The Most Scenic Dog Friendly Walks in Greater Manchester
What’s not to love about Manchester?
Once the centre of the UK’s industrial revolution, Manchester now best known for its influential music scene, vibrant nightlife, footballing greatness and a strong local economy, Manchester really is a North Powerhouse in every sense.
And it’s also a bit of a haven for us doggy people too, boasting to some of the most scenic dog friendly walks for us and our pooches in the North of England.
Read on for some of the most scenic walks in Greater Manchester that are not just breathtakingly beautiful but steeped in a rich history too.
Dove Stone Reservoir is located on the edge of Oldham and the Peak District and supplies the drinking water to the local area as well as having plenty of walks to tire out our 4-legged babies. It’s a fab day out for families as there is also a sailing club and an orienteering course too!
It gets extra points from Wooflinks as it has an easy access path that is suitable for wheelchairs and prams which goes around the reservoir where you can stop off at Chew Brook for your dog to explore the rocks and have a paddle in the stream.
For the more adventurous pooch, there are two more reservoirs for you to explore: Greenfield and Yeoman Hey. From these, you can take in the views of Saddleworth Moor, and you may even be lucky enough to spot the peregrine falcons. Depending which day you go, the RSPB may even be on hand with telescopes so you can get a real good look!
Dove Stone is open all year round making it a definite to do with your dogs. There are toilets, pay and display car parks but it’s also accessible if you reply on public transport, either bus or train.
Technically not in Manchester but just a short car journey away, the 1400 acres of Lyme Park is situated south of Disley in Cheshire. It’s managed by the National Trust and is a large estate that consists of a mansion house encircled by beautiful formal gardens, forests and woodlands, a deer park, and a play area for our non-dog children.
Lyme Park welcomes our furry friends with open paws. They have a special place in the history of the park too as dogs always lived happily alongside the Legh family, who left Lyme Park to the National Trust.
Dogs are permitted in every area of the park, the only place off limits is inside the mansion house. There are walks to accommodate all ability and adventurous levels, and depending on the time of year, dogs are permitted off lead. These rules are in place to protect the vast wildlife that can be found in the park, including deer and young ground-nesting birds. However, Knightslow Wood is an area of the park that is secure and allows dogs off-lead all year round.
Lyme Park has plenty of provisions for our pooches including water bowls and dog bins. There are delicious refreshments for the humans too in the Timber Yard Café. Due to the size and layout of the café, dogs aren’t permitted inside but there’s plenty of outdoor seating and shelter so it can accommodate you whatever the weather.
Located in Knutsford, which is another short car journey out of Manchester, Tatton Park consists of 2000 acres of stunning countryside, a mansion house, deer park, café and play areas. Historically, Tatton was the home to the Egerton family for over 400 years, before being bequeathed to the National Trust in 1958 for the nation to enjoy.
Tatton is a super day out for the family with a number of events and activities taking place throughout the year. Of course, it’s completely dog friendly and hosts DogFest once a year!
It’s important to note if Tatton is on your dog walking bucket list, that it is home to wildlife and livestock, and so keeping your dog on lead is advised. Additionally, dogs should not be encouraged to bathe or paddle in the Meres or any of the other Tatton Park waters. This is mainly for conservation reasons but also to err on the side of caution for health and safety purposes too as they may be home to toxic blooms or blue-green algae.
That being said, there are a number of walks to be enjoyed by you and your furry friend whilst taking in the stunning surroundings. You can choose from a 2.5 mile stroll along Tatton’s beautiful Mere that you get to via the Dog Wood entrance, or you can continue onto the circular walk in which you’ll cover 5.5 miles around the parkland. This will take you around 2 hours and ensure a good snooze when you get home!
Heaton Park is a stone’s throw from Manchester City Centre and is a historic area that offers a fun day out for all ages – both dog and human.
Heaton Park is the largest park in Manchester, and also the largest municipal park in Europe, covering 600 acres. It consists of play areas, cafes, an Animal Centre, boating lake and Heaton Hall, an 18th Century neoclassical Grade I listed building.
You and your furry friend can enjoy all that Heaton Park has to offer on an easy, 3 mile walk that should take you around 1.5 hours to complete. Start the walk by heading up towards Heaton Hall and follow the path around the wooded hill that will take you up to Heaton Park Temple. On this ramble, you’ll pass the orangery, The Stables Café, the Animal Centre, walk along the stream and through beautiful woodland. You’ll also walk along the boating lake and pass the Heaton Park Tramway.
This is a light and simple walk to be enjoyed by the full family and take in all that Heaton Park has to offer.
Heaton Park is easily reachable via the Metrolink Tram (Heaton Park tram stop) or has plenty of parking if travelling by car.
Clayton Vale is an area of green space in Clayton through which the River Medlock flows. It is steeped in a rich social and industrial history. The land was redeveloped in 1986 and is now a natural habitat for plenty of wildlife and has been designated a Local Nature Reserve. It covers approximately four-square miles and is the definition of urban countryside.
Clayton Vale is a lovely place to be enjoyed by all members of the family with its woodland, riverside walks and mountain bike trails to be explored… and sniffed.
It’s a popular spot for dog walkers and there is a nice and easy, flat walk to be enjoyed along the River Medlock. The walk is pathed, so accessible for prams and wheelchairs and there are safe areas for some off-lead action too. You can expect to see wildlife in the form of butterflies, dragonflies, squirrels and many, many different birds. You’ll find refreshments and picnic spots along the way, a perfect leisurely walk for all and a guaranteed waggy tail!
So, which of these do you and your pooch fancy exploring next? Let us know where you’ve been and what your experience was in the comments below. Pics of your pooch taking in the scenery actively encouraged.
Need more walkies inspo? Check out our full listing of delightful dog walks on our Wooflinks’ Dog Friendly Walks page.
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