Days out with a dog that are not just 'walking through woods'

[soupdragon321]

Hi, I'm a total city girl - love a city day out, but now we have a dog and I'm struggling as I hate long dog walks through fields. I am so BORED of them. DH and DS1 +DS2 love yomping through forests etc with the dog but I do not, yet we want to spend family time together. Can anyone recommend good cities for days out with a dog? We have done Lincoln which was great - lots of dog friendly shops and restaurants etc, but can anyone recommend any more?

[fitflopqueen]

get a National Trust membership - if you do this just for you it means that, parking is then free, you can have a wander round the houses, buildings etc that are not dog appropriate whilst your family have a frolic in the park

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

Don't know if anyone has said it but if you are walking along streets of shops with your dog, beware fried chicken shops/takeaway places with bones on pavement outside!

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

We went by train to Rye for the day (from London) and found a really nice dog-friendly foodie pub just a few mins walk beyond the town proper - The Globe Inn Marsh. And, if you haven't been to Rye yet - it is wonderful.

[soupdragon321]

Ooh thanks for these, keep them coming. Our dog is used to variety of environments so doesn’t seem stressed by city walks, though we wouldn’t, for instance, take him along a super busy London street! Loves a beach too. It’s good to hear others feel the same way. We do do the forest walks etc (esp DH!) but if we’ve got a dog for life then it’s needs a bit of variety 😉

[SparkleM]

Matlock and Matlock Bath are dog friendly for a pub lunch and wander around interesting shops and parks.

Also have you googled to see if there are any pop up cafes relating to your dog’s breed? I’ve seen ones for Cockapoos, pugs and sausage dogs in the Midlands - one off events for all the family.

In the East Midlands Clumber Park has some good dog events (dog santa / dog Xmas party etc! for families. Rushcliffe Country Park has an off the lead secure dog agility play area.

Also Newstead Abbey has a regular fun dog show in summer.

You can take your dog to Crufts if they don’t mind the Crowds!

[Fannia]

Weald and Downland Open air Museum West Sussex is dog friendly. It's countryside but with interesting old houses etc and cafe. They also have quite a few events throughout the year which are very popular and busy (sometimes too busy for me!).

[dogcrazy]

pubs, cafes, there’s a zoo in the UK that’s dog friendly, a lot of smaller fair grounds allow dogs in too.