When you want to get away from it all, a country park can provide lots of fun adventures, as Andrea McHugh explains...
Credit: Alexander Frances Photography
Sometimes when we think about a day out visiting the park, we can feel a bit discouraged by visions of relatively small, confined areas with manicured grass, structured flower beds, a few swings and rules that make it clear dogs are not really welcome. But country parks today are very different and a visit to your local one or a trip out to explore new ones can open up a whole world of adventures for you and your dog.
According to Natural England, more than 400 country parks exist, and most are owned and managed by local authorities. They are described as public green spaces, often at the edge of urban areas, and are designed to provide places where people can enjoy the outdoors and experience nature – with the added benefits of a few very useful facilities such as car parks, toilets, cafes, paths and trails, as well as visitor information centres.
Credit: Alexander Frances Photography
Melton Country Park, Leicestershire
Whenever I take my three little dogs to the groomers in the market town of Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, I also take the opportunity for me and my rescue Collie, Smiley Sango, to enjoy a one-to-one walk in Melton Country Park. This park is something of a hidden gem, with the entrance hidden in the middle of a housing estate near the heart of the town, but once you have followed the brown and white signposts you suddenly find yourself transported to a beautiful 140-acre park with a huge range of things to enjoy including play areas for children and dog agility trails.
Car parking is free, and an hour or two here is so restorative if you are feeling a bit stressed or simply need a change of scene. Sango and I love exploring new trails, posing for pictures by the sculptures, playing on the sturdy wooden agility equipment and going through the tunnels that are dotted around the park. Although dogs are not allowed in the lakes, there are so many different beautiful views and wildlife to look at, and a good supply of benches so it is always a pleasure to sit and watch the world go by.
Well behaved dogs with good recall are allowed off lead throughout the park, apart from in the children’s play areas, and after exploring the trails we inevitably end up in the wonderfully named Sunny Skies café and visitor’s centre, which is very dog-friendly and provides superb food and drink, as well as cooked sausages for the dogs, bags of handmade dog treats and ample water bowls. I always check beforehand to make sure that the café is open on the day I’m going and if it isn’t I’ll pack up some sandwiches and a flask of tea to have a car picnic with Sango. If you and your dog are in the Melton area, I definitely recommend this country park as a great place to visit!
For further information, visit melton.gov.uk/leisure-health-and-community/parks-and-green-spaces/melton-country-park
Credit: Rushcliffe Country Park
Rushcliffe Country Park, Nottinghamshire
This beautiful country park, located on the outskirts of Nottingham, provides another great escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here you can find 210 acres of green fields, a wildflower meadow, sculptures, trails and a dog agility area, plus a fantastic play area for children, lakes, and a dog-friendly café called Coffee and Cake. The café has outdoor seating, complete with a shelter in case of bad weather, and as with all areas of the park, well behaved dogs are very welcome.
Certain areas of the Rushcliffe Country Park are designated as on lead zones, including the car park, around the lakeside and the children’s play areas, but there are also plenty of fields where dogs are allowed off lead. People are encouraged to clean up after their dogs and packs of high-quality poo bags are available to buy at the ranger’s office. The rangers love dogs so much that they often bring their own dogs to work with them!
The agility area is fenced and gated, with lots of robust, fun obstacles and activities to help keep your dog entertained. The trail is open and free to be used at any time, and there are instructions on the trail to help keep dogs and people safe whilst enjoying the equipment.
The park is accessible all year round, but the visitor centre and toilets are open for set periods so check before you set off. Car parking is available from 8am to 6pm, at a cost of £1.50 for up to three hours and £3 for over three hours, although once inside you can leave at any time via the access to the park.
Credit: Claire Giles
Druridge Bay Country Park, Northumberland
Druridge Bay Country Park is a large park situated between Amble and Creswell, and comprises a large freshwater lake, woodland, grassland, meadows and four miles of stunning golden sand beaches with dunes stretching to the north and south. It is advisable to time your visit when the tide is out so that you and your dog can enjoy the vast expanses of beach in all its beautiful glory.
When exploring the country park, you can follow a network of well signposted paths that will enable you to tailor your walk according to how much time you have available. The paths can get a little muddy during the autumn and winter, so sturdy walking boots are advised if there has been a lot of rain. The beach is just 300 metres from the visitor’s centre, and after your walk you can buy a drink and snack from the café. Although dogs are not allowed in the café, there are plenty of seating areas where you can relax and enjoy your food. There is also a viewing platform and a gift shop, water sports, and a children’s play area and picnic area. Importantly, a toilet is available at Druridge Bay 24/7 and is conveniently located close to the dog drinking station.
Dogs are welcome on the beach all year round, and the circular walk around Ladyburn Lake is about one and a half miles. The park is home to several smaller nature reserves that are rich in wildlife and birds, so keep dogs on the lead during the ground nesting season, and be careful to pick up after your dog and take any dog waste home with you to dispose of it responsibly. There are three car parks at Druridge Bay and the first hour of car parking is free, with a charge of £2.50 for two hours and £4.50 for the day. Annual permits are available for regular visitors.
For more information, visit visitnorthumberland.com/explore/destinations/wildlife-nature/druridge-bay-country-park