Rex and the City: London Walks and Safe Socialising With Your Pooch

When it comes to our furry-friends, there is nothing quite like the mention of walkies to stir up a flurry of excitement, as they eagerly await their next adventure. Dogs are curious creatures who love to explore their surroundings, taking in every sound, sight and smell whilst out on their daily walk. Where these used to be plentiful, the outbreak of COVID-19 and the resulting government measures that followed, changed the routines of both pets and owners alike.

In much of the world, lockdown measures are now being eased, and the UK is no exception. Some normality is returning with businesses and public spaces reopening across the country, seven months after COVID-19 began to spread across the globe.

Here at YuMOVE, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best dog-friendly venues as well as some of the most remote walking locations, to support every dog owner in socialising and exercising their pup after lockdown.

Socialising with your pup after lockdown

Bars, cafes and restaurants were given the greenlight by the Government to re-open on 4th July, with one metre plus distancing in place - this included thousands of pubs, allowing small groups to socialise over a cold beverage in public for the first time since lockdown began.

But as you get to meet up with friends and have your social life resume, your pup who has had your undivided attention for the past few months could be faced with separation anxiety.

Dogs love having company and spending time with their humans or socialising with other dogs can drastically lift their mood. It also helps to provide mental stimulation and assists in behavioural training. A trip to the pub can be a great social activity for both you and your dog.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best dog-friendly pubs in and around London which both you and your canine can enjoy together:

• The Hand in Hand, Wimbledon
• The Coach Makers Arms, Marleybone
• Alice House, West Hampstead
• Brewdog, Clapham
• The Brown Dog, Barnes
• The Crown and Two Chairmen, Soho
• The Thomas Cubitt, Belgravia
• The Narrow Boat, Islington
• The Kenton, Hackney
• The White Hart, Barnes
• The Princess Victoria, Shepherd’s Bush
• The Westbourne, Notting Hill
• The Avalon, Balham
• The Orchard, Brockley
• The Abbeville, Clapham

But after months of quarantine and social distancing, it’s understandable that some people are anxious about introducing themselves - and their pets - to the new normal

Rex and the City: Best Socially Distanced Dog Dog Walks in London Mapped

According to the PDSA, there are an estimated 10.2 million pet dogs across the UK, with 27% of the adult population owning one. That’s a lot of dogs that need walking! For those surrounded by countryside and open spaces, a walk with the dog may sound like well, a walk in the park. But for those living in built-up cities like London, where is the safest place to walk your pooch as lockdown measures begin to ease?

We analysed data from Walkiees, Google and YouGov to reveal the most remote dog walking hotspots in and around London.

Revealed: Peckham Rye Park and Common in Southwark is the most remote dog walk in London

We analysed data from Walkiees to find all of the walking routes located within London, which could be attributed to a London borough. We looked at features such as the overall walk rating on Walkiees, the population of dogs within London and the facilities available on route, to create an average ranking score.

The facilities we looked at included:

• Free Parking
• Paid Parking
• Off Lead Areas
• On Lead Areas
• Pathed Routes
• Animals on Route
• Picnic Areas
• Water on Route
• Toilets
• Refreshments Available
• Wheelchair Friendly

Of the 135 dog walking routes we analysed, below were the top 10 walking routes available in London

With 1 being the highest possible rank, coming up top is the Peckham Rye Park and Common walk located in Southwark with an overall rating of 1.7. This walk spans 113 acres of open space, which is made up of grassland, ornamental and water gardens, a lake and woodland. It received a rating of 2 on Walkiees for the route itself and the highest possible rank for the features on offer; boasting off-lead areas, pathed routes, picnic areas, toilets, water and refreshments, and the fact that it is wheelchair accessible.

With only 12.20% of households owning a dog in Southwark, this route received a rating of 2 for pet ownership, suggesting that although dog-friendly, this route is the most remote walking route in London!