Dog walking in North East England

 

Dogs and their owners are welcome at all our sites. Where better to exercise your dog than one of the Northeast’s beautiful woodlands and forests?

Dog walkers constitute the largest group of visitors to Britain’s forests. The importance of this group to the Forestry Commission was reflected in the signing of a Concordat in 2005 with the Kennel Club. The aim of the Concordat was to ‘work together to improve people’s health and well-being through dog ownership whilst respecting the forest environment and the needs of other users.’

Read the concordat between the Kennel Club and the Forestry Commission [PDF 1.16MB]

Dog walkers have the freedom to roam throughout the forest with the only exception being play areas for children. All that exercise will not only lead to one thirsty owner but also a thirsty dog. At the visitor centres in Kielder and Hamsterley, cafes and dog watering points provide welcome relief.

Please note that forests are unlike town parks and we do not provide dog bins at the majority of our sites. We ask visiting dog walkers to help keep the forest path network and picnic sites free of dog mess by either bagging the waste and taking it home with you, or by flicking the poo off the path and into the undergrowth.

Waymarked trails where you can walk your dog