London is a vibrant city with plenty of activities for dog lovers and their furry friends. Whether you’re looking to explore historic landmarks, relax in beautiful parks, or enjoy a bite to eat at a dog-friendly café, London has something for everyone. Here’s a guide to some of the best dog-friendly spots throughout the city.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is a historic landmark where you and your canine companion can explore the iconic towers and Victorian engine rooms. You’ll discover the stories of the people behind Tower Bridge, from the architects to the engineers, coal stokers, and the women working on-site. Enjoy the spectacular view of the Thames through the glass floor. Dogs must be kept on leads throughout your visit.

Website: Tower Bridge

Egerton House Hotel

This boutique hotel in the heart of Knightsbridge offers a bespoke doggy afternoon tea featuring chicken liver and beef meatloaf, homemade peanut butter dog biscuits, and a carrot cupcake, all for £30 per dog. You can also treat your furry friend to a Dogtini, a homemade chicken consommé martini with turkey skewers, plus canapés, also priced at £30 per dog.

Website: Egerton House Hotel

Top Parks for Walks

London’s parks are some of the best places to enjoy a stroll with your dog. Here are a few top picks:

Hampstead Heath offers 800 acres of woodland and meadows, with plenty of space for your dog to run and explore. The park also has cafes where you can relax and enjoy a meal.

Epping Forest, London’s largest open space, covers 2,400 hectares and includes 50,000 ancient pollard trees, 100 lakes and ponds, and various habitats. It’s a perfect spot for a day out with your dog.

Hackney Marshes spans 336 acres of protected commons and features a café and a public terrace, making it a great place for a relaxing walk with your pet.

Royal Parks of London

The Royal Parks of London are also fantastic for dog walks. You can learn more about these beautiful green spaces in the Royal Parks of London YouTube video.

Local Pubs

Many pubs in London welcome dogs, providing a cozy spot to relax after a long walk. Some top dog-friendly pubs include:

Smith and Whistle in Mayfair is renowned for being one of the most dog-friendly bars in London, even offering a drinks list created entirely for canine consumption, with options like the Poochie Colada.

The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead is a 16th-century pub close to Hampstead Village and Parliament Hill, offering British classics, treats, and water bowls for dogs in its large garden.

The Duke of Sussex in Waterloo is a gastropub with a signature gin infused on-site and a beer garden where dogs are welcome.

Ride on the River

GoBoat offers boat rentals in locations such as Little Venice, Kingston, and Canary Wharf. Each boat seats up to six people and a dog, making it a fun and unique way to explore London’s waterways with your pet.

Website: GoBoat

Community Gardens

London’s community gardens are perfect for a peaceful retreat with your dog:

Dalston Eastern Curve Garden is a garden oasis with a pizza café, named after the old railway line it’s built on. It runs a weekly support group for older people every Tuesday.

Postmans Park, near St Pauls Cathedral, is home to the “Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice” and features paths, bushes, and flowers, providing a serene spot for a walk.

Nomadic Community Garden near Kings Cross is a unique, colorful garden with street art, ideal for a leisurely visit with your dog.

Historic Houses

Visiting historic houses with your dog can be a delightful experience:

Osterley House is a Georgian country estate in Isleworth with colorful formal gardens, herbaceous borders, roses, and ornamental vegetable beds. The estate also has a café where you can enjoy a meal with your dog.

Marble Hill House in Twickenham offers a taste of Georgian life with 66 acres of riverside parkland, a family trail, Georgian games in the garden, a new playground, and a refurbished café. Regular free community events are also hosted here.

Top Dog Friendly London Neighbourhoods

Certain London neighbourhoods are particularly dog-friendly, offering a range of parks and places to eat:

Richmond upon Thames is known for its open spaces like Richmond Park, the largest of London’s Royal Parks. Here, dogs are allowed off-leash in most parts of the park. The area features Georgian and Victorian townhouses, Edwardian and Victorian terraced houses, modern apartments, and riverside homes.

Greenwich offers beautiful views of the city skyline and the River Thames from Greenwich Park. Dogs are welcome throughout the park, which also includes a café and children’s playground. The neighbourhood features Georgian and Victorian terraced houses, period cottages, Edwardian homes, and modern flats.

Hackney is home to Victoria Park, known locally as “Vicky Park,” which has green spaces, lakes, and a café. Dogs are allowed throughout the park, with a designated off-leash area. The area includes Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses, converted warehouses and industrial buildings, modern apartments, and newly developed housing estates.

Wimbledon offers dog-friendly places to eat like The Dog & Fox and Hemingway. Wimbledon Common provides wide-open spaces, woodlands, and ponds where dogs are welcome. The area includes Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses, period cottages, spacious family homes, and modern flats.

Islington features dog-friendly places like The Albion and The Canonbury, and Highbury Fields offers large open spaces with designated dog-walking areas. The neighbourhood includes Georgian and Victorian terraced houses, Edwardian villas, period conversions, modern flats, and some contemporary new builds.

Enjoy exploring these dog-friendly spots throughout London with your four-legged friend!