London is generally a very dog-friendly city; the London Underground is allegedly one of the most dog-friendly public transport systems in the world and our capital is considered the greenest city in Europe!
However, all around London there are events and activities often marketed to cater to our four-legged friends but are really more suited to entertain us. Sometimes these events can be quite noisy with large gatherings of people and dogs, which can be hugely stressful for dogs. Remember that dogs are naturally inactive for about 75% of the day, and a day out can be very over-stimulating and exhausting on all levels!
Below are some of the best and most enriching things to do in the city with your four-legged friend.
Enjoy the abundance of green spaces
When it comes to walks, people who live in the countryside often think they’ve got a better deal than Londoners, but that’s not true! Did you know that around 40% of Greater London is comprised of public green space, and that there are 3000 parks and green spaces across the capital? There are the huge royal parks like Hyde Park and Regents Park, beautiful areas filled with nature like Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park, and smaller patches of green dotted absolutely everywhere. There are some truly fantastic options in the city, so be sure to get out and explore them!
Do be mindful that we have to share our beautiful green spaces with schools, runners, cyclists, picnics, outdoor exercise classes, personal trainers, people playing sport and ball games, wildlife and many other dogs and people. Not everyone wants a dog to approach them and not every dog wants to be approached, some dogs may even find some of these things quite frightening, so just be aware of how your dog is responding to the environment and choose your walking time accordingly – it is possible to find quiet times and places to walk!
Make the most of the Thames
The banks of the River Thames might not be the most aesthetic, but the ramps and sandy areas that emerge when the tide is out are covered in the most interesting smells for dogs! Let them spend time mooching and sniffing to their heart’s content, which is not only very enriching but also very tiring – 20 minutes of sniffing will have the same effect as a long walk!
You can also hire a boat to enjoy the water with your dog. Your four-legged friend will love watching the world go by as you meander down the river, but be sure to pack snacks and water for them and pick a day that’s not too hot. Thames Clippers are also dog-friendly and can be a great way to travel from one riverside park to another. For adventures on London’s waterways, dogs are welcome to join you in canoes and kayaks, and on paddleboards, with Moo Canoes.
If your dog is a swimmer, always be mindful of algae, rats and sharp objects beneath the water’s surface.
Go sightseeing or marvel at the city’s impressive & diverse architecture.
There are many incredible buildings and landmarks to explore across all areas of London. Beat the crowds with an early morning walk around Battersea Power Station, explore The City at the weekend, check out the Shoreditch street art or stroll around Notting Hill, one of London’s most colourful neighbourhoods (but be sure to avoid Saturdays!).
Get active!
Bring your dog along for a round of golf on Wimbledon Common, followed by a delicious pub lunch. If your dog enjoys running, why not try a Parkrun with them, but only if you haven’t got a PB to beat – it’s important to go at their pace! Or have a go at dog agility at the Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park in Kennington, the most central of any public dog agility spaces in London.
Bond with other dog lovers.
There are more and more organised dog walks popping up across the city, perfect for meeting other like-minded dog-lovers and owners. Check out Meetup.com and local pages on social media for breed-specific meet-ups or attend one of Picture House’s dog-friendly cinema events where you can enjoy a film alongside your four and two-legged friends.
Get a taste of the foodie scene.
London’s street food markets are great places to eat out as they often welcome dogs and they’re full of delicious food options and different cuisines to choose from for us humans! Some of London’s dog-friendly markets include Mercato Metropolitano in Borough and Mayfair, Borough Market, Flat Iron Square, Greenwich Market, Spitalfields Market, Tooting Market, Market Hall Victoria, Maltby Street Market, Flea Market at Vinegar Yard, Camden Stables Market and Brockley Market.
Meet other animals.
Surrey Docks Farm is a working city farm and charity that enables the whole community to learn about farming, food production and the natural environment, and they welcome well behaved dogs on leads! At the farm there are donkeys, pigs, sheep, goats, ponies, chicken and ducks, and if your dog is calm and would cope well with other animals around, it’s a really lovely day out!
We must always watch our city dogs for signs of stress, over-excitement and over-stimulation, pain, over-tiredness, thirst, fear and anxiety when we’re out and about with them. Exploring new places can be exhausting. What is enriching and enjoyable for one dog could be frightening for another, so get to know what your dog is and is not able to cope with before planning an outing in the city. Taking time to stop, sit down and allow time for latent learning whilst you’re out and about is always a good idea too!