An independently researched London guide
8 of the best dog walks in London
Choose a route by distance, terrain and current dog rules, from a 2.4 km woodland loop to Richmond Park’s full seven-mile trail.
Researched by Pet StorybookDetails verified 28 August 2026
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Which London dog walk fits today?
Eight London walks worth saving and sharing
These are eight of London’s most beautiful ways to trade traffic and pavements for ancient woodland, open heath, riverside paths and huge skyline views. Pick the mood that fits today, then save the next one for another free morning.
Every walk includes a map you can open, the distance and ground underfoot, the easiest place to begin and the dog rules worth knowing. Send the guide to the person who always says yes to one more loop.
Richmond A proper half-day outing and wide-open views
Richmond Park, Tamsin Trail
- Distance
- About 11 km (7 miles)
- Time
- Allow 2 to 4 hours
- Ground
- Mixed and sometimes uneven, with gradual climbs
- Start
- Richmond Gate, beside the Richmond Gate toilets
The route
The Tamsin Trail follows the park boundary, so it is unusually easy to navigate for a long London walk. The full loop gives you grassland, woodland edges, distant city views and several chances to shorten the day by crossing the park. Keep enough time for pauses around the deer herds rather than trying to thread through them.
Open the official Tamsin Trail mapWhat dog owners need to know
Dogs can normally be off lead when they are under close control and kept safely away from deer. The whole park has a compulsory lead period from 1 May to 31 July. Leads are also required in signed skylark areas and near deer and ponds. Dogs are welcome on a short lead in Isabella Plantation, but not in Pembroke Lodge Gardens.
Before you go
The Tamsin Trail is circular, so you can join it at another gate, but Richmond Gate is the clearest chosen start for this guide. Pedestrian gates are generally open around the clock. Vehicle access and closing times change seasonally, so check the park page on the day. Take water because the full circuit is long, and use the signed crossings carefully where the trail meets park roads.
Watch for: Deer are wild. The Royal Parks advises keeping at least 50 metres away, and 100 metres during the autumn rut where possible.
Hampstead Big skyline views in a short, hilly walk
Hampstead Heath, Parliament Hill and Tumulus trail
- Distance
- 2.5 km (1.6 miles)
- Time
- About 45 to 60 minutes
- Ground
- Unmade paths, slopes and mud after rain
- Start
- Parliament Hill Café, on Parliament Hill Fields
The route
This official trail links the Parliament Hill viewpoint with quieter heath paths and the Tumulus. It feels much wilder than its distance suggests. Add a loop around the open grassland if your dog still has energy, or keep it compact when the paths are wet.
Open the official Parliament Hill trailWhat dog owners need to know
Dogs must be under effective control. If off lead, they should return when called. Use a lead whenever control is uncertain and follow the mapped or signed lead-only and dog-free zones around sensitive habitats and facilities.
Before you go
Gospel Oak and Hampstead Heath are the nearest useful stations. The hills and unmade ground make this a poor choice for wheels after wet weather. The official Heath map is worth opening before you set out because dog restrictions vary by area rather than by one park-wide rule.
Watch for: The viewpoint and main paths can be busy at weekends. Choose an early start for a dog that finds crowds difficult.
Buckhurst Hill A gentle woodland circuit with less route planning
Epping Forest, Rowan Trail
- Distance
- 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
- Time
- 45 to 60 minutes
- Ground
- Mainly flat, with one gentle slope and uneven ground
- Start
- Knighton Wood Car Park, off Knighton Lane
The route
Follow the waymarked Rowan Trail through Knighton Wood for a manageable taste of Epping Forest. It is a better first visit than inventing a long forest loop, because the official route has a clear start and published directions.
Open the official Rowan Trail mapWhat dog owners need to know
Keep your dog under effective control. Use a lead when recall is unreliable, around grazing animals and wherever seasonal signs request it. Dogs must not chase wildlife, cattle, deer or horses.
Before you go
Buckhurst Hill and Roding Valley stations are both roughly 0.5 km from the woods. Woodland ground can stay wet even after the streets have dried. Check your dog for ticks afterwards, avoid any water with harmful-algae warnings and keep to surfaced sections if recent rain has made the trail slippery.
Watch for: Epping Forest is much larger than this route. Download the official Rowan Trail before leaving rather than relying on mobile signal in the woods.
Wimbledon Heathland, woodland and a flexible south-west London ramble
Wimbledon Common, Windmill and Queensmere circuit
- Distance
- Roughly 4 to 5 km, depending on your paths
- Time
- Allow 75 to 100 minutes
- Ground
- Woodland and heath paths that can become muddy
- Start
- Windmill Car Park, beside Wimbledon Windmill
The route
Use the Windmill as your anchor, then make a broad circuit towards Queensmere and back through the common. Open the Conservators map and choose the paths that best suit the ground and your dog, while avoiding the golf course.
Open the official Wimbledon Common mapWhat dog owners need to know
Dogs can usually be off lead under control. The Plain is lead-only from 1 March to 31 August, and Queensmere from 1 April to 31 August. Keep dogs out of ponds from 1 April to 31 August. Groups are limited to four dogs, and dogs must not disturb horses or golfers.
Before you go
The Windmill car park is convenient but can fill quickly. Public transport plus a longer approach is often calmer on sunny weekends. Expect horses, runners and golfers as well as other dogs.
Watch for: Seasonal signs take priority over this guide. The Commons combine recreation with protected habitat, golf and horse riding.
Greenwich A compact landmark walk with a dramatic London view
Greenwich Park, dog-safe viewpoint loop
- Distance
- Roughly 3.5 to 4.5 km
- Time
- Allow 60 to 90 minutes
- Ground
- Mostly firm paths with a steep climb to the viewpoint
- Start
- St Mary’s Gate, on the town-centre side of Greenwich Park
The route
Climb towards the General Wolfe viewpoint, then loop through the broad park avenues while staying outside the dog-free formal spaces. Keep the official park map open so you can enjoy the skyline route without drifting into the Flower Garden, deer paddock or Observatory Garden.
Open the official Greenwich Park mapWhat dog owners need to know
Dogs can generally be off lead under control. They are not allowed in the Flower Garden, Wilderness Deer Paddock or Royal Observatory Garden. Keep to the public viewpoint area rather than entering restricted gardens.
Before you go
Greenwich and Maze Hill stations give straightforward approaches to St Mary’s Gate. Blackheath Gate is a useful alternative if you want to begin at the top and reduce the climb. The Pavilion Café welcomes dogs on a short lead and has an accessible toilet.
Watch for: This park is busy with tourists, cyclists and families. Keep your dog close around the viewpoint and main avenue crossings.
Tower Hamlets A long, mostly accessible park circuit
Victoria Park, Avenue Perimeter Walk
- Distance
- 4.7 km (2.9 miles)
- Time
- 65 to 75 minutes
- Ground
- Mostly even paths, with an accessible alternative
- Start
- Pavilion Café, just inside Crown Gate West
The route
The official Avenue Perimeter Walk makes a satisfying lap of both halves of Victoria Park. It is long enough to feel like an outing without complex navigation. Follow the published accessible diversion around the bandstand clump if the uneven section does not suit you or your dog.
Open the Avenue Perimeter Walk mapWhat dog owners need to know
Dogs are welcome in the park but not in children’s play areas. Follow local signs around sports, events and planted spaces, and keep your dog close on the busier central paths.
Before you go
Mile End and Cambridge Heath are useful approaches to the west side. Hackney Wick is another useful rail approach, especially for the east side. The park opens at 7am and closes at dusk, with cafés and accessible toilets available.
Watch for: The perimeter shares space with runners and cyclists. A short lead is sensible through narrow or crowded stretches even where it is not compulsory.
Battersea A flat riverside walk with easy transport
Battersea Park, dog-safe perimeter circuit
- Distance
- Roughly 3.5 to 4 km
- Time
- About 55 to 75 minutes
- Ground
- Mostly flat surfaced paths
- Start
- Chelsea Gate, beside Chelsea Bridge
The route
Follow the Thames promenade and broad outer paths to make a simple circuit, using the council dog-control map to skirt excluded interiors. The lake and gardens make the park attractive, but the useful dog route is around them rather than through every feature.
Open the official Battersea Park dog mapWhat dog owners need to know
Dogs are excluded from all water bodies, play areas, enclosed sport and fitness areas, Promontory Garden, the Old English Garden, Peace Pagoda, zoo and several other enclosed facilities. Check the official dog-free list and signs before leaving the perimeter paths.
Before you go
Battersea Power Station and Battersea Park stations offer easy arrivals. The flat layout suits a slower day, but event closures can change available paths.
Watch for: Do not assume that open gates mean a garden or facility is dog-friendly. The council’s current exclusions are more detailed than a single park-wide rule.
Regent’s Park A central London circuit with an optional hill finish
Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill outer route
- Distance
- About 5.3 km (3.3 miles), plus the Primrose Hill extension
- Time
- Allow 80 to 120 minutes
- Ground
- Broad paths, largely level until Primrose Hill
- Start
- Chester Gate, on the south-east side of Regent’s Park
The route
Use the official 3.3-mile park perimeter as the backbone, avoiding the formal dog-free gardens and the boating-lake edge. Add Primrose Hill if your dog is comfortable with a busier climb for one of the best skyline finishes in central London.
Open the official Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill mapWhat dog owners need to know
Dogs can generally be off lead under control, but not in Avenue Gardens, English Gardens, Queen Mary’s Gardens, St John’s Lodge Garden or around the boating lake. Follow temporary signs and keep close control around wildlife and crowded entrances.
Before you go
Regent’s Park and Baker Street stations are the most useful approaches to Chester Gate. St John’s Wood is a useful alternative for the west side. The park has toilets, cafés and disabled parking. Primrose Hill can have seasonal overnight closures, so check the current Royal Parks page if planning a late walk.
Watch for: Formal gardens are a major part of the visitor map but not part of a dog route. Plan around them rather than discovering the exclusions at their gates.
Getting there without a car
Taking your dog on London transport
TfL allows dogs to travel free. Keep your dog on a lead, do not place them on a seat and use the wide gate at stations. Dogs must not walk on escalators, so use a lift or stairs, or carry them where that is safe and practical.
TfL guidance for travelling with dogsUseful questions
Before you choose a London dog walk
Where can dogs walk off lead in London?
Several walks in this guide normally allow off-lead dogs under effective control, including parts of Richmond Park, Hampstead Heath, Wimbledon Common, Greenwich Park and Regent’s Park. Every one has exceptions. Seasonal lead zones, wildlife, formal gardens, water and playgrounds make the entry-specific rules more useful than a city-wide answer.
Which route is best after heavy rain?
Victoria Park or Battersea Park are the safer starting points because their suggested circuits are mostly on surfaced, flatter paths. Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest and Wimbledon Common can stay muddy. Conditions still vary, so check the park’s current notices.
Which walk is easiest by public transport?
Battersea Park, Greenwich Park, Victoria Park and Hampstead Heath all have straightforward station approaches. Epping Forest’s Rowan Trail is also unusually practical, with Buckhurst Hill station close to Knighton Woods.
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