The UK boasts incredible scenic settings to walk your dog, from rugged coastlines to blossoming meadows to ancient forests — and Gloucestershire is an envied destination for canine adventures.
New research from insurance provider, Petsure, reveals the top 10 most popular dog walks in the country, with Gloucestershire's Westonbirt Arboretum coming in at number nine.
With a seedlist of 200 top dog walks around the UK and using social media, the research followed a methodology comparing Instagram and TikTok posts to determine which trails are the most scenic places to explore with your pooch.
Dr Corinne Wigfall MRCVS, a vet working with Petsure, said: 'Walking isn’t just good for your dog's physical health; it's also crucial for their mental wellbeing.
'Exploring outdoors allows your dog to discover a variety of new scents, sights, and sounds for mental enrichment.'
Topping the list is Bushy Park in Greater London, with over 170,000 tagged posts on Instagram and 1,729 on TikTok, while Dovestone Reservoir and Roundhay Park in West Yorkshire took the second and third spots respectively.
Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, takes the ninth spot with 51,000 tagged Instagram posts and 313 TikTok tags.
The list also features Bradgate Park in the East Midlands; Delamere Forest Walk in Cheshire; Willingham Woods in Lincoln; Sutton Park and Coombe Abbey Country Park in the West Midlands; and Holkham Beach in Norfolk.
It may come as no surprise that Westonbirt is so popular, as it features 2,500 different tree species from across the globe as well as five national tree collections to take in.
As well as being a paw-fect place for dog walking, the arboretum also offers a host of seasonal activities and initiatives for all ages to enjoy the wonder of nature, including its family play trail — brand-new for the 2024 summer holidays.
