scared but it's a fact we are vulnerable purely because we are born female but it's the way it is.

Be safe, be sensible. If your DH is concerned then please think of him too

Curseofthenation · 28/08/2023 22:41

I would and do walk my dog every evening in the dark. I say go for it. You can't live life in fear.

Swipe left for the next trending thread