Whether you’re looking for somewhere different to take your pooch or you’re a dog owner in waiting, we’ve rounded up all the best canine-friendly places to visit in London…
Living in London can be a double-edged sword if you’re a dog-lover. Hit up the right places and there are plenty of pooches to pet and vicariously live your dog ownership dreams through other people.
And if you’re lucky enough to own a four-legged friend of your own, you’ll be aware that London isn’t known for its generous living spaces. So, once you’ve got your lead and PetPlan insurance, you need to find interesting places to take your BFF.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up all the best ways to get your dog fix in the city.
1. Head to London's only dog beach
If you thought you couldn’t get the Tube to the beach, think again.
Ruislip Lido is a 60-acre lake with its very own dog beach. It’s the perfect place to pitch up for the day with a blanket and a book, and make some new dog friends.
The beach is based on the edge of Ruislip Woods and has the added benefit of its own cafe, meaning you can stay stocked up on ice cream.
The perfect pooch set-up for summer days.
2. Visit a dog-friendly cinema
You don’t need to be outside to make a new furry friend.
In fact, you don’t even need to compromise on your favourite bad weather activity.
London’s Picturehouse cinemas have realised that a good film + a comfy chair + a dog’s company is the dream Sunday combination and frequently run dog-friendly viewings.
Seats are covered with blankets to eliminate hairy situations while there are doggy bowls of water to keep pups hydrated.
3. Drink with dogs
If you’ve ever been on a sunny rooftop mid-cocktail and thought, ‘You know what would make this experience even better? A dog to pet’ your wishes have been answered.
Not only is Hackney’s Netil360 one of the best rooftop bars in London, it also has its own resident dog called Tres who wanders the premises.
Other well-behaved dogs are free to join their owners on the roof, making it a must-visit drinking spot for dog owner and dog fans alike.
4. Go gardening
If you live in London, chances are you don’t have the luxury of your own garden.
In fact, you’re more likely to have a patch of heavily polluted pavement - just call it the charm of living in the capital.
Dalston Curve is a free neighbourhood garden just over the road from Dalston Junction station and it’s like an oasis of greenery, wood-fired pizza and dogs.
Four-legged friends are free to roam the garden as long as they steer clear of the veg patches (for obvious reasons).
5. Check out some ponds
Hampstead Heath is where every Londoner takes their pond pilgrimage, which makes sense when you consider that the place has over 30 ponds.
If you usually go to the swimming pond solo, why not venture from your usual spot and find one of the heath’s dog-friendly pools.
Fresh air, green space and doggy paddles aplenty. What else could you possibly need?
Before you go anywhere with your dog, make sure you have the right cover with PetPlan pet insurance to avoid surprise vet bills
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