Looking to get outside for a bit of a yomp with your four-legged friend but sick of the same old loop? Well, luckily Manchester isn’t too far from some of the most scenic walks in the UK for you and your dog to have a wander round, with a nearby spot named one of the best in a recent study.
Petsure analysed social media data to find out which dog walks are the most paw-fect to take your beloved pooches on this summer. The pet insurance company compared Instagram and TikTok posts in order to determine which trails are the most scenic places to explore, with Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham, just a 45 minute drive from Manchester city centre, coming in second place.
Positioned on the western side of the Peak District National Park, pet parents and their four-legged friends can explore four kilometres of beautiful scenery. The walk around Dovestone Reservoir is mostly flat with plenty of grassy off-lead areas for dogs to enjoy, and is considered a good option for older dogs or those with health conditions needing an easier walk with less hilly terrain, according to Petsure.
The hashtag for the Peak District area featured in 7,647 Instagram posts and 1,785 TikTok posts. However, Bushy Park, the second largest of London’s eight Royal Parks and located near Hampton Court Palace, managed to nab first place with a whopping 170,377 Instagram posts featuring #BushyPark.
Top 10 Most Scenic Dog Walks in the UK
1. Bushy Park, Greater London
2. Dovestone Reservoir, Oldham
3. Roundhay Park, West Yorkshire
4. Bradgate Park, East Midlands
5. Delamere Forest Walk, Cheshire
6. Willingham Woods, Lincoln
7. Sutton Park, West Midlands
8. Coombe Abbey Country Park, West Midlands
9. Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucester
10. Holkham Beach, Norfolk
Another spot near Manchester which made the top five was Delamere Forest in Cheshire. The popular dog-walking destination features a variety of trails from gentle strolls to more challenging routes, with many situated around the wetlands of Blackmere Moss Lake. One trail in the forest in particular, the Old Pale, even offers a picturesque view of the Liverpool skyline.
Also appearing in the top 20 list of most scenic dog walks was Hollingworth Lake Country Park in Littleborough and Witch Wood in Lytham St Anne’s.