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Ahoy! 10 Dog Friendly Boats and Boating Destinations

updated 05/08/2023, 9:41 pm

The UK offers a plethora of stunning waterways and picturesque coastal spots, making it an ideal destination for pet parents looking to enjoy a dog friendly boat ride or a dog friendly boat to hire for a one of a kind holiday with their furry friends. From serene rivers to captivating canals and breathtaking coastlines, there are numerous dog-friendly boat ride options available. In this article, we’ll explore ten such delightful destinations across the UK that are not only setting sail but also extending a warm welcome to those with tails!

Norfolk Broads, Dog Friendly Boats

The Norfolk Broads, a network of rivers, lakes, and wetlands, is a boater’s paradise. With ample space for dogs to explore and beautiful scenery all around, it’s a perfect spot for a dog-friendly boat adventure. Many boat operators in the area gladly accept well-behaved dogs onboard, so you and your furry friend can sail through the picturesque waterways together.

Lake Windermere, Lake District

Lake Windermere, England’s largest natural lake, is a true gem nestled in the enchanting Lake District National Park. Several boat tour companies here have dog-friendly policies,  Dogs travel for free on all Windermere Lake Cruises   allowing you and your canine companion to soak in the majestic beauty of the surrounding fells and forests while cruising on the lake.

River Thames, London

For those seeking a unique dog-friendly boat ride experience in the heart of London, the River Thames offers a fantastic opportunity. Several sightseeing cruises welcome dogs, allowing you to marvel at iconic landmarks like Big Ben, the Tower Bridge, and the London Eye, all while your dog enjoys the fresh breeze from the water.

Kennet and Avon Canal, Wiltshire

The Kennet and Avon Canal boasts scenic beauty, tranquil settings, and historic locks. This dog-friendly waterway stretches across Wiltshire, offering a relaxing boat ride experience with your furry friend by your side. Be sure to visit the stunning Caen Hill Locks for an unforgettable adventure.

Cornwall is a haven for dog lovers. With many boat operators offering dog-friendly cruises, you and your pet can explore the serene waters of the Helford rivers, or try their paw at dolphin spotting on the ferry  or even take a day trip to  the Isles of Scilly

Loch Lomond, Scotland

Loch Lomond, the largest freshwater loch in Scotland, provides a spectacular backdrop for a dog-friendly boat ride. Several operators permit dogs onboard, and you can revel in the breathtaking views of rolling hills and enchanting islands as you cruise along the tranquil waters.

Broads National Park, Suffolk Dog-approved boat rentals

Similar to the Norfolk Broads, the Broads National Park in Suffolk offers scenic waterways and wetlands, making it a popular destination for dog-friendly boat rides. With several boat hire options available, you and your furry friend can embark on a relaxing journey surrounded by nature’s beauty.

River Wye, Wales

The River Wye, meandering through the stunning Wye Valley, offers an idyllic setting for a dog-friendly boat trip. You can take a guided cruise or hire a self-drive boat to explore the lush riverbanks, historic bridges, and picturesque villages of this charming region. The wye valley cruises allow dogs for £1

Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

Step into the world of William Shakespeare and enjoy a dog-friendly boat ride in Stratford-upon-Avon. The River Avon runs through this historic town, and various boat operators allow well-behaved dogs on their trips. Marvel at the riverside scenery and pass by famous landmarks related to the Bard himself.

Llangollen Canal, Wales

The Llangollen Canal, located in the picturesque Welsh countryside, is a dog-friendly paradise for boating enthusiasts. With breathtaking aqueducts and peaceful surroundings, you and your dog can revel in a tranquil and scenic boat ride experience.

Whether you prefer the peaceful rivers and canals or the scenic coastal routes, these ten places ensure a delightful experience for both you and your dog. Remember to check the safety regulations and sailing times of each boat operator before setting sail to make the most of your adventure together. So, pack your bags, grab your pup, and embark on a pawsome boat journey across the beautiful UK waters- No doggy paddle needed!

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Dog-friendly London

• March 29, 2019
• Thames River Sightseeing

Just because you’re planning a trip to Central London, it doesn’t mean to say you have to leave the family dog at home. You’d be surprised by the number of pooch-friendly activities and events that go on in the UK’s capital – some of which sound barking mad!

They include trips to the cinema, murder mysteries, food festivals, beer festivals, yoga, meditation, swimming, jogging and, of course, walkies!

Here’s our guide to dog-friendly activities in London:

Public Transport

According to Transport for London, you can take your dog on public transport if it’s well behaved – if it seems dangerous, TfL drivers have the right to refuse to carry it. Dogs must be kept on a lead and are not allowed on the seats. Dogs must always be carried on moving escalators for their own safety – so if you have a large dog, use the stairs, or a lift if there is one.

If you want to hail a taxi, be aware that it is at the driver’s discretion whether they take your pet dog. Alternatively, search online for one of the many pet-friendly taxi services there are in London.

Dogs love boats as much as humans, and we love having canines aboard, so treat the whole family to a river cruise with us or our sister company, Thames River Services. We’ll have its tail wagging in no time!

Dog-friendly cafés and restaurants

A swift Google search shows up many dog-friendly places to eat along the Circular Cruise’s route. Restaurants like the National Theatre’s Green Room (nearest pier: Festival), or the Table Café in Southwark (nearest pier: Bankside).

Dog-friendly hotels

If you are planning to spend a few days in London, many hotels advertise themselves as being dog-friendly so they can enjoy a city break too! You’ll find a range of kennels that’ll suit the whole pack, from budget hotels to five-star pampered pet luxury.

A useful website that’s worth checking out if you’re planning to take your dog to London is The Londog. This is where you’ll find out all about pup-friendly attractions and events, as well as articles about making your trip pawfect for the whole family!

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Dog-friendly sailing on the Thames with GoBoat electric boats

I t seems that we have been on a lot of water adventures this Summer (canoes, SUP) and today we talk about dog-friendly electric boats on the Thames! And I can’t promise that this will be the last water activity you’ll read about on the blog in the near future, either, but this is a good one to know before Autumn really kicks in… Following the success of their Paddington hub (where had been invited last year on the Regent’s Canal and wrote about in this post ), in May GoBoat opened a new branch in Kingston upon Thames , which lets you hire electric boats for self-drive and welcomes dogs! They offered us a press ride to check out the experience, so today we tell you what we thought of it.

GoBoat electric boats: adventure on the Thames with dogs from Kingston

In a nutshell, GoBoat offers self-drive electric boats for hire – “be your own captain” is their slogan -, without requiring any previous boating experience, and which can accomodate up to 8 humans (or combination of dogs and humans) per boat. Apart from being more environmental friendly, the electric engine is also noiseless, adding to a relaxing experience, and the boat has a table for picnics/brunches.

For our adventure on GoBoat electric boat in Kingston, my husband and I decided to bring Argo along and invite some other doggies: our patron Juno the rescue Husky and Skylar the Weimaraner, who were accompanied by their humans. We had a crew of 8 in total (3 dogs and 5 humans), which is the maximum number of beings allowed on the boat.

It had been a lovely sunny day in London, with that pleasant temperature of when the Summer is running away, but Autumn is still lagging behind, but upon arrival at GoBoat Kingston’s hub (located on the riverside just South of Horse Fair bridge, opposite The Bishop’s pub), it started pouring down. We were definitely unprepared for a trip under the rain, and GoBoat is rain or shine! Hopeless, we found shelter near the pub and waited for our crew to arrive. GoBoat’s staff used a window squeegee to get rid of the rain from the boat seats, but luckily, as we hopped onto the boat, the rain stopped and the weather started turning, although the boat was still wet.

After signing the waivers, being briefed by GoBoat’s staff on how to drive the boat and given a map to navigate the river, we were ready to set off. We had been offered a 2-hour press experience (but they have packages for 1, 2 or 3 hours, which allow you to cover more or less ground (actually, water!)) and the staff recommended to take the Kingston to Hampton Court route. We were told that Hampton Court was reachable in 60 minutes circa and then we would have turned under the bridge and sailed back. The map clearly marked our route and there was no chance to be mistaken anyway, just one to remember was that on the river you must keep the right hand-side. There was a different route option,  heading downriver to Teddington Lock, which was recommended for shorter 1-hour hires.

On our way to Hampton Court we admired some incredible houses built on the river, some of them very modern, with huge windows and lovely gardens overlooking the placid water, while the grey sky opened and the sun started painting the riverside.

Before reaching Hampton Court Palace, Juno decided that the seats were too slippery for her and she jumped onto the table, where she seemed to have found the most comfortable spot, There she stayed for the rest of the trip. Hampton Court Palace, with its golden gates and red brick palace, kissed by the sunset sunrays, was marvellous. At Hampton Court bridge we reversed course.

On the way back the route took us on the side of Thames Ditton Island, in a quiet and narrower stretch of the river, which had the charme of an East London canal, with houses pointed with private mooring and boats. Both dog and humans enjoyed the ride, and as we got back to base, two hours later, I would already  have done it again!

Our favourite things about dog-friendly GoBoat electric boats

What we liked the most of GoBoat Kingston experience:

1.It’s very dog-friendly

GoBoat has made of having dogs on board something to be proud of, which is pretty amazing. There are companies which allow dogs without any enthusiasm about it, but GoBoat’s staff seemes to be overjoyed to see dogs and they are very welcoming.

2. The views and the relaxing activity

It is lovely to see West London from a different angle, and get to experience a different pace on the river. Also, driving GoBoat electric boat was much easier and relaxing than all other self-drive water activities we tried so far: rowing boats, canoeing/kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, all require some coordination skills and physical exercise. A table in the middle means being able to bring picnics (or provide a seat to wood seat demanding dogs) for a more chilled out experience, and instructions provided by the staff and on the map/leaflet are clear and easy to follow.

3. Intimate and fun

Being a self-drive boat, there is no stranger on the boat with you, and also that you can play captain. Being on a 8-people boat means that it’s much more intimate than going to the pub together: it’s only you with friends/family and dogs on the quiet of the river, chatting (and eating if you get some snack!).

4. Comfortable

We were 8 (5 people and 3 large dogs) and it was very comfortable and had plenty of space for everyone, which was great. Just note that there are no pillows or anything: this is great for when it rains, as it is quick to dry, in fact, before we got on the boat, GoBoat staff used a windscree wiper to get rid of the water. If you want it to be completely dry you’d probably need to bring a towel though.

Food for thought

Rain or shine, no cover.

Being GoBoat rain or shine, you may find yourself under the rain. Since you’ll have to book in advance to find a spot during the weekend, it’s not assured that it will turn out to be a sunny day.

Unfortunately GoBoat’s electric boats don’t have cover, so if it rains you’ll need to arrive prepared: rainproof clothes/shoes and a raincoat for your dog in case they are not keen on getting wet. Similarly, the lack of cover is something to keep in mind when booking for those hot Summer sunny days: if you are taking your dog, avoiding the central hours of the day and book in the late afternoon.

GoBoat doesn’t provide dog lifevests. This time we forgot ours, but it can be a good idea to bring one, just in case, if you have it. Also, as always when travelling on boats or moving vehicles, if you are not sure about how your dog will behave, it is best to make them wear a harness (with a handle) rather than attaching the leash directly to their collar: in case they make the leap it can be dangerous if they were attached by their neck, and a harness also has the advantage of making it easier to lift the dog back into the boat just in case.

Dog-friendly GoBoat Kingston | Essentials

Dogs of any size are welcome on GoBoat boats.

• In the Summer, GoBoat is open 9am to sunset, but for Autumn it will observe these hours:
• September: Monday and Friday 11am – 7.30pm; Saturday and Sunday: 9am – 7.30 pm; Closed on Tuesday to Thursdays.
• October: 1st – 18th October: open Saturdays and Sundays 9am – 7 pm | 19th October – 27th October: Monday to Friday 11am – 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am – 7 pm

GoBoat electric boats only departs from Kingston and you can’t drop-off  the boat in other locations, so you need to make a circular trip. You can choose between:

• Downriver route (North bound): to Teddington Lock, recommended for the 1-hour hires
• Upstream route (South bound): to Hampton Court Palace, recommended for the 2-hour hires
• 1 hour: £59 off-peak, £79 peak (peak = weekends, bank holidays and every day June to August)
• 2 hours: £89 off-peak, £109 peak
• 3 hours: £119 off-peak, £139 peak

Bookings and Requirements

You don’t need any previous boating experience. You can book online on GoBoat’s website here . More info, terms and more: goboat.co.uk

How to get there

• By train: the closest station is Kingston, which is an 8-minute walk away. Trains from Waterloo.
• By boat: until October, if you are coming from Richmond you can get the Turks Launch boat or from Hampton; Thames River Boats serve London from Wesminster, Kew to Richmond, if you want to (just keep in mind it’s a very long journey).

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15 Of The Best Dog-Friendly Activities In London For You And Your Pooch To Have A Big Day Out

From visiting restaurants specifically designed for pooches to golf courses which are pupper-friendly, here’s our rundown of the best dog-friendly activities in London.

It has to be said that us Londoners seem to be absolutely batty about pooches. After all, we’ve got dog-friendly restaurants, bars, cafés and even the world’s friendliest travel network for dogs – more on that later. So, if you’re mad about dogs and are looking to take your four-legged friend out for a day, then why not peruse this roundup of the best dog-friendly activities in London? You can thank us later.

1. Go for a wander in one of our many parks

There are plenty of parks where you can let your doggo off leash in London Town, but we’d argue that one of the best in town is Victoria Park – or ‘Vicky Park’ as it’s affectionately known – a spacious spot which is considered one of East London’s biggest draws.

It’s the city’s oldest park and has two sides which span Grove Road – the Eastern half is more suitable for doggos, as there’s ample space for them to run free and for throwing balls, frisbees or (insert here). Post pup-walk, head to the Pavilion Cafe for a brew and a pastry – they’re pretty darn good. Other great spots include Peckham Rye, Richmond Park and Primrose Hill too.

2. Visit one of the capital’s dog-friendly restaurants

Now we’re not exactly short of dog-friendly restaurants here in London, and there are numerous options depending on what kinda grub you’re looking for. For excellent Spanish fare and tapas , we’d recommend making your way to Pizarro in Bermondsey , which does everything from cod in a traditional Catalan sauce with sautéed baby spinach and padrón peppers with pan con tomate. 

There’s also Covent Garden gem Abuelo, which has a cool Aussie vibe and feels a lot like home, and Angelina – an intriguing restaurant concept that combines Italian and Japanese cuisine. 

3. Enjoy a dog-friendly bottomless brunch

To celebrate the launch of their new dog walking club, the Poke Pup Club, Poke House are inviting local furry friends to join them for a bottomless brunch at their Battersea location. It’s completely free and takes place on June 4, and there’s everything here for pups from a free dog-friendly poke bowl (quinoa, chicken, cabbage, courgette, and seaweed) to bottomless water. Ok, it’s not quite prosecco, but still…

Dog owners needn’t get FOMO though, as they’ll also be entitled to a freebie in the form of a coffee to sip on whilst their dogs dine and a tasty discount on their very own poke bowls. 

4. Raise anchor and sail down Regent’s Canal

Another one of the best dog-friendly activities in London here, GoBoat boasts a fabulous fleet of picnic boats that rule the serene waters of London in three different locations. These charming little craft boats really do offer one of the best days out in London, particularly when you can motor through tranquil Little Venice, leafy Kingston, or past the impressive towers of Canary Wharf.

Perhaps the best way to boat hire in London, they can seat up to six people, and pooches are more than welcome so you can happily bring your furry, four-legged friend on board with you. There’s also space for picnics to boot.

5. Take your pooch to a dog-friendly café

Pawsitive Cafe in West London is just what this city needed: a welcoming, dog-friendly space with great coffee , good food, and a genuine focus on mental wellbeing. It’s a place for dogs and their owners to hang out, take part in wholesome activities, and/or tuck into delicious brunch dishes – and that means for the pups too.

Fusing typical English brunch classics with traditional Malaysian food, Pawsitive Cafe is a foodie destination in its own right. We’re talking katsu chicken club sarnies, piles of strawberry cheesecake fluffy pancakes , and the Burgerdict – a patty served between two English muffins, with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Another option is POP+BARK, a pop-up spot designed entirely for dalmatians – sorry other dogs!

6. Hire a cargo bike and explore Hackney Marshes

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carryme Bikes (@carrymebikes)

Although dogs usually love a big old runaround, sometimes they might need a bit of chilltime too – particularly if the sun is shining. So if that’s the case, then why not hire yourself a bike with CarryMe which has its own basket in the front for your pooch to sit in. 

They’re based in Lower Clapton so are right on the edge of Hackney Marshes – what better spot to enjoy a leisurely cycle hey? You’ve got the River Lea, the Walthamstow Wetlands and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park right on your doorstep – what could be better than that hey?!

7. Practice your golf skills with a pooch by your side

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wimbledon Common Golf Club (@wimbledoncommongolfclub)

Another incredibly-fun dog-friendly activity here, London is chock-a-block full of places where you can practice your swing with a pooch in toe. Dogs who are good as gold are allowed off lead on the course at Wimbledon Common, whereas they’re allowed on the bougie Dulwich and Sydenham Hill golf courses when they’re on a lead.

Think about it – lovely walks, fresh air and you with man’s best friend – what’s not to love about that?

8. Find a breed-specific meet-up group

Now we all know that London is a city of dating apps and *ahem* often questionable dates, but did you also know that there are ‘dating’ apps for dogs in town? Meetup.com gives you the opportunity to join all kinds of groups, such as dog-walking groups, puppy yoga and dog socials designed for LGBTQ+ groups.

They also have groups designed for specific breeds such as pugs, French bulldogs, English boxers and more.

9. Meet the animals at dog-friendly city farms

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Surrey Docks Farm (@surreydocksfarm)

Surrey Docks Farm is a charitable working farm that enables people from all communities to learn about farming, nature and food production. They run several education programmes and workshops aimed at getting people involved in the farming world.

This farm, which offers training and gardening courses, is home to a diverse variety of animals including goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys, poultry, bees and wildlife in addition to green spaces and gardens. The place is open to the general public for free from 10am to 4pm from Monday to Saturday, and even better, they allow (well-behaved) dogs to visit – sign us up!

10. Ride the world’s friendliest travel network for dogs

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dogs On The Tube (@londonundergrounddogs)

We think it was already apparent to anyone who’s read our article about dogs on the Tube , but we’ve got official information that the London Underground is the most dog-friendly transport network in the entire world. 

So if you’re wanting to get out and explore some of the city, then why not hop on board a tube/DLR/overground/bus/insert here. You can head all over the city, so why not make a whole day of it?

11. Have a tipple or two at one of our numerous dog-friendly pubs or bars

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lunabooboobear & Rambo (@lunabooboobear)

Now with over 3,500 boozers to choose from, we’re more than set with our range of pubs in our beloved capital. And did you know that most of them are dog-friendly too? Top picks for us include The Hare & Billet in Blackheath, The Montpelier in Peckham , The People’s Park Tavern in Hackney and The Flask in Highgate. 

We’d also recommend paying a visit to the Hackney Church Brew Co. which offers melt-in-your-mouth goat shoulder seekh kebabs – which are also gluten-free – as well a whole tandoori market fish, aged mushroom parathas and Bombay spring cabbages.

12. Explore the vast expanses of Hampstead Heath

Ah yes. You didn’t think we could compile a list of the best dog-friendly activities in London without mentioning this one did you? Hampstead Heath – not technically a ‘park’ – is a wonderfully-wild place incorporating almost 800 acres of undulating meadows, ancient woodland, stately homes and natural swimming ponds – an absolute playground for a pupper. 

It’s full to the brim of history, there are some of London Town’s best pubs nearby and there’s one of the city’s best panoramic views from atop Parliament Hill. What’s not to love ey?

13. Sample a dog-friendly afternoon tea

If you’re looking for something a bit different and are really wanting to spoil your four-legged friend with an afternoon tea , then why not get involved with this one? This pawsome (sorry) experience has everything your furry friend could dream of with a four-course selection of treats,  free-flowing water and even ‘puppuccinos’ (with lactose-free milk) too! Treats here include a lamb liver and veggie stew, a banana ‘woofin’, a carrot ‘pupcake’ and a peanut butter and oats cookie – now what pooch isn’t gonna love that hey?! Get a hold of your tickets here .

And if your fluffy friend is still feeling hungry, Jack and Beyond also sell dog ice cream all year round, as well as delicious treats for us humans too. Set only five minutes’ walk from Battersea Park, the café is perfectly situated to go and burn off some energy before or after the experience with a lovely walk. 

14. Find yourself at one of the capital’s dog shows

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chiswick House Dog Show (@chiswickhousedogshow)

Our penultimate addition to this roundup of the best dog-friendly activities in London is heading to a dog show – which you’d expect many of in a city of thousands and thousands of dogs. 

While there are usually many on the roster, we’d recommend the Chiswick House Dog Show, the Halloween Dog Walk and the Great Hampstead Bark Off –  which features six categories for you to enter, celebrity judges and a variety of stalls offering canine and human delights to boot too.

15. Stay at the Rosewood London with your four-legged friend

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rosewood London (@rosewoodlondon)

Rounding off this list of the best dog-friendly activities in London is an overnight stay at the Rosewood London – a five-star gem in Holborn which is arguably one of the finest hotels in London. They love four-legged friends here, with an emphasis on ‘ taking care of our furry friends as much as we take care of our human ones ’.

Dogs receive a sumptuous bed, delicious welcome treats, and water and food bowls, as well as a specially curated ‘Expawriences Guide’, with recommendations of local dog-friendly restaurants, bars, and parks, including Lincoln’s Inn Fields – just mere steps away from the hotel.

So there you have it – a roundup of the best dog-friendly activities in London for you and your pooch to enjoy a big day out. So, whether you’re looking for a pint with your pupper or a lovely afternoon tea, then you’re all set here!

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LONDON’S BEST DOG-FRIENDLY ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

From boats, doggie feasts, reiki and movies to pools, cable cars and london landmarks.

London has the world’s most dog-friendly travel network, beautiful parks for the ultimate walkies and is bulging with pawsome boozers, cafes and bars, which welcome two and four-legged guests.

For the real bow-wow factor, we’ve created a guide to London's 10 best pup attractions and activities, from three-course feasts, afternoon teas, pools, doggie reiki and sound baths, to cinema trips, boat rides, cable cars and pooch-loving London landmarks.

Get those tails wagging by sniffing out the below.

____________________________

Read our review here

Half of all Londoners live within a five-minute walk of a canal, river, dock or lake, yet most of us spend our time on land, looking at it or dodging armpits beneath it, rather than on it.

GoBoat rectifies this by welcoming all seadogs and owners to enjoy a self-drive, electric boat adventure from its five UK locations, which include Canary Wharf, Paddington , Kingston, Thames Ditton  and  Birmingham .

Let their jowls flap in the salty breeze as they take in the smells and sights of your private river cruise.

GoBoat UK , Open 7 days a week from 9am - dusk. Prices start from £85 for 1 hour and £125 for two hours on the 8-person boats. GoBoat Canary Wharf, 22 Churchill Place, London, E14 5RE

Egerton House Pawfternoon Tea

Knightsbridge’s five-star, luxury boutique hotel has ensured the frenzied wagging of tails at its lovingly designed, doggie afternoon tea. Top dogs can feast on chicken liver and beef meatloaf, peanut butter biscuits, carrot cupcake with natural yoghurt, washed down with a Dogtini chicken consommé martini with meat skewers, shaken and not stirred. This is followed by sweet crunchy carrot crudites, strawberry surprises and Scooby protein balls. WOOF. 

Egerton House , Egerton Terrace, Knightsbridge, London, SW3 2BX. £30 per dog.

Dog-Friendly Cinema

You don’t need to leave your hound at home to catch a movie. PictureHouse cinemas in Piccadilly, Clapham, Hackney and Bromley host dog-friendly Sunday screenings, so you can cuddle up for a film and a hot dog.

Water and snacks are provided for your furry companion, the volume is lowered for their sensitive ears and fluffy blankets are provided for them to relax on the seat or floor.

PictureHouse . Various London on select Sundays

Tower Bridge

London is all about furry companions until you want to go inside the big tourist attractions. 

However, Tower Bridge is a proud exception, welcoming pooches for walkies across its astonishing glass walkways, 42 metres above the Thames and letting them explore the historic towers and Victorian Engine Rooms that once powered Tower Bridge. The staff make a big fuss of all four-legged visitors and  pets have always been a big part of Tower Bridge’s story - until the early 1980s, it had several cats living in and around the Engine Rooms, with a Cat Manager was employed to take care of the cats onsite.

Tower Bridge,  Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP. Adult tickets £12pp. Children 5-15 £6.20pp. Under 5s and dogs go free.

Gaucho Three Course Feast

Show me a dog who doesn’t want a three course feast at a fancy steak restaurant and I will show you a cat. Gaucho welcomes canines to all of its restaurants - except the O2 - until 6pm. And on the first Saturday of every month, its turbo-dog-friendly Hampstead branch hosts 'Doggy Saturday' when their furry friend is treated to a three-course, a la bark meal, while their two-legged companions chow down on some fine, Argentinian meat.

Gaucho , 64 Heath St, London NW3 1DN

Battersea Power Station

If there’s a more dog-friendly London landmark than the iconic Power Station, we have yet to meet it.

Poke House  even has a dog walking club - The Poke Pups Club - to help make new furry friends in collaboration with Paws App and pooches can enjoy their Pup Poke Bowl, created with leading dog nutritionist Cam Wimble. 

They will also receive belly rubs at the massive Arcade Food Hall, Battersea Brewery, Black Sheep Coffee and the Boom Cycle team will look after them while you go for a spin class. If you fancy an Indian, this Dishoom is their only dog-friendly branch, or hounds also welcome at Cinnamon Kitchen . You’ll find pooches aplenty at Fiume, Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza, Le Bab’s and Megan’s , which makes sure your pooch has dog beds, treats and water bowls. Or perhaps your hound would prefer to drool over the food at Noci, No 29 Power Station West, Tapas Brindisa, Tonkotsu, Vagabond Wines, Where the Pancakes Are or seafood at Wright Bros, where the motto is the paw the merroir?

Battersea Power Station , Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW11 8DD. 10 March

Poolside Pooches

You can even go for a doggy paddle with your pup, at a gaggle of the capital’s watery spots, from Clapham Common and Hampstead Heath to Wimbledon Common. Epping Common’s Hollow Pond is a popular doggie splash spot, with 13 acres brimming with coves, shingly beaches and water to splash about in.

Or head out to Ruislip Lido's dedicated dog beach for a swim, a run around its shady spots, walkies in the nearby woods and a ride around the lake and woodlands on the 12-inch narrow gauge railway.

Ruislip Lido Dog Beach , Ruislip lido, reservoir road, Ruislip, HA4 7TY

Doggie Sound Baths and Reiki Healing

Bath is not usually a dog’s favourite word, but Highgate’s Ethereal Warrior provides a much more zen version - sound baths with crystal singing bowls, Koshi Chimes and 528hz Tuning Forks to calm and relax your pooch and sort out their chakras. Dogs can expect luxurious beds, water charged with Rose Quartz and pre and post-session doggy treats. They also offer animal reiki, to reduce tension or anxiety, as well as animal energy healing.

Ethereal Warrior, 246 Archway Rd, Highgate, London N6 5AX

Mexican Mutt Feast

Fitzrovia’s cosy Mexican restaurant, Catalina's loves dogs so much, they teamed up with gourmet canine hospitality company Talula Eats to design a three-course doggie dining experience.

Your pampered pooches can drool over a starter of high protein cricket powder treats, followed by seasonal, gourmet dishes with human grade ingredients, packed with vitamins and zero additives. And for a sweet ending, they can enjoy a fruit and peanut Peony Pupcake to enioy there, or take in a doggie bag for the walk home.

Catalina's . 72 Cleveland St, London W1T 6LZ

Emirates Cable Car

Dogs can look down on the city, like the kings they are, on an Emirates Cable Car ride. 

As long as they can sit on your lap, pooches can jump aboard a cable car and soar over the Thames, panting down at Canary Wharf, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard and The O2. 

They arrive every 30 seconds during the day and you can jump off and explore some pleasingly dog-friendly spots on both banks of the Thames.

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The Best Dog-friendly Things To Do in London | Dog-friendly London

We’re all about spending more time with our dogs, aren’t you? Well, it’s lucky that Londoners have plenty of opportunities to do just that as the number of places in London that welcome dogs as well as events and things we can do with our pups, keeps on growing. So whether you’re a dog-friendly London pro or are new in town (pup or human) – what will you do in London with your dog this year?

We often get asked for suggestions on dog-friendly things to do in London be it from local or visiting doggos, so to kick off the year, we’ve put together our list of the top dog-friendly things to do in London – some you may have already done, others may be new but the one thing that is for sure is that your dog can come too! 

The Dog-friendly Things To Do in London Facebook Group

We also have a Dog-friendly London Facebook Group for people to share their latest dog-friendly finds, you can find the Dog-friendly London Facebook group here .

Please do come and join the conversation, that way together we can continue to grow the capital’s dog-friendly community!

We’ll also be adding to this guide as we discover new pup-friendly things to do in London. In the meantime, this list (in no particular order), should fill up your weekends for quite some time…

The Best Dog-friendly Things To Do in London All Year Round

First up are dog-friendly London activities that you can do all year round so you can take your time to work through the list. There’s a seasonal section to this guide too but more on that in a moment.

We’ve tried to include a mix of paid and free activities to suit all pup pockets but if you are looking specifically for free things to do in London with your dog, then check out our guide to 42 Free Dog-friendly Things To Do In London here .

Now, back to our list of dog-friendly things to do…

(1) Take your Dog to Afternoon Tea

Nothing is more quintessentially British than Afternoon Tea and a tea where we can take our dogs is the only kind of Afternoon Tea we’re interested in. Fortunately, London pups have quite a few to choose from and we’ve rounded them up for you in our Guide to the Best Dog-friendly Afternoon Tea in London . Of course, the must-do on most pups to do list is the Dog Afternoon Tea at The Egerton House Hotel where the dogs get their own Afternoon Tea menu!

Where:  17-19 Egerton Terrace, Knightsbridge, London SW3 2BX

Price: The cost of the Doggy Afternoon Tea is £25 per dog with Afternoon Tea for humans from £48 per person.

(2) Visit One of London’s Dog-friendly Historic Houses

Historic houses and hounds don’t typically go together as no-one wants a dog to be responsible for ruining a valuable piece of history. However, many of London’s historic houses welcome dogs to the grounds and their cafés. Why not try visiting Ham House (Richmond) , Morden Hall Park (Morden) or Osterley House (Osterly) as we’ve featured on the blog previously or other options are Chiswick House Gardens in Chiswick and Kenwood House in Highgate.

Where / Price: Visiting the grounds of the houses mentioned above (see links for more details on each) are free with the exception of Ham House which charges an entry fee (from £11.75 for Adults)

(3) Dine with your Dog

We love dining out with dogs and even more so when restaurants have gone out of their way to create a dedicated Doggy Menu for dogs to tuck into. This has to be the ultimate doggy dining treat but of course, just like for us humans, should be indulged in moderation to keep pup waistlines trim. We’ve rounded up the best dog menus in town so you can dine with your dog  – see our Guide to the Best Dog Menus in London for where to go.

Price: Various depending on the venue as listed in this guide .

(4) Take your Dog for Tapas

Continuing the theme of doggy dining, our best doggy dining experience has to be Tapas at Brindisa Battersea so this deserves a slot of its own on our list. Pups are given their own Doggy Tapas basket and can also choose one of the delicious Doggy Tapas off the menu free of charge. Belinha couldn’t believe her luck! Read our full Doggy Tapas review here or here’s the link to Brindisa Battersea where the Doggy Tapas Menu is available daily from 12-5pm.

Where: Unit 25, Battersea Power Station, Circus Rd W, London SW11 8EZ

Price: Dogs eat for free when humans are eating.

(5) Drink Dogtails with your Dog!

At this central venue, whilst your dog is drinking a Dogtail you can enjoy a cocktail or two. Smith & Whistle in Mayfair is home to London’s first dedicated Dog Cocktail (or Dogtail) menu where your pup can enjoy a Poochie Colada, a Hounds Hops or a Bubbly Bow Wow, all cocktails specially designed for dogs…cheers!

Where: Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, Piccadilly, London W1J 7BX

Price: Dogtails from £5

(6) See a Film at a Dog-friendly London Cinema

Watching a film at one of London’s dog-friendly Cinemas has become a regular occurrence for some London dogs. However, outside of London and particularly our friends from abroad can’t quite believe that dogs get to go to the cinema too. So although we may be used to taking our dogs to the cinema, we should appreciate just how lucky we are to share this dog-friendly London experience with our pups.

Picturehouse Cinemas (which offer a more traditional cinema experience, read our review here with cinemas across London) and Exhibit Cinemas (which offer a more boutique cinema experience, read our review here with cinemas in Balham and Streatham), are the cinemas with the most regular dog-friendly screenings. Dog-friendly Cinema screenings are always listed on our London Dog Events Calendar so you can plan your doggy diaries.

Price: Dogs go free and the cost of an adult cinema ticket is usually approx. £14.50

(7) Hang out in a Street-food Market or Market Hall

One of our dog-friendly finds last year was the number of dog-friendly Street Food Markets and Food Halls there are in London. Not only do these markets offer a great choice of food options for the humans, but they are also, very welcoming to doggos which we love. We’ve compiled a guide to the best Dog-friendly Street Food Markets and Food Halls in London  with our favourites being Borough Market , Mercato Metropolitano, Flat Iron Square and Mercato Mayfair to pick a few.

Price: Whatever your human eats.

(8) Visit Tower Bridge With Your Dog

Tower Bridge is one of the few London indoor tourist attractions where dogs are welcome to visit with their humans. The Tower Bridge dog policy is that “Dogs must be kept on leads and supervised at all times. At busy times we may restrict the number of dogs allowed into the attraction however assistance dogs will be allowed in at all times.”

Your ticket will gain you access to the Glass Floor in the high-level Walkways, the north and south Towers as well as the Engine Rooms. The other great thing is that all areas are fully accessible via lift so dogs in buggies can enjoy all areas of this iconic landmark. To avoid peak tourist times, it’s best to visit on weekday mornings. Read our review of our visit to dog-friendly Tower Bridge .

Price: Adult tickets are £9.80, dogs go free.

(9) Go Dog-friendly Wine Tasting

A fun thing to do with your dog is to take them wine-tasting with you (you taste the wine not your dog). London wine guru Pippa Penny, runs regular dog-friendly wine tasting sessions throughout the year where dogs are given different tasty treats to sample to accompany the different wines their humans are tasting. By its very nature, it’s a social dog-friendly thing to do for both humans and hounds. The next dog-friendly wine tasting events will be listed on the London Dog Events Calendar as they become available or on Pippa Penny’s website .

Price: Various depending on the venue.

(10) Travel in Style With Your Dog on the Thames Clipper

Taking your dog on the Thames Clipper has to be the ultimate way to travel with your dog on public transport in London. No crowds, the humans always get a seat, and you can sit indoors or out to take in some of London’s landmark sights as you sail by. Since I first took the Thames Clipper with Belinha, I try to plan our journeys to travel this way whenever we can. Read all about traveling with your dog on the Thames Clipper here .

Cost: One-way tickets from £4.90-£13 depending on how far you want to travel.

(11) Take Your Best Friend For a Dog Brunch

Doggy Brunches are a pawsome way to enjoy the weekend with your pup. There are a couple of regular doggy brunches that we can recommend – the Savage Garden Dog Brunch (read our Savage Garden Dog Brunch review here ) for amazing views and the Gaucho Hampstead Doggy Sunday Brunch for a North London brunch that has been rocking the weekend for London dogs for quite some time. Both offer tasty treats for dogs as well as humans on the menu. As well as these firm favourites, there are many pop-up dog brunches throughout the year, again these are featured on our London Dog Events Calendar as they are announced.

(12) Enjoy Walks & Wine at a Dog-friendly Vineyard

One weekend why not head to Denbies, a dog-friendly vineyard in Dorking, Surrey. Dogs and grapes don’t mix but as dogs are asked to stay away from the vines, this isn’t an issue. The walks through the vineyard are long and scenic and you can continue from Denbies into the Surrey Hills and beyond if you want. Read our review of Dog-friendly Denbies Vineyard here for what to expect as well as some tips for walking and eating nearby.

Price: Free

(13) Treat your Pup to a Poochini

Doggy ice-cream decadence awaits at Shake Shack in the form of a ‘Poochini’. Basically, a Poochini is a doggy ice-cream on steroids and consists of red velvet dog biscuits, peanut butter sauce and vanilla custard. Shake Shack say that it’s not intended for small dogs but medium dogs and above can tuck in much to Belinha’s relief. Definitely not to be consumed as an everyday treat but take your pup for a Poochini at least once and your dog will love you for it.

Cost: Shake Shack Poochinis are £4.75 and Shake Shack have restaurants across London .

(14) Get to know Dog-friendly Greenwich

If you want to feel like you’ve left London without actually doing so, then Greenwich is the place to go. Quaint streets, spacious parks, the famous Greenwich Market (dog-friendly of course) as well historic monuments await. We’ve rounded up some of the best places to visit, eat and shop in our Dog-friendly Guide to Greenwich to help you make the most of your visit. And to make it even more of a dog-friendly experience, why not take the dog-friendly Thames Clipper to or from Greenwich too.

(15) Woofs and Walls your way through Shoreditch

We often get asked where’s a good place to get shots of your dog against street art/graffiti in London. Well, one of the answers is Shoreditch. For a multi-location experience, try our Guided Photo Walk in Shoreditch with some street art spots specially selected for pups to pose against. As a bonus, the photo walk finishes at the very dog-friendly Bike Shed Motorcycle Club for either more photos or just relaxing.

Cost: Photo walk – Free

(16) Explore a new London neighbourhood 

There’s always something new to discover in London and what better way to discover it than with a local London dog as your paw guide? If you agree, then our My Dog Friendly London Series is for you, where local dogs take you on a tour of their favourite local places and share why they love them. So what are you waiting for, pick an area and enjoy!

And these days you can find much-loved dog-friendly restaurant Megan’s in many London neighbourhoods such as Islington , Clapham, Balham and more. Starting with the original Megan’s on the King’s Road, this ‘self-proclaimed’ most dog-friendly London restaurant can now be found in sixteen London neighbourhoods with more planned for this year. Pups will receive a warm welcome with treats and a Megan’s dog bed to snooze on after all your exploring.

Price: Free but that depends on which Cafés, Restaurants or Pubs you decide to try along the way.

(17) Get Lucky at Doggie Bingo

Move over the bingo of the 80’s, there’s a new type of bingo in town… Dabbers Social Bingo . Located in the aptly named Houndsditch, a recent addition to their bingo lineup is Dabbers Doggie Bingo where dogs are welcome to join their owners for an entertaining bingo session. Expect special doggie bingo calls and disco balls, a chance to show off your dog’s party tricks and more. Basically it’s party bingo for pups and people – read our Doggie Bingo review here .

Price: Doggie Bingo Tickets are £12 (dogs go free)

(18) Meet New Friends at a London Dog Meetup

Find your tribe at one of London’s Doggy Meetups. Be it breed specific or just sharing a common interest, there are plenty of doggy groups for London dogs for both hounds and humans to make new friends. Find one for you and your dog in our Guide to Meetups & Groups for London dogs .

Price: Free, although some groups ask for a charity donation to attend the meetups,

(19) Downward Dog (With Dogs) at Dog Yoga

Do downward dog with a whole class of doggos at Dog Yoga aka Doga. A relaxing sport for both dog and owner, both small and big dogs can take part and although we haven’t tried it yet, we’re told it’s a great experience to strengthen the bond between dog and owner. Find a class at Doga Yoga or Pets Yoga .

Price: Various depending on the class/venue

(20) Tuck into the Treats on the Dog Menu at Wags N Tales

Wags N Tales in Surbiton is Belinha’s favourite dog-friendly café around. Why? Quite simply it’s for the treats…puppuccinos, pupcakes and doggy scones are on the doggy menu as well as a warm welcome for both humans and hounds. Read all about it in our Wags N Tales review as well as get some tips of things to do nearby. Definitely a must-do for café loving canines.

Where: 7-9 Brighton Rd, Surbiton KT6 5LX

Price: As per the menu, doggy treats from £1.50

Dog-friendly Things To Do in London – Seasonal Things To Do

Some of London’s fabulous dog-friendly activities you can only do at certain times of the year so make sure to plan these in the doggy diaries…

(21) Take in the splendour of Chelsea in Bloom 

For one week every May, the streets of Chelsea transform into a floral paradise full of intricate floral creations thanks to Chelsea in Bloom. It is really is a floral spectacle like no other and it’s free to walk around, admire and of course take advantage of the plethora of photo opportunities on offer. Look out for this year’s theme and dates being announced on the Chelsea in Bloom website.

(22) Be Pretty in Purple at Dog-friendly Mayfield Lavender Farm

One of the sweetest smelling dog-friendly experiences in town is a visit to the Mayfield Lavender Farm in Banstead, on the edge of south-west London/Surrey. A carpet of luscious lavender stretches for miles before you and dogs are just as welcome as every other visitor. Plan your visit with our Dog-friendly Mayfield Lavender Farm review here .

When: June to August

Price: Entrance is £2.50 per person

(23) Enjoy open-air rooftop cinema at the Dog-friendly Rooftop Film Club 

A unique dog-friendly cinema experience in London is the Peckham Rooftop Film Club open-air and silent cinema. Open during the warmer months for obvious reasons, this is a must-do on the dog-friendly London to-do-list. Read our review of our visit to the Dog-friendly Rooftop Film Club to get an idea of what to expect.

When: May to October

Price: Rooftop Film Club Tickets from £15.95 per person.

(24) Go boating with you dog on Regents Canal

Row, row your boat down Regent’s Canal – well, you don’t actually row as the boats are electric but you get the idea. This dog-friendly boating experience from Go Boat London takes you on a tour of London’s canal ways offering a unique experience for both pups and people on board. No licence or experience needed, just a quest for a new adventure. Read our Regent’s Canal Dog-friendly Boating Review here .

When: March to October

Price: From £59 per boat.

(25) Go Paddleboarding with your Pup

One of the more adventurous experiences we tried has to be dog and human paddleboarding on The Thames. It would have been quite the experience if it were just humans but being able to go paddleboarding with your dog was something else. Despite both human and dog lacking in sporting prowess in our case, we had an absolutely amazing time – read all about our Dog-friendly Paddleboarding Experience here . Other providers of dog and human paddleboarding experiences are Back of Beyond Adventures in Richmond who run group sessions during Summer.

When: Summer

Price: Various depending on who is hosting the session.

(26) Soak up the beach vibes at Fulham Beach Club 

It may look like it’s in the south of France but it’s actually in Fulham and four-legged friends are most welcome! Previously called Neverland, Fulham Beach Club is a great place to hang out in Summer. Dogs are allowed until 5pm (as after this it becomes more of a party venue) but with’s beach huts, daybeds and decor to die for, it’s a great place to hang out with your pup – read all about it in our review here .

Price: Standard entry is £5 with unreserved seating. Reserving a beach hut or daybed is extra and details can be found on the website .

(27) Take Your Dog Sailing on The Thames 

After the success of the dog-friendly Go Boat experience on Regent’s Canal, it’s no surprise that Go Boat opened a second dog-friendly sailing experience, this time on The Thames starting from Kingston. The boats are the same but the experience is very different due to being in much more open water. We had a brilliant time on board with four dogs and six humans sailing from Kingston to Hampton Court and back, read all about it here .

(28) Enjoy The View at Skylight London 

Another urban playground where pups are welcome is Skylight London, in Tobacco Dock, Wapping and this time, it has a superb view! Skylight London transforms between Summer and Winter, with rooftop games and daybeds galore in Summer and London’s only rooftop ice-rink and igloos in Winter. There’s even a special Skylight Dog Day once a year in September with special treats for dogs and owners to enjoy. We definitely recommend a visit in Summer as pups can join in with the games, unlike the ice skating! Read all about our visit to Skylight London here .

When: May to October (Summer) and November to April (Winter)

Price: Free unless you want to book an activity or reserved seating area which you can do on the website .

(29) Take a River Tour of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Why not see one of London’s great legacies, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park by taking a dog-friendly boat tour down the River Lea. Not only is this a unique way to see the park, but you’ll get a full lowdown on the park’s history too, especially with regards to the Olympics. Read our review of our tour with Lee and Stort Boat Tours here .

When: April to October

Price: Adult tickets £9, dogs go free.

(30) Swim with your Dog at Saltdean Lido

Although the Saltdean Lido Dog Swim is not in London, we simply couldn’t miss including this in our bucket list of dog-friendly things to do. Both for us and for many people and pups who have been, this is one of the top things to do with your dog. About an hour and a half outside London (near Brighton), Saltdean Lido opens it’s doors to dogs for the annual doggy swim at the end of the swimming season. Even if your dog doesn’t like swimming take a friends dog or just go along with a friend to watch as the joy on all the dog’s faces at being let loose in this giant swimming pool is truly something to behold. If you’ve any doubts, here’s our feature on last years Saltdean Lido Dog Swim so you can get the picture. Not surprisingly tickets are snapped up when they go on sale so get your paws on them quick – we will be announcing them on the London Dog Events Calendar ,our Facebook Page and our Insta as soon as they do.

When: September

Price: Swimming Tickets – £7.95 dog or human, Spectator Tickets – £3.18

(31) Kick back at a Dog-friendly Festival 

Did you know there are dog-friendly festivals you can take your dog to, both in and nearby London? If festivals are your thing, then this is a fun weekend activity for you and your pup. Plus many of the London festivals are free! Check out our handy Guide to Dog-friendly Festivals here .

When: Spring/Summer

Price: Various depending on the Festival.

(32) Show your suppawt at a Dog-friendly Football Game

Although Premier League Football games aren’t dog-friendly, many of the Non-league games are. We were recently introduced to dog-friendly football in London and it was a lot of fun. Non-league Dogs is even a ‘thing’, if you don’t believe us check out the Non-league Dogs Insta or Twitter accounts. And if you’re not sure which match to go to, then our Guide to the Top Dog-friendly Football Teams in London put together by guest repawter Pie the Frenchie is on hand to help you decide.

When: August to May

Price: Various depending on the club

(33) Go Pumpkin Picking with your Pup

Nothing says Autumn like pumpkin picking at a Pumpkin Patch and even better when your pup can come too! Dog-friendly Pumpkin Patches aren’t easy to find but there are a few that welcome dogs near London – see our Guide to Dog-friendly Pumpkin Patches for more information.

When: October

Price: Visiting is free, you just pay for the pumpkins you pick.

(34) Feel the Alpine Vibes at Winterland

Come Winter, Fulham’s Beach Club (featured above), transforms into a Winter Alpine Club complete with winter lodges and igloos for an authentic alpine experience. Dogs are welcome to cosy up on the fur-covered sofas with you until 5 pm; read our Winterland Alpine club review here to see what’s in store.

When: November to March

Price: Standard entry is £5 with unreserved seating. Reserving a winter cabin or igloo is extra and details can be found on the website .

(35) Get in the Christmas spirit at one of London’s Dog-friendly Christmas Markets

It wouldn’t be right to celebrate the festive season without a visit to a Christmas Market, and it definitely wouldn’t be right to leave your dog behind when you do! Fortunately, many of London’s Christmas Markets are dog-friendly so they too can help you celebrate Christmas in style. Our Guide to Dog-friendly Christmas Markets in London will help you decide which markets to visit and when, enjoy!

When: December to January

We hope that’s given you plenty of inspiration for dog-friendly things to do in London!

Let is know in the comments below if you have any favourites on the list or any others you think should be included., and don’t forget to check out our feature on 42 free dog-friendly things to do in london for more ideas.

Hello! My names Barney.

My owner Jordan lived in London buts now he lives in Suffolk with me!

Lets be doggy friends as we love reading your blog!

@barneyunleashed

Hi Barney and Jordan, hopefully you still get to visit London sometimes and then you’ll be in the know

Wow, these ideas are so helpful, thank you. xx

You’re very welcome, hope you find some fun things to do with your dog x

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Pawprints Across the Capital: Your Guide to the Best Dog Walks in London

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get more exercise, you’re in for a treat – especially if you have a four-legged friend. As January marks Walk Your Dog Month, it’s the perfect time to explore some picturesque river Thames walks with your beloved dog.

And remember, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers warmly welcomes well-behaved dogs, so you can travel in style to various dog-friendly locales.

Keep reading to discover the best dog walks in London and some of the pawsome dog-friendly attractions that the capital has to offer.

Tail-wagging dog walks along the river Thames

The line sculpture trail.

Begin your artistic adventure by hopping off at North Greenwich Pier and then make your way to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

This four-hour, free exploration offers a mix of art and nature, allowing you to immerse yourself in an open-air gallery featuring masterpieces by Antony Gormley and other international artists.

Explore The Line Sculpture Trail

Jubilee Greenway

Marking Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympics, this 60km path connects historic sites and modern marvels – including Kensington Palace and Camden Market.

Depart from Westminster Pier and take a short walk to your starting point, Buckingham Palace. Then, you can take a delightful river Thames walk and finish your journey at Limehouse Basin.

Explore the Jubilee Greenway path

Capital Ring Walk

Embark on a 126km circular journey from Woolwich Foot Tunnel, encompassing South, East, North, and West London.

This route is divided into 15 segments, each offering a unique view of the city’s landmarks like Syon Park and the Thames Barrier. The starting point is just a short walk from Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) Pier .

Explore the Capital Ring Walk

Jubilee Walkway

This 15-mile walk encompasses London’s most iconic sights, including the Tate Modern and the Houses of Parliament.

Begin in the centre of Leicester Square, a brief walk from Embankment Pier , and immerse yourself in London’s history.

Explore Jubilee Walkway

Check out some of London’s dog-friendly parks

Discover some of the city’s greenest and most scenic areas, each offering some incredible dog walks in London. These dog-friendly parks are a great way to get some exercise and escape the hustle and bustle of the capital.

• Battersea Park, closest pier: Battersea Power Station
• Greenwich Park, closest pier: Greenwich
• St. James’s Park, closest pier: Westminster
• Thames Barrier Park, closest pier: Royal Wharf
• Bishop’s Park, closest pier: Putney

Dog-friendly attractions and restaurants

London is home to several dog-friendly pubs, cafes and attractions where you and your pooch can rest, refuel and explore what landmarks the city has to offer.

Tower Bridge

Closest pier: Tower

Experience Tower Bridge like never before. Well-behaved dogs are welcome to join their owners in exploring the historic Towers and Victorian Engine rooms, not to mention the exhilarating glass floor and views!

Abuelo, Covent Garden

Closest pier: Embankment

This Australian-inspired café, a short walk from Embankment Pier, offers a cosy atmosphere for both humans and dogs, with mouth-watering dishes and delicious coffee.

Surrey Dock Farm

Closest pier: Greenland (Surrey Quays) Pier

Just a 15-minute walk along the river Thames from the pier, this farm offers a unique opportunity to engage with nature and a variety of animals in the heart of the city. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, and entry is free.

Dog Afternoon Tea at Jack and Beyond

Closest pier: Plantation Wharf

Jack and Beyond serve a unique afternoon tea that’s perfect for you and your dog. They offer a delightful four-course treat menu for your pooch, along with some delicious human-friendly options.

Dog friendly pubs

After a long day of river Thames walks, you might find yourself in need of a break. Fortunately, you can relax with a refreshing drink at one of London’s many dog-friendly pubs.

• The Coach and Horses, closest Pier: Greenwich
• The Sail Loft, closest Pier: Greenwich
• The Grapes, closest pier: Canary Wharf
• he Duke of Sussex, closest pier: London Eye (Waterloo)
• Battersea Brewery, closest pier: Battersea Power Station
• The Duke's Head, closest pier: Putney

Plan your pawfect journey

As you gear up for these trips with your dog, remember that Uber Boat by Thames Clippers offers a convenient and enjoyable way to travel to these beautiful river Thames walks and attractions.

Embrace the new year with unforgettable experiences alongside your beloved companion and let us be part of your journey.

Plan your journey

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A Guide to Dog-Friendly Public Transportation in London

If you’re visiting London with your dog, this guide is for you! London has one of the largest urban public transport networks in the world, spanning the city’s 32 boroughs. There’s everything from buses, to trams, to tubes, and even a cable car.

London is a fantastic destination to visit with your dog. They are sure to enjoy all of the great parks and open spaces – there is plenty to do without feeling overcrowded. But the sheer size of London (over 600 square miles!) can be daunting, and getting around can feel overwhelming. Here’s our guide to navigating the dog-friendly public transport options in London, and finding what’s best for you and your dog.

If you’re traveling around London, download the TfL Go app! It has interactive maps and journey planners to help you plan public transport travel across London.

Article Contents

London Buses

• Yes, London buses are dog-friendly.

London buses are probably one of the most recognizable forms of public transport in the world – everyone’s seen those bright red, double decker buses! They’re not only iconic, but they’re also a cheap and convenient way to travel around the city.

London’s bus network runs 24 hours a day with about 9,300 vehicles, over 675 bus routes and about 19,000 bus stops. You can pretty much get anywhere in London on the bus. They’re all cashless, so you need an Oyster card, Travelcard or contactless payment card to ride. A single London bus journey costs £1.55, no matter how far you go, and you can even take multiple buses within one hour at no extra charge, thanks to the Hopper fare.

The London bus pet policy is as follows:

• You can take any other dog or inoffensive animal on [the bus], unless there is a good reason for us to refuse it (such as if the animal seems dangerous or not properly controlled).
• You must keep it under control on a lead or in a suitable container and must not allow it on a seat. Staff are not allowed to take charge of any animal.
• At stations, if you bring an animal with you, you should use the wide gates or carry it through the gates.
• At stations, if you bring an animal with you, you must use a staircase or lift where provided. If there is no staircase or lift and you need to use a moving escalator, you must carry your animal unless you have an assistance dog that has been trained to walk on moving escalators. If your animal is too large to carry, a member of staff will stop the escalator to allow it to travel on it when it is safe to do so (generally outside the rush hours and when the station is not busy).

Fun fact: The first London “buses” started in 1829. Back then they were horse powered.

London Trams

• Yes, the London Tram is dog-friendly.

London has a modern tram network, known as Tramlink, that run in parts of south London. The network has 39 stops and four routes that run between Wimbledon, Croydon, Beckenham, and New Addington.

Trams are treated as part of the bus network when it comes to tickets and fares – they also cost a flat rate of £1.55.

The London Tram is governed by Transport for London, or TfL. The London Tram pet policy is the same as those for the Bus, Tube, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail Services. The pet policy is:

London Underground (the Tube)

• Yes, the London tube is dog-friendly.

The London Underground, commonly referred to as the Tube, is the oldest and third longest metro system in the world. The system serves 270 stations, and it dates back to 1863. You can easily recognize a Tube station, since their distinctive London Underground logo is as distinguished as the red double decker bus. It’s a red circle with the text “Underground” featured in a blue box.

Over four million journeys are made every day on the Underground network, and over 1 billion each year. There are eleven Tube lines divided into nine zones.

The Underground operates in Fare Zones 1 – 6, with Zone 1 in the centre and Zone 6 at the outside. The Tube can be a bit tricky, since fares depend on how far you travel, time of day, and how you pay. The cheapest way to pay for a single fare is with Oyster or contactless payments. For the most part, the more zones you cross on your journey, the more expensive it will be.

The Tube typically runs from 5am until midnight, with Night Tube services on some lines on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The London tube is governed by Transport for London, or TfL. The London tube pet policy is the same as those for the Bus, Tram, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail Services. The pet policy is:

London Overground

• Yes, the London Underground is dog-friendly.

The London Overground, simply called the Overground, is a suburban rail network that serves Greater London. It has 112 stations on nine different routes.

Similar to the Underground and the Docklands Light Railway, the London Overground calculates fares based on the same zone-based set of rules. You can pay using an Oyster card, paper tickets, electronic smart cards and contactless payment cards.

The London Overground is governed by Transport for London, or TfL. The London Overground pet policy is the same as those for the Bus, Tube, Tram, DLR, and TfL Rail Services. Read it above, or here .

Docklands Light Railway (DLR)

• Yes, the Docklands Light Railway is dog-friendly.

The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a driverless light railway that opened in 1987. They’re London’s second, more local metro system that uses smaller, lighter tram-type vehicles. There’s no driver, since it’s automated. The DLR serves parts of East and South East London (specifically the Docklands, Greenwich and Lewisham).

The Docklands connects with the Tube, with London’s cable car, the Emirates Air Line, and to the London City Airport. It runs from 5.30am -12.30am, Monday-Saturday, and from 7am -11.30pm on Sunday. Fares are the same as the Tube.

The Docklands Light Railway is governed by Transport for London, or TfL. The DLR pet policy is the same as those for the Bus, Tube, Tram, London Overground and TfL Rail Services. Read it above, or here .

• Yes, River Boat (aka Uber Boat) is dog-friendly.

London cradles the River Thames, so traveling by river is a great way to get around the city. You’ll beat the traffic and enjoy fantastic views along the way. Plus, who doesn’t love travel by water!

The River Boat service is known as the Thames Clippers, which offer both commuter and tourist boat services. At major piers including Canary Wharf, London Bridge City, Battersea Power Station and London Eye (Waterloo), services depart at least every 20 minutes during commuter times. 

The River Boat routes are operated by Uber Boat, which is run by Thames Clippers. Fares vary according to river zones and discounts. You can purchase tickets at the pier, using Oyster, or on the Uber app. There are 23 routes to choose from, going in both directions.

The Uber Boat pet policy is as follows:

Dogs are allowed on board. Please make sure they are on a lead.

You can see the Uber Boat pet policy on their website here .

• Yes, the Emirates Air Line is dog-friendly.

London has a cable car service, and it’s the only urban cable car in the UK. It’s called the Emirates Air Line, and it opened in June, 2012. The cable car crosses the River Thames, from Greenwich to the Royal Victoria Dock. It’s not only practical, getting you from one side of the river to the other, but the cable car also offers epic panoramic views.

You can pay for the fare using an Oyster card or contactless card. You can book single tickets or a multi-journey boarding pass for 10 single trips, or even hire a private cabin for a round trip experience with up to 10 passengers.

There are only two stations, one at each end, so it’s by far the easiest mode of public transport to navigate in London.

The cable car pet policy is as follows:

You can bring an assistance dog with you without charge. You can also take with you without charge any other dog or inoffensive animal but they must be carried at all times. Some animals may not be permitted with good reason (such as if the animal seems dangerous). Please check with a member of our staff before you purchase your Boarding Pass. You must keep it under control on a lead or in a suitable container, and must not allow it on a seat. You will be held responsible for the actions of your animal. Staff are not allowed to take charge of any animal.

You can read a copy of Emirates Air Line Conditions of Carriage here .

• Yes, Santander Cycles bikes are dog-friendly.

Santander Cycles

Like many cities, London has a public bike share system called Santander Cycles. The bikes are convenient and cheap – there are over 750 docking stations and 11,500 bikes for rent all around London. The first half hour of each journey is free, and then costs £2 for 24 hours.

Santander bicycles are dog-friendly. Feel free to grab one if your dog can ride along in a backpack or is active enough to run alongside you.

You can grab a bike using a bank card at the docking station or by using the official app.

Learn more about navigating pet-friendly destinations here .

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5 Top Dog-Friendly Day Trips Out of London

Created in conjunction with Holiday Cottages.

London is all things to all men (and their dogs). With inner and outer-city parks and woodlands throughout the metropolis, there’s often no need to venture beyond the confines of the M25 ring road to further afield in England.

On the other hand, even the most devoted capital city dweller will admit that they feel the occasional pull to go on a day trip beyond the suburbs. So, rally the hounds and get on the train or pack up the car, here is a list of five of our favourite places within easy travelling distance of London .

Head to the coast or further inland to the hills where the open countryside entices and offers fantastic escapes for you and your devoted pets!

1. The Royal Town of Windsor

Distance from London: 55 minutes by train from Waterloo Best for: Big parks, green spaces and ease of reach from London

Windsor is a perennial favourite for day trippers. The royal town is directly connected to Waterloo Station, with a journey time of just 55 minutes. The great thing about Windsor is that there is a very good choice of dog-friendly parks and open spaces in the town centre.

First of all, seek out the Home Park which is a wide-open and green park (with a play park and public WCs). This park is adjacent to Riverside station and offers lots of space for your dog to hare around and children to play. Views are enhanced by Windsor Castle, which looks down over the park.

Another central park is Alexandra Gardens and the Goswells, managed gardens that line the River Thames that are a lovely place for a picnic after a stroll. There are lots of swans and ducks along the river walk, so keep your dog on its lead as a precaution. Alternatively, head across the Thames to the wild and umtamed Brocas – you can reach it via the pedestrian bridge into Eton.

At the other end of the town centre is The Long Walk, a 3-mile drive that connects Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse. Lined with trees, this is another brilliant place for a walk and a play. (Just beware of deer!) At the castle end of the Long Walk is a great pub, the Two Brewers, where you can have a refreshing drink after your adventure.

2. The Beaches of Whitstable

Distance from London: 75 minute drive from central London Best for: Long beaches, dog-friendly pubs and restaurants, and ease of reach

Lovers of sea views and long promenades will definitely appreciate a day trip to Whitstable. Famed for its oysters, there’s a lot of dog-friendly places to discover on your day trip to this seaside town, just a 75 minute drive from the centre of London.

Like many UK beaches , there are restrictions for dogs at some of Whitstable’s beaches. However, West Beach is great for all our four-legged friends to run free without hindrance. It’s a shingle beach and is privately owned.

Further along the coast is Tankerton Slopes Beach, a grassy sloped and shingle beach. There are a few dog restrictions here but it’s still a great spot for you and your dog to head to when the weather is good. Double check the signs before enjoying a scamper.

Whitstable also home to list of dog-friendly pubs and eateries as long as your arm. Don’t miss sampling some of the local oysters while in town!

3. Seaside Dungeness

Distance from London: Less than a two-hour drive from central London Best for: Open spaces, long walks and unique sights

For the widest possible contrast from the typical UK urban sprawl and lush green hillside, point the car towards the memorable seaside village of Dungeness. Situated on a vast coastal shingle bank – the largest in Europe – nature lovers will marvel at the diversity of plant and wildlife that thrive here.

Former fishermen’s huts, converted train carriages, and sleek, eco-homes are dotted across Dungeness’ stark landscape. It’s a unique place in the UK with some great walks there and at the neighbouring Romney Marshes.

Two pubs can be found in Dungeness, both of which are exceedingly dog friendly and both (yes, both) serve some of the best fish ‘n’ chips you’ll ever eat. High praise indeed but trust us – it’s hard to pick between them.

The shingle spit is also home to Dungeness A and Dungeness B, colossal nuclear power stations that dominate the skyline to the west. Embark on a fascinating tour (advance bookings only and no dogs permitted). It’s the only place in the UK where you can see a reactor (all others in England are out of sight and underwater).

Dungeness is also close to a lovely sandy beach at Lydd-on-Sea that stretches most of the way to Dymchurch in the north.

4. Dunstable Downs and Ivinghoe Beacon

Distance from London: A one-hour drive northeast of central London Best for: Walks, views and a great dog-friendly cafe

Head to the Vale of Aylesbury and you will find the jaw-droppingly beautiful chalk grassland areas of Dunstable Downs and Ivinghoe Beacon. The London Gliding School is in the valley below the steep chalk hills that form the attractive ridge – and there is lots of open space to enjoy.

The elevation of the Downs affords expansive views across the Bedfordshire countryside and you can see forever on a clear day.

Dunstable Downs hosts a modern visitor centre, including a dog-friendly café and terrace. A programme of great events takes place here but the spectacle of kite flyers and gliders soaring overhead make sure that there’s rarely a dull moment here. Ask whether they have any of their dog ice cream in stock!

For peace and quiet, head to the sunken lanes where you can spot butterflies and rare orchids when the season is right. Make sure you keep your hounds on a leash in this area as sheep graze in the surrounding fields (and there are penalties for owners of sheep-worrying dogs).

Ivinghoe Beacon is within sight of Dunstable Downs across the Vale. From the top of the beacon, you see even more brilliant views including the chalk lion on the side of the opposite hill below Whipsnade Zoo. The 95-mile long Ridgeway begins at the beacon, a long-distance trail that follows the spine of the Chilterns to Avebury in Wiltshire.

5. Eastbourne and Beachy Head

Distance from London: Less than a two-hour drive south of London Best for: Seaside strolls and lots of traditional seaside food prospects for you and your pup

Eastbourne is found on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the South East. You and your lovable pooch can enjoy never-ending expanses of the beach where your pooch can run for miles and feel the breeze.

The town is also situated on the edge of the beautiful South Downs which offers over 600 square miles of unbeatable trails for dogs and humans. There are endless streets of traditional country pubs where your dog can have a bowl of water and rest their paws after lovely country walks, while you sample the local menu.

The town has a lovely promenade to wander along with your gorgeous hound. Eastbourne has lots of places to buy ice creams or a bag of chips as you take in the trappings of this wonderful seaside resort.

Nearby Beachy Head can be seen from the town, and providing you have a head for heights and your dog can stay at heel, this is a rewarding beauty spot for all. The chalk headland towers above the sea and the sea views are world class.

In Conclusion…

All of these superb dog-friendly places can be reached by car or train from London. However, there are hundreds more places you could choose from, our selection is an inspirational primer to get you started.

A day trip can also work well as a scouting trip for a future, possibly longer visit. All of these places are great destination ideas if you’re planning dog-friendly holidays with friends, family and your dear dog. Plan your dog-friendly day trip out of London today!

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2 thoughts on “5 Top Dog-Friendly Day Trips Out of London”

Most of these places cater mainly for drivers. Please include places close to train stations.

Janet – I’ll be adding some more ideas to this post in the coming months.

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