Dog-friendly national parks in the UK: Our favourite parks to walk your dog
Date published: 27 Feb 2023
Looking for inspiration for a dog-friendly holiday but don’t know where to start? You’ll never go wrong if you focus on the UK’s national parks. Our nation has 15 huge areas of designated protected landscapes, and each one welcomes dogs of all shapes and sizes. There are certain easy rules to follow so read our lowdown to make your visit both relaxing and stress-free for you and your pooch.
National parks in the UK
The right to roam across our most stunning landscapes is a fabulous way to liven up any staycation. Our 15 national parks (two in Scotland, three in Wales and ten in England) are all dog-friendly, and showcase the best that the UK has to offer.
- Brecon Beacons National Park
- Broads National Park
- Cairngorms National Park
- Dartmoor National Park
- Exmoor National Park
- Lake District National Park
- Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
- New Forest National Park
- Northumberland National Park
- Peak District National Park
- Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
- North York Moors National Park
- Snowdonia National Park
- South Downs National Park
- Yorkshire Dales National Park
Our favourite national parks to walk your dog
1. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Best for: Endless beaches
This is the UK’s only purely coastal national park, where the 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path leads keen dog walkers across this stunning and varied seaside scenery. Your four-legged friend will be in heaven spending endless days running along the park’s 50 sandy beaches, sniffing out hidden coves and scavenging fish and chips from the wrappings.
2. North York Moors National Park
Best for: A mixture of coast and moorland
For pooches who prefer a bit of variety to keep them excited, try the North York Moors. Inland, you’ll find a sea of purple heather washing over open moorland, and an abundance of market towns with traditional dog-friendly pubs to discover. On the coast there are high cliffs, deep caves and long beaches. It’s the best of both worlds.
3. Lake District National Park
Best for: Easy lake walks or tough mountain hikes
The Lake District is a fabulous park to explore with your dog. Lazy pooches can pootle around lakeshores like Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite or Buttermere. Windermere offers dog-friendly boat trips, while more active dogs can take on iconic peaks like Scafell or Catbells.
4. Snowdonia
Best for: Active dogs who like a challenge
The mountainous landscapes of Snowdonia National Park are just the thing for pups that are bouncing with energy. There’s a vast number of dog-friendly trails here, from the dog-friendly routes up Mount Snowdon to the secret trails and paths through lower mountains or forested areas that only locals know about. You’ll never get bored here in Snowdonia.
5. Northumberland
Best for: Unspoilt landscapes and quiet dog walks
As the least populated of the UK’s national parks, Northumberland National Park is fantastic for dogs who don’t like the sight of others. Even the National Trust sites like Allen Banks are really quiet compared to others in the UK, and there are a host of lesser-known trails and dog walks where you can get really off the beaten track. In the evening, leave Fido tucked up and get outside to see the stars of this Dark Sky Reserve.
6. South Downs
Best for: Good proximity to dog-friendly pubs everywhere in the park
As the most populated of the UK’s national parks, you’re never far from a cosy pub or a bustling town in the South Downs. Added to that, the 100 mile South Downs Way, stretching from the cathedral city of Winchester to Eastbourne, is part of a network of over 2,000 miles of walking trails for all abilities. It’s super easy in the South Downs to choose a lovely dog-friendly trail that ends at a pub or restaurant, and the accessible towns are very well connected by train.
7. Peak District
Best for: National Trust properties and challenging walks
There are endless adventures available for dog lovers in the UK’s original National Park, the Peak District. Older dogs and history loving owners should enjoy a tramp round spectacular country piles like Chatsworth House or Hardwick Hall, while for the more energetic pooches why not trek up Kinder Scout for epic views? With abundant market towns to enjoy as well, you’ll never be far from a dog-friendly refreshment stop.
Tips for walking your dog in a national park
If you’re a responsible dog-walker, then the national parks want you! They love having sensible dogs roaming around their wide open spaces and with so much to explore it’s impossible to grow tired of being outside. As well as being home to a diversity of landscapes, the national parks also shelter wildlife of all types - from grazing livestock to rare vegetation and animal species. By following just a few simple tips, it’s easy to enjoy this land while protecting it for years to come.
- Keep your dog within sight and under control
- Respect wildlife and livestock, particularly during breeding seasons (typically March to July)
- Always read official signs that will tell you anywhere that dogs are not allowed
- If chased by livestock, it’s safer for you to let your dog off the lead rather than trying to protect it
- Of course, always clear up after your dog even if you’re deep in the woods
