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Uk’s 21 Top Dog walks revealed!

21 top dog walks Hill’s Pet Nutrition and national tourism bodies EnjoyEngland, VisitScotland and VisitWales have revealed the UK’s 21 top dog walks following a nationwide search to highlight the importance of mobility for the nation’s dogs.

Following a public vote, walks in England, Scotland and Wales all scampered into the top 21 including favourite destinations such as London’s Richmond Park, Brancaster Beach and scenic Loweswater in the Lake District.

The show season can often take owners out of their local area into unknown territory leaving them unsure of where the best places are to exercise their dogs. Hill’s are appealing to those who have shows happening in their vicinity to nominate some good walks via www.21topdogwalks.co.uk. When the nominations are received Our Dogs will feature relevant walks in the lead up to various shows to ensure that those travelling outside of their usual dog walking territory are aware of walking routes located near to the show.

Tom Wright, chief executive of national tourism agency, VisitBritain says: “It’s great that Britain’s dog owners take such pride in their local areas. Many people travel within the UK so they can holiday or show their dogs and we hope that these 21 walks will be invaluable to dog owners who are visiting a new destination they haven’t explored before.”

Robert Gundry, consumer marketing manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, says: “Twenty per cent of dogs in the UK suffer from joint problems and the aim of this campaign was to highlight the importance of gentle exercise, together with a balanced diet to help improve mobility and encourage people to get out and about more with their dogs. The success of the campaign is very much dependent on the keenest and most responsible dog owners in the UK sharing their favourite walks. We are delighted with the effort that people made to nominate their walks last year and are hoping for even more this year.”

Some of the 21 top dog walks for 2007:

  • Balloch Castle Country Park, Scotland

  • Balmedie Beach, Scotland

  • Brancaster Beach, Norfolk

  • Cherwell Valley, Oxfordshire

  • Chesterfield Canal, Derbyshire

  • Hollingworth Lake, Rochdale, Lancashire

  • Ideford Common, Devon

  • Ladderedge Country Park, Leek, Staffordshire

  • Langdon Hill Wood, National Trust Golden Cap Estate, Dorset

  • Loweswater, Lake District, Cumbria

  • Malvern Hills, Worcestershire

  • Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, Rogerstone, Wales

  • Neigh Bridge to Somerford Keynes, Gloucestershire

  • Northwich Community Woodlands, Cheshire

  • Richmond Park, London

  • River Tweed, St Boswells, Scotland

  • Riverside Trail, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

  • Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire

  • The Downs, Avon

  • The Humber Foreshore and Waters' Edge, Lincolnshire

  • Wonderful Washlands, Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire

Here is a taster of one of the 21 winning walks: River Tweed, St Boswells; Country: Scotland

Difficulty: Easy

Duration: 1-1.5 hours

This walk starts in beautiful St. Boswells. The village is well serviced with a village shop and small supermarket for any last minute refreshments.

Start by walking down Jenny Moore's Road, carry on through the new housing development and take the first road to your left. Follow this around the back of the houses and you will see a sign for the River Tweed to your right. Follow this path to the end where it crosses a quiet road. Cross over the stile and follow the track that will take you past a sign for the St. Boswells Apple - one of Scotland's largest and oldest crab apple trees.

Continue on until the path crosses another. Take the path to the left here and you will walk alongside the River Tweed. Follow the woodland track into a field where your dog can really have a good run around and even a swim in the river.

You can see many different forms of wildlife including herons, swans and ducks and even the odd fisherman trying his hand on the river.

Carry on through the field and you will come to some steps, ensure your dog is safely on a lead here as you will be crossing a road. Go down the steps at the other side and continue following the path along. After 15 minutes or so you will come to St. Boswells golf course, which the path follows. Take the path that leads up past the club house and then right at the top of the hill.

Follow this path back to the village. Stop in the Buccleuch Arms Hotel for a drink or meal afterwards as they allow well behaved dogs.