In recent weeks as the UK went into lockdown we all had to adapt to a new daily routine, including our four legged friends. Exercise is so important for dogs, not only for their physical health but their mental wellbeing too, and a daily walk is essential as it allows them to burn off energy that has built up.
Given the current circumstances, taking your dog for a walk may be harder than it usually would. Some dogs may require a few walks a day while others may only need one, this is dependent on your dog’s health and fitness levels as well as their age. Hopefully as restrictions are slowly lifted you’ll be able to find the right balance to ensure your pooch gets enough exercise on their daily walk.
If you want to find out how long your dog needs to be walked for, this dog walking calculator from Regatta gives you a rough idea based on your dog’s breed. Taking your dog out for a walk is not only beneficial for them but it will do you some good too.
Luckily for Zuki and I, we have some great locations nearby that make great dog walks. Here’s a few of our favourite places.
Sherwood Pines
Sherwood Pines is the largest forest in the East Midlands that is open to the public. With 3,300 acres of woodland it’s a great place for your dog to wander and explore. The forest hosts a number of events throughout the year which are dog friendly and there are plenty of wooded pathways for Zuki to explore both here and at Blidworth Woods. This is another popular location amongst the dog walking community, situated at the southern end of Sherwood Forest with a shorter white route plus a longer blue trail, which is just over three miles. At the end of our walk we love to head to Jan’s Van to get a dog sausage! Hope she can reopen soon!!!
Burntstump Country Park
Another one of our favourite walks is Burntstump Country Park, which we go to quite often. It’s great for dog walkers as there’s a good combination of grassy and wooded areas. The park looks great in any weather and we often meet up with Zuki’s furry friends for a game of catch.
Kings Mill Reservoir
This nature reserve makes a great dog walking route as you can follow the trail around the lake, which provides stunning views and has plenty of waterfowl such as ducks, geese and swans. There are usually people in boats on the lake, or people fishing and it’s just a really lovely place to take a nice afternoon stroll. Currently there is a one way system in place and notices to maintain social distancing. There’s also an on-site cafe that has a range of hot and cold food should you wish to visit after your walk which we hope can reopen soon.
Thieves Wood
Thieves Wood is enjoyed by many, with or without dogs – but it does provide a quick dog walking route if you’re in a hurry. At the entry to the woods there is a specific loop which is close to the car park. There are a variety of trails to take, each offering differing terrain for all abilities. Dogs are not required to wear leads but the woods are popular with horse riders, ramblers and bikers so keep this in mind if you visit.
We also love to explore our village, Ravenshead, as it’s really friendly and safe, with lots of dog friendly pubs (hopefully open again soon) and shops. Dogs are especially welcome in the post office where they are offered a dog biscuit. This make Zuki very happy. These are just a few places I like to take Zuki for a walk but we’re lucky to have many more close by too.
Article in conjunction with Regatta.
Zuki's Dog Blog 