I’m new to dogs...got my first one two years ago, and since then 3 more! So 4 dogs and 2 cats here. Two of the dogs are rescues from Romania and Bosnia, and they are a delight. Such different personalities between the 4 dogs, each has their fault, I have an anxious barker, a lead puller, one that wants to see inside, and an escapee. We spend lots of time together because I work from home, so looking for new local walks.
Spacious sands, shallow waves, friendly people, amenities! Perfect for dogs and their owners.
It’s so nice to go somewhere that is so genuinely dog friendly.
Today it’s crazy hot so we took our four dogs to these woods. They are enormous, and there are many, many paths to follow. No amenities, free parking. Needed google maps on our phone to find the car !
We went to Sea Palling beach, and the car park was so rammed that we drove straight out again and a few miles up the coast to Cart Gap, where, even at 230 on a hot August Sunday, we found space in the car park, and had a lovely time on the beach, which was spacious with fantastic waves.
We parked up and crossed over the road to wander a few fields, marked clearly with yellow posts. But never mind that.....the cafe! A new extension is sooooo dog friendly! Astro turf, free biscuits for dogs large and small. A photo opportunity. It’s a nice airy space too, decorated with character.
Small car park, so be aware of this on fine days. If it’s full, there’s always Beacon Hill or the Outwoods nearby. In fact, if you don’t mind crossing a road, you do both Beacon Hill and here on the same day. Beacon Hill lower car Park has a recently opened and great dog friendly cafe! We wandered from this car park to the windmill site, which is opened as a viewing platform at limited weekends and bank holidays, but is nothing remarkable. The dogs enjoyed the windy woodland paths, plus a good run in the fields.
Visited Braunstone Park with 4 dogs and they absolutely loved it! Very easy to park (free ) and lots of ways to wander. We spent over an hour here. Apart from the beach, this is the biggest open space my dogs have seen and they could run at top speed after pigeons to their hearts content. Plenty of trees in small woodland groups, and a couple of lakes. Oh, and fitness equipment. Didn’t try that.
This unexpected and large area provides undulating landscape of fields and woodland, and a river. We park near Gynsill Tennis Club and within seconds we are enjoying the fields. Look on a map and you’ll see this park is very long and thin, stretching towards Thurscaston from Anstey. There are many paths to follow on all levels. We took a good pace today to walk from one end to the other, and back, and it took us an hour, even allowing for snuffling in the grasses.
We always park in the car park by the main cafe, open the boot and let the dogs jump out. We then head off past the kiddies play area (no dogs allowed) and diagonally right, towards the woods. Follow the edge of the woods with the woods on your left, and you’ll come to a metal gate. Enter the woods, and follow the main path. You’ll have a golf course on your right, and there’s a train line ahead (no danger) so be aware of train noises. There’s a little brook running along the edge of the woods, after a while you will cross this and head through the railway arches. Turn left and head into the field. You’ll see an old house in the corner of the field. Here, you can buy tea and coffee and various simple snacks. We have a Mr Kipling Bakewell Habit when we come here. There are a few picnic benches in the field, or you can go and sit within the garden with dogs under control. Not much room inside, this place is someone’s home, with the front room as a cafe. I love it. It’s like something from the 1940s, without the twee decoration. The family who run it open most of the year. And it’s very cheap. After your cuppa and snack, take the track towards the metal gate then head left, back under the railway arches. You’ll now be heading towards the car park again, but there are many paths to wander and fields to play in. Great for socialising dogs, everyone is so friendly.
Went here for the first time today. Parking is along Copt Oak Road, accessed near the Copt Oak pub. You might choose to turn around this dead end so you’re parking the right way to exit. Park near the railway bridge which you can see above you, and go up the steps. You’re on the Whistle Way, left or right you can walk for ages. There’s also fields running alongside, with the occasional access point, some with yellow markers. There aren’t amazing views, and if you’ve headed left you’ll be heading towards the noise of the motorway, which is why this is not a 5 star walk, but my three loved it. Plenty to sniff! Head right, and you can walk as far as Hawgrips garden centre in Enderby. It’s amazing what’s on your doorstep, only discovered with a dog. New word? ‘Dogscovery’.
As a Leicester girl, I’ve spent many an hour at Bradgate Park, in fact I now teach there too, in the visitors centre. Today we paid our £3 at Hunts Hill at 3pm and headed in. No deer in sight so dogs off lead. It’s vital your dog does not chase deer; rangers can shoot to protect the deer. You can walk round the entire perimeter, more or less, with about a fifth with leads compulsory, or just wander the many paths. With Old John as a landmark you won’t get lost. There are a couple of tea rooms and a brook. It’s absolutely gorgeous at the top of Old John on a blustery day, and you can see for miles! Fantastic historic sight, and former home of Lady Jane Grey, this park was left to the people of Leicester about a 100 years ago, sadly with pitiful funding, so please pay the £3 parking with a smile.
As I have a traffic reactive dog, the parking in lay-bys right next to a fast road gives this walk 4 stars not 5. It’s a case of sit tight til there’s a gap, then all hands on deck to get the dogs safety behind the gate. Once there, however, within a minute you’re in open fields and it’s very nice indeed. You can walk to Cossington by veering right, or to Sileby by veering left. Cossington is much closer, but is a very small village with no shops, whereas Sileby is quite far and not that easy to find. But either way, it’s nice countryside for a run around and you’re quickly away from the traffic.
Podtastic!
The Green Place has responded brilliantly to covid 19 and has created 10 unique ‘pods’ for covered outdoor dining. From The Confessional, which seats 2, to ‘The Festival Glade’ which seats 8, there is something quirky for everyone. We have tried Sunnyside, and Honey Cottage.
Pods are booked online, and most allow dogs. Your booking fee is taken off the food bill. It felt really safe, and dare I say it, normal!