From the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters to the ancient oaks of the New Forest — South East England is outstanding dog-walking territory. We've rounded up the best, with full dog policy notes for each.
📍 Maidstone, Kent
The 'loveliest castle in the world' sits within 500 acres of parkland and gardens, all open to dogs on leads. The circular lakeside walk is around 2.5 miles and takes you through ancient woodland, past the moat, and along the water's edge. Dogs are not permitt...
📍 Cranbrook, Kent
The National Trust estate surrounding Vita Sackville-West's famous garden is wonderful for dogs even if the world-renowned garden itself is off-limits to them. The estate walks wind through ancient woodland, orchards, and farmland — all on leads. Pack a picnic...
📍 Fordwich, near Canterbury, Kent
England's smallest town sits on a pretty bend of the Great Stour, just outside Canterbury. The riverside walks here are gentle, beautiful, and very dog-friendly — flat paths along the river through water meadows, with the town's medieval guildhall as a backdro...
📍 Seaford, East Sussex
The Seven Sisters chalk cliffs are among the most iconic landscapes in England, and the country park that runs beneath them is superb walking for dogs. The circular walk from the Cuckmere Valley to the cliff tops and back covers around 5 miles and delivers spe...
📍 Lamberhurst, East Sussex
The largest area of open water in the South East offers one of the best dog walks in the region — a 13-mile circular trail around the reservoir through ancient woodland and open farmland. Shorter sections are equally enjoyable, and the café at the visitor cent...
📍 Alfriston, East Sussex
One of the prettiest villages in the South Downs, Alfriston sits in the Cuckmere valley between Seaford and Polegate. The village green, the medieval church, and the surrounding downland walks are all beautifully dog-friendly. The Singing Kettle tea room is a ...
📍 Rye, East Sussex
The medieval hilltop town of Rye is one of the most atmospheric places in England and very welcoming to dogs. The cobbled streets, ancient city walls, and harbour marshes all make for excellent exploring. Many independent cafés and pubs throughout the town wel...
📍 Eastbourne, East Sussex
The clifftop path from Eastbourne to Beachy Head is one of the most dramatic short walks in southern England — 530 feet above the sea with the striped red-and-white lighthouse far below. Dogs are welcome on the clifftop path on leads (essential near the edge) ...
📍 Dorking, Surrey
One of the most popular dog walks in the South East, and for good reason. Box Hill offers 1,400 acres of open downland, ancient yew woodland, and chalk escarpment with far-reaching views across the Surrey Hills. The National Trust visitor centre café welcomes ...
📍 Dorking, Surrey
At 294 metres, Leith Hill is the highest point in South East England. The National Trust woodland walks up to the Gothic tower are beautiful in any season — bluebell woods in spring, bracken in autumn, frost on the tower in winter. The café at Starveall Corner...
📍 Great Bookham, Surrey
An Edwardian country house in a supremely beautiful Surrey Hills position, with a long dog walk that circles the estate through rolling farmland and ancient hedgerow. The formal walled gardens are off-limits to dogs, but the estate walk is around 2.5 miles and...
📍 Virginia Water, Surrey
The ornamental lake and surrounding parkland at Virginia Water offer around 4.5 miles of flat, accessible walking — perfect for all ages of dogs. The cascade, the totem pole, the ruins of a Roman temple (genuine ancient stonework brought from Leptis Magna), an...
📍 Frensham, Surrey
A large Surrey heathland lake popular for walking and, in a change to previous arrangements, dogs are welcome on the heath and woodland trails around the pond. Note that dogs are not permitted on the beach or barrow areas at any time of year, and swimming in t...
📍 Westhumble, Surrey
One of the most iconic spots in the Surrey Hills — the ancient stepping stones across the River Mole at the foot of Box Hill. Dogs love them, and they're entirely safe when the river is at normal levels (the NT posts warnings if the level is too high). The wal...
📍 Shere, Surrey
The most photographed village in Surrey sits at the foot of the North Downs in one of the prettiest valleys in the region. The White Horse pub in the village centre has been welcoming dogs since long before it was fashionable, the stream through the village is...
📍 Dorking, Surrey
England's largest single-estate vineyard sits on the North Downs above Dorking, with spectacular views over the Mole Valley. Dogs are welcome to walk the vineyard trails (a 2-mile circular through the vines is particularly enjoyable), and the outdoor terrace o...
📍 Hampshire
The New Forest is arguably the finest dog-walking destination in southern England. Over 200 miles of bridleways and forest tracks, ancient heathland, inclosures of ancient oak and beech, and stretches of open common where the famous New Forest ponies and cattl...
📍 Milford on Sea, Hampshire
The walk out to Hurst Castle along the mile-long shingle spit is one of the most dramatic short walks in Hampshire. The views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and back to the Needles are spectacular, and the castle itself — built by Henry VIII — is fasci...
📍 Exbury, Hampshire
The world-famous Rothschild woodland garden on the Beaulieu River estuary welcomes dogs on the dedicated dog-friendly trail through the outer estate. The rhododendrons and azaleas in late spring are genuinely breathtaking. Note the late summer dog walk note: v...
📍 Beaulieu, New Forest, Hampshire
The picture-postcard New Forest village of Beaulieu sits at the head of the Beaulieu River estuary, with the famous motor museum and Palace House Estate behind it. Dogs are welcome on the riverside walk along the estuary and in the village itself. Several vill...
📍 Christchurch, Dorset/Hampshire border
The Mudeford Sandbank sits at the entrance to Christchurch Harbour and is one of the most unusual and beautiful spots on the south coast. You can reach it by a small passenger ferry from Mudeford Quay — the beach huts here are among the most expensive in Engla...
📍 Calshot, Southampton Water, Hampshire
A quiet shingle and sand beach at the tip of a spit on Southampton Water, Calshot is one of Hampshire's least-discovered dog-friendly beaches. The views across the Solent are excellent — you can watch the Cunard liners making their turns in the channel — and t...
📍 Lyndhurst, Hampshire
The 'capital' of the New Forest is the best base for a dog-walking day out in the region. From the high street you can walk directly into open forest within minutes. The Forest Tea House in the village welcomes dogs, as does the Crown Hotel bar. The surroundin...
📍 Winchester, Hampshire
The cathedral close and surrounding water meadows form one of the most beautiful urban walking environments in southern England. Dogs are welcome in the cathedral grounds on leads, and the water meadow walk along the River Itchen — immortalised by Keats — is s...