Skip to main content

The charity making life better by water

Dog-friendly walks near me

When it comes to stretching all four legs, our canals are a canine’s best friend. Read on to discover our suggestions for dog-friendly towpath walks and some tips to ensure everyone has a relaxing time by the water.

Dogs walking by the canal

In the heart of the city and out in the countryside, waterways have always been popular places to take a stroll. And with over 2,000 miles of canals and rivers to explore, there's plenty of room for everyone. So if your dog's as polite and respectful as you are, then grab that lead and take to the towpath for some dog-friendly walks.

Placeholder for quotes
"All dogs enjoy a long walk and exploring with their noses, so all the smells – people, boats and animals - are wonderful for environment enrichment.”

Here are few ways to make sure everyone has a good time:

  • Keep your dog on a short lead around busy spots like locks and bridges
  • Make sure they're wearing a collar with an ID tag
  • Please pick up anything your dog might drop and pop it in a bin

And we're sorry, but however tempting it might be, we can't let dogs swim in the canals. Think of the ducks.

Paula Boyden, deputy veterinary director at the Dogs Trust says: “Many dog owners enjoy taking their dogs for walks along the canals and rivers because it is generally quite quiet. Many city-dwellers find the peaceful nature of the waterways a wonderful escape from the hustle and the bustle of the city. All dogs enjoy a long walk and exploring with their noses, so all the smells – people, boats and animals - are wonderful for environment enrichment.”

Staying safe

During the winter, it's especially important to keep your dog on a lead when enjoying a walk. Dogs can easily get distracted by ducks and geese and if the canal is frozen they can run onto what they think is solid ground.

If your dog does go into the water, don't jump in after it, instead:

  • Keep your voice calm and encourage your dog to swim over to you where you can lift them out more safely
  • If they are unable to do this, try to reach them with a line or long branch
Nigel and his dogs at Marple Locks

Dog-friendly sites on the canals

All these places to go welcome dogs and are provided with dog waste bins. Some may require dogs to be on leads. This list is not exhaustive, these are just some of our favourites.

This Local Nature Reserve consists of a series of lakes, surrounded by woods and grassland, next to the Grand Union Canal. The lakes were formed when disused gravel pits filled naturally with water and there are a variety of walking routes, including a nature trail.

Fradley Junction is where the Trent & Mersey Canal meets the Coventry Canal. There are a number of walking routes around the site, with information boards giving an insight into the canal's history.

This famous flight of ten locks on the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line is the centre of a popular site for walkers, where visitors can view the historic Foxton Inclined Plane – a pioneering boat lift from the early 20th century – and spend time spotting wildlife around the side ponds that supply the locks with water. Dogs should be kept on the lead around the lock and the inclined plane, but there are plenty of off-lead walks nearby. Both the pubs and the café on site have dog-friendly areas.

This picturesque spot on the Grand Union Canal was once known as the ‘stairway to heaven' by boatmen. The flight was widened in the 1930s and the old narrow locks can still be seen alongside the new ones. A walk here is a great chance to watch the boats go by, and the area is well-provided with dog waste bins at locks 26, 36, 41, 43 and 45.

This two-and-a-half-mile long lake was created to keep the West Midlands canal network supplied with water, and is now a popular leisure attraction for water sports, fishing and, of course, dog walking. The distance around the lake is about five miles, or, if you want to venture further afield, you can join the Staffordshire Way, which runs along the western side of the lake.

This Grade I listed structure dates back to the 18th century and is the steepest flight of locks in the UK. It is a staircase lock, meaning that the lower gate of one lock forms the upper gate of the next. A boat going through the locks is an impressive sight often draws a crowd of walkers who have stopped to watch. Dogs can be off the lead along this stretch of canal, but it is recommended that they be kept on the lead by the locks themselves.

The only remaining interchange between a canal and a tramway, this historic site at the head of the Peak Forest Canal has been restored and is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. A heritage trail with information boards guides visitors around the canal, tramways, warehouses and wharves. Dogs are allowed on the towpath on the lead.

404

We'd love to tell you more

Our newsletter is packed full of exciting updates and stories of how our charity keeps canals alive.

Last Edited: 04 January 2023

photo of a location on the canals
newsletter logo

Stay connected

Sign up to our monthly newsletter and be the first to hear about campaigns, upcoming events and fundraising inspiration