We absolutely loved our trip to London last summer with Pedro! It was definitely the best trip to London ever. Exploring the city with a dog was such a fun experience. London is a very dog-friendly city, and the parks scattered throughout the city were fantastic. Not only were they well-maintained and spotlessly clean, but most of the visitors followed the rules and cleaned up after their dogs. Just make sure to keep an eye out for signs in areas that may require dogs to be on a leash or where they’re not allowed. We visited so many parks throughout the city, and these are our top favourites.
Hampstead Heath
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is one of the eight Royal Parks and is also one of the busiest parks in London. Despite its popularity, it remains very dog-friendly, making it an excellent destination to explore with your dog. Located within the borough of Westminster, Hyde Park covers more than 340 acres of land. The park is bordered on the east by Mayfair, and on the west by Kensington Gardens.
Dogs are welcome in all the Royal Parks although there are some places where they are not allowed or must be kept on a lead. These places are clearly indicated within each park and are usually ecologically sensitive sites, deer parks, children’s play areas, restaurants, cafes and some sports areas.
Victoria Park
Located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, in East London, Vicky Park (as it is known by the locals) is one of my favourite dog-friendly parks in London. It is a 218-acre public park with lots of green space and stunning gardens. There are many designated off leash/lead areas for your dog. Just make sure to follow the rules and keep your dog out of the gardens and children playgrounds.
The Regent’s Canal runs parallel to the western border of Victoria Park and is one of my favourite places to walk after letting Pedro run free in the park. The picturesque waterside walkway is full of colourful houseboats, and it’s a great way to see London. This walk leads to Broadway Market, a vibrant and bustling street filled with an array of shops, cafes, and eateries.
The Regent's Park
Located within the boroughs of Westminster and Camden, Regent’s Park covers over 410 acres. Dogs are allowed off-leash in a large area of the park, but they are required to be on a lead near the water and in marked areas.
From Regent’s Park, you can make your way to Primrose Hill, one of the six protected viewpoints in London. To get there, take the exit where Regent’s Park Road and Primrose Hill Road intersect. Dogs are allowed off-leash, but it gets very crowded in the summer.
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is not only a Royal Park but also located in Southeast London within the Royal Borough of Greenwich, covering 184 acres. Dogs are welcome in all the Royal Parks, although there are specific areas where they are not allowed or must be leashed.
If you plan to visit Greenwich Park, then also consider checking out Greenwich Market, located right outside the park. Greenwich Market is dog-friendly and operates seven days a week, opening at 10:00 am and closing at 5:30 pm.
