Skip to main content
Woodland Trust Woodland Trust home page Become a member

Walking dogs in our woods

Dogs are welcome for walkies in our woods. Take a look at our tips and guidelines for ensuring we keep our woods safe and special for dogs and wildlife.

There is nothing better than a woodland walk with your canine companion.

Credit: alexei_tm / iStock.com

Woods are a great place to bond with your dog.

Credit: GLimages / iStock.com

Follow our dog walking guidelines to ensure both your dog and our wildlife are kept safe.

Credit: iStockPhoto.com / Cunfek

We all know how much dogs love a walk around the woods. Our woods are sure to get tails wagging: they're packed full of smells to sniff out, areas to play fetch in and adventures to uncover.

There are a few things to bear in mind before bringing your dog along to our woods to ensure the safety of your furry friend as well as the preservation of wildlife.

Our dog walking code of conduct

  1. Please keep your dog in sight, under control and where signposted, on a lead.
  2. Keep your dog on a short lead in areas with livestock and ground-nesting birds, particularly during nesting season (usually March-July).
  3. Ensure your dog is trained in basic recall. If not, please keep them on a lead at all times.
  4. Stick to paths when walking your dog to protect precious ground flora and tree roots. 
  5. Clear up after your dog and take any waste home with you if you can't find a bin. 
  6. Be respectful of other wood users, including other dogs. If the dog approaching is on a lead, put yours on a lead too.
  7. If the weather's warm, please provide your dog with water if you are planning a long walk.