MOO MOO & BEARS BEST DOG WALKS AROUND BRITAIN

MOO MOO & BEARS BEST DOG WALKS AROUND BRITAIN

Wednesday Walkies this week is in conjunction with last months Walk Your Dog Month. We canvassed our customers to see where both our's and their most popular walks are up and down the country and we want to share them with you.

CATBELLS - THE Lake District

A walk for everyone!

 

Now I confess, I'm no hill walker but this beautifully recognisable fell is very famous and easy enough for all the family to do, and boy I have seen everything go up and down this fell, from mountain bikes being carried on shoulders, little ones aged 3 and four in their full wet water kit overtaking me as I take yet another breather, and yes, the tourists in their Gucci pumps or high heels!
At 1480ft it is one of the most popular fells to summit, not the smallest but a great starting Wainright to 'bag'!

The panoramic views are stunningly breathtaking, and you can easily use this as your excuse as you stop once again to take in the 360* surrounding views. The walk for most starts from the Hawse End boat launch ( if available) but we always start our walk from Keswick walking through Portinscale with the peak of the fell in full view - time to prepare mentally for the challenge ahead.

 

The ascent itself starts with a steep zig zag path winding its way through the ferns up the nose of the ridge to the first summit of Skelgill Bank. From there, the intimidating summit of Catbells comes into view. A scramble along the path is required, but nothing technical before reaching the summit, but the rewards are worth the embarrassment of scrambling on your knees, especially if you suffer with vertigo!

After the obligatory photo and rest at the summit, it is a relatively easy descent (this way round at least). You can of course, continue down to Hawse Gate before deciding whether to continue on up Maiden Moor and High Spy, or descend down the bridle path to towards Derwent water. For those with legs that can manage a little more, the walk to the pretty hamlet of Grange is worth the extra steps for a cuppa and cake.

 SUPPORTING SCHNAUZERFEST IN THE Lake District

WEST WITTERING - West Sussex

It's most certainly a popular place to walk, just last week it played host to both a whippet and Weimaraner walk there, not forgetting numerous Schnauzerfest walks have been held over the years.

 

It's on our bucket list of places to visit, and in the interests of fair play, and not allowing the schnauzers to rule the entire blog, I asked the fabulous Kerry Jordan from Fur and Fables to tell us a little bit about why she loves to take her 5 hounds to West Wittering:

"At low tide, West Wittering has a massive expanse of flat sand for the best zoomies, pair that with the dunes and the cute beach huts and your dog has a plethora of places to explore and sniff!
Even off season, the East Head section is open for dogs, which is where the dunes are - and it’s not usually busy then either. I have to say, West Wittering, for me, is best off season anyway – it’s very rarely busy & we have witnessed many beautiful sunrises & sunsets there!"
Photo courtesy of Fur & Fables

http://westwitteringestate.co.uk

DOVEDALE - THE PEAK DISTRICT

On the 3rd weekend of May each year, the song of the schnauzer (and what a beautiful song it is) is very much alive and well in the beautiful location of Dovedale in the heart of the Peak District. Over 200 schnauzers of varying sizes, colours and vocality desend on the beautiful valley of Dovedale for the Annual Schnauzer Walk.

 

 

The 6 mile walk explores the limestone gorge from Dovedale and finishing in Milldale before returning. There are two routes at the start, one for the brave and the bold (the stepping stones) and one more suited to the mountain goat. It's a perfect walk for dogs and their humans alike, with plenty of spots to take in the beauty, paddle in the river or stop for a snack along the walk which includes steps, boardwalks, and ancient woodlands amongst stunning rock formations.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ilam-park-dovedale-and-the-white-peak/features/visiting-dovedale

The Northumberland Coastline

 

There does seem to be an occurring theme with these walks, natural expanse of beautiful beach, married with the excitement of natural dunes to explore. The Northumberland coastline does not disappoint. So many beautiful dog friendly beaches, from Holly Island, Bamburgh and down to Druridge Bay, we simply couldn't name just one. The greatest way to enjoy these beaches is simply just to get out there and explore them.

 

 

Holly island itself, makes a great day out (tides dependant to cross via the causeway), even more so by the causeway crossing, and the excitement and adventure of being totally cut off from the main land. The island itself is dominated by Lindisfarne Castle, perched high upon a rock face. The walk from the main village and around the castle is wild but beautiful, more of a meander, finding your own places to explore. But beyond the small populated hamlet you can again find vast beaches with not a pebble in sight.

Wells to Holkam - North Norfolk Coast

Last but most certainly not least is the beautiful Wells to Holkham and beyond. We first experienced this beach when we spent the week in Wells when we came to visit Minny Bear at the breeders, she's a Norfolk lass (with Northern blood). We fell in love and have spent a week here every year since and cannot count the endless times we have enjoyed a walk on this beautiful stretch of the North Norfolk Coastal Path.

 

The beach is vast, so much so you, you often don't need to share with others along your walk. With beautiful pine forests as a back drop, natural dunes for never ending exploring and beautiful white sands heading out to the sea, this is the perfect British dog walk.

The girls love to explore the dunes, and play undisturbed along the sand. There is even the bonus of a refreshment stop at The Victoria Inn, my favourite pub stop ever for a well deserved G&T, lunch and even handmade doggy biscuits before returning, which can be along the beach or take the back route through the pinewoods and all the excitement this rich environment can offer.

https://greatbritishdogwalks.com/2018/04/09/wells-next-the-sea-to-holkham-circular-walk/

We would love to know if you have enjoyed any of our walks featured or do indeed have some favourites that you would like to share with us.

Woofs

Moo Moo & Bear

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