Our Favourite Dog Walks in South London 

If you and your pup are walking the same loops every day, you might start to feel like you’re living in Groundhog Day. 

Adding in a bit of variety can keep you both happy. New surfaces, new smells, a different “sniffari” route for them, and a great coffee, cake, or pub stop on the route for you. Everyone wins.

Here are some of our favourite South London Dog walks that actually feel like a mini adventure.

South East London Dog Walks

It might surprise you how easy it is to escape city life in South East London with some really great spots to explore. With everything from hilly woodland, to open parks, we definitely recommend adding one of these to your usual walk rotation. 

Croham Hurst, Croydon

Hilly, rugged, and properly satisfying.
For a walk that feels more like a proper hike than a simple park loop, Croham Hurst is a brilliant pick. This steep wooded hill rewards you with a genuine “I earned this” feeling at the top, and a great view. 

• Best for confident walkers and dogs who enjoy a bit of terrain
• After wet weather, expect mud and slippery slopes (fun for dogs, but maybe not your clean coat!)
• Keep dogs under control on steeper or narrow paths

Why it’s great
Rugged terrain, wooded views, and the satisfaction of a proper mini-hike make this walk stand out from flatter, simpler park loops.

The “Lion, Witch & Wardrobe” Walk Narnia Trail, Banstead Woods 

Genuinely charming woodland fun.
Banstead Woods, just inside the M25, features an official Narnia Trail with carved figures and a wardrobe you can actually walk through. It’s a short, joyful addition to a woodland wander.

• Ideal for a low-stress stroll with plenty of sniffing and a few “photo stop” moments,
• Keep dogs under close control in woodland areas, especially around children exploring the sculptures.

Why it’s great
A magical woodland walk that is especially great for walking with kids and dogs, short enough for a quick outing, but full of surprises and photogenic features.

Keston Ponds and Keston Common, Bromley

Pond loops, heathland, and a proper nature reset.
Keston Common feels quietly special, a mix of open common, woodland, and ponds. It’s part of the Hayes and Keston Common Local Nature Reserves, managed by Bromley council, which includes ancient woodlands, wetlands, and heathland. It is rich in biodiversity, including rare plant species. 

The walk is highly flexible with a short pond loop when you’re pressed for time  or enjoy a longer one when you want more space and scenery

• Bromley’s dog controls allow authorised officers to ask owners to put dogs on leads in certain areas or circumstances, have a lead ready,
• Around ponds and wildlife, keeping dogs on lead is usually the easiest and safest choice.

Why it’s great
A peaceful, repeatable walk with options for length, varied scenery, and real nature reset vibes.

Belair Par, Dulwich

A gorgeous “hidden” park with a lake feel.
Belair Park is a real gem. This historic Grade II listed landscape features Belair Hall, a lovely lake created with the damming the River Effra, and a calm, peaceful atmosphere that’s perfect for a relaxed walk.

• Dogs are welcome in most of the park,
• Keep dogs out of restricted areas, such as the children’s playground,
• Be considerate on busier paths and enjoy the main park spaces.

Why it’s great
A tranquil, photogenic park with open lawns, water views, and the “hidden gem” vibe that makes it feel like a proper mini escape.

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South West London Dogs Walks

You might have done Richmond Park, but South West London is brimming with brilliant walks for you and your four-legged friend. Discover some great alternatives for you and your pooch below. 

Ham Lands and Teddington Lock

Riverside calm with a pub reward.
Ham Lands feels like a proper ‘doesn’t feel like London’ walk. Situated right by the Thames, it offers a mix of habitats from woodland to wetland, making it popular with dog walkers and nature lovers alike.

A highlight of the route is the Teddington Lock footbridge, which not only takes you to The Anglers pub, but provides a great photo opportunity.

• Dogs are welcome throughout Ham Lands and along the Thames paths,
• Keep dogs under control near wildlife areas, the river, and the footbridge,
• Leash dogs where paths are narrow or around other visitors.

Why it’s great
Spacious riverside walking, varied scenery, and the bonus of a satisfying pub finish make this a very complete outing.

Richmond Riverside to Ham Common

The classic South West London stroll.
When you want a walk that feels scenic and timeless, Richmond Riverside can’t be beaten, water, boats, and greenery. Keep the walk rambly and let it naturally turn into a longer wander toward Ham Common. There are plenty of Riverside cafés and pubs that offer a perfect post (or even mid) walk treats.

• Dogs are welcome along the riverside paths and Ham Common,
• Keep dogs under control near boats, riverside crowds, and café areas,
• Leash dogs where paths narrow or near wildlife.

Why it’s great
This is a slow, gentle, and endlessly scenic walk, perfect for combining riverside strolling with a relaxed coffee or pub stop along the way.

Marble Hill Park

Big lawns, riverside calm, and a hidden classic.
Marble Hill Park makes you feel like you’ve escaped the city without actually going anywhere. Spanning over 60 acres of riverside parkland, it offers wide-open, unhurried spaces that are perfect for a relaxed dog walk. With a dog-friendly cafe open year-round to refuel you and your pooch.

• Dogs are welcome throughout the park,
• Keep dogs under control near the river and around other visitors,
• Paths and lawns are spacious, making it easy for dogs to enjoy a wander.

Why it’s great
It’s a big sky, space to decompress kind of place, with photogenic spots that make any walk feel refreshing.

Old Deer Park

Big skies, easy miles, and a fascinating history.
Old Deer Park is perfect for a straightforward, spacious walk that won’t turn into a mudfest. Its name has a story too, as it was originally a hunting park created by James I in 1604.

• Dogs are welcome throughout the park,
• Keep dogs under close control around any wildlife and busy areas,
• Paths are wide and firm, so easy for dogs to walk alongside humans.

Why it’s great
Open, simple, and reliably pleasant, ideal for a steady walk and clearing your head without any fuss.

Richmond Park

We couldn’t not include this classic with the Isabella Plantation, Pen Ponds, and more to explore.
If South West London has a main-event dog walk, it’s Richmond Park. It’s vast, varied, and endlessly rewarding, you can visit a dozen times and still discover new routes and moods.

Two highlights that never lose their impact are Isabella Plantation, the famous woodland garden, and Pen Ponds, which delivers a genuine big nature moment right in the middle of London.

Important read before you go…

• 1 May–31 July (deer birthing season): dogs must be kept on lead throughout the entire park,

• Dogs must be kept on a short lead in skylark protection zones all year,
• Dogs should be kept on lead around ponds and lakes,
• Dogs must always be kept under close control around deer.

Why it’s great
The scale is unmatched, long, satisfying walks with landmark moments that make it feel special every single time.

Box Hill

A proper day out, you’ll need to bring your walking shoes.

If you’re up for a slightly further-out adventure that feels more like a mini-hike, Box Hill is a brilliant choice. It’s full Surrey Hills energy, big climbs, big views, and that deeply satisfying feeling that you’ve earned whatever comes next.

A classic highlight is the Stepping Stones route, a favourite for a reason, and one of those small moments that turns a walk into a proper memory.

• Dogs are welcome on Box Hill
• Well-behaved dogs on lead are allowed inside the National Trust café,
• There’s also plenty of outdoor seating if you want space to stretch out post-walk.

Why it’s great
It delivers a we went somewhere feeling, fresh air, effort, views, and a very well-timed café stop at the end.

Morden Hall Park

Riverside calm with café, garden centre, and a curious aquatics bonus.
Morden Hall Park feels like a mini day trip, even though it’s still very much London. Quiet paths, the steady presence of the River Wandle, and lots of small discoveries make it an especially calming place to wander.

There are even two cafes and a National Trust Garden Centre!

• Dogs are welcome across much of the park,
• Paths can be narrower and busier near the river, so closer control is sensible,
• Expect higher foot traffic around café and garden centre areas.

Why it’s great
It’s a walk that naturally turns into a sequence: park stroll → café stop → garden centre browse. Easy, satisfying, and a little bit different.

Beddington Park

Beautiful, varied, and quietly underrated.
Beddington Park is another one that’s absolutely worth the visit. It offers a real mix of woodland paths, wildlife, formal gardens, and also has the River Wandle flowing through the park into the lake in the Grange Garden.

• Dogs are welcome throughout most of the park,
• Expect busier areas around the formal gardens and lake,
• Keeping dogs under close control is sensible near wildlife and water.

Why it’s great
It’s photogenic in every season and has that calm, spacious feel that makes a walk genuinely feel like a reset rather than just time outside.

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South London Dogs Walks 

South London is full of brilliant commons and parks to explore. Here are just a few of our favourites.

Streatham Common

Open space with a scenic garden bonus.
Streatham Common is a classic because it’s easy to tailor to your mood. You can keep things simple with big skies, open space, and plenty of ‘sniffari’ potential, or make the walk feel more scenic by heading towards the garden areas.

• Dogs are welcome on Streatham Common,
• The Rookery requires dogs to be kept on lead,
• The garden areas are best treated as a slower, calmer section of the walk.

Why it’s great
You still get a really satisfying, spacious walk on the Common itself, and the Rookery adds a lovely “bonus” moment for humans without taking away from the overall experience.

Wandsworth Common

A stress-free walk with a guaranteed café reward.

Wandsworth Common is the definition of an easy, no-pressure walk. The paths are smooth, the space is generous, and it feels like a proper local day out rather than something you’re ticking off for exercise.

The Skylark Café is a great place to finish: good coffee, good food, and a genuinely dog-friendly setup where your dog can relax beside you

• Dogs are welcome across the Common,
• The Skylark Café is openly dog-friendly,
• Dogs are allowed inside and on the terrace, provided they’re kept on lead.

Why it’s great
Consistent, comfortable walking paired with a reliable café reward at the end, it’s a crowd-pleaser for both humans and dogs.

Tooting Common / Tooting Bec Common

Lake views and a well-loved café stop.
Tooting’s commons are ideal when you want a walk that feels expansive without needing to get in the car. There’s plenty of space, and it’s easy to shape your route around the lake, the water features, and long open stretches.

Tooting Bec Common Café (part of the San Remo park cafés) is a perfect place to finish for a hot drink and a treat.

• Dogs are welcome across both commons,
• Expect busier paths at peak times, especially near the lake,
• Extra care is sensible around water and wildlife, particularly during warmer months.

Why it’s great
Open, social, and easy to vary, it works just as well for a quick loop as it does for a longer, meandering wander.

Wimbledon Common

Huge, varied, and interesting in any weather.
If South London has a proper countryside option, this is it. Wimbledon Common is enormous, and what really sets it apart is the variety, dense woodland when it’s wet, open stretches when you want space, and ponds and winding paths that make every walk feel slightly different.

• Dogs are welcome across the Common,
•  Wimbledon & Putney Commons guidance requires dogs to be kept on lead around all ponds,
• Extra care is needed during bird nesting season, when on-lead rules are particularly important near wildlife areas.

Why it’s great
This is the walk you choose when you don’t want the weather deciding your mood, there’s always somewhere sheltered, spacious, or interesting to head towards.

Nonsuch Park

Spacious, beautiful, and ideal for responsible dog walking.

Nonsuch Park is one of those places people often overlook, which is exactly why it’s worth visiting. It’s large, scenic, and feels like a proper day out rather than a quick loop.

• Responsible dog walking is welcome throughout most of the park,
• The Formal Garden is dog-free,
• Dogs should be kept on lead near the Nonsuch Pantry,
• Additional on-lead and restricted areas apply around the café and mansion.

Why it’s great
The sense of space and the generally quieter feel make this a brilliant option for longer, calmer walks.

Crystal Palace Park

Dinosaurs, a hedge maze, and a proper mini adventure.
Crystal Palace Park is a brilliant weekend option. The park is spacious and interesting anyway, but the real draw is the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, unveiled in 1854 and still one of the park’s most distinctive (and completely free) features.

Add in the Crystal Palace Maze and the walk starts to feel like a small adventure rather than just a lap of green space.

• Dogs are welcome across most of the park,
• Expect busier areas around the dinosaurs and maze, especially at weekends,
• Keeping dogs under close control is sensible near families, water, and attraction areas.

Why it’s great
It adds novelty without feeling gimmicky, a spacious walk with built-in points of interest that make the trip feel worth the effort.

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Make a Day Trip of it at Ardingly Reservoir 

Want to go a bit further afield? 

For a proper day out, Ardingly Reservoir is a lovely option. The Ramblers route starts at the free Ardingly Reservoir car park, which has a café and toilets, and the walk takes in open countryside views and the striking Ouse Valley Viaduct.

• Dogs are welcome, but bring proper walking shoes and a towel in the car
• Expect fields, mud, and other countryside realities (livestock, gates, and signage)
• Keep dogs under control around livestock and on narrower paths

Why it’s great
Wide-open countryside, photogenic views, and the combination of water and viaduct make this a satisfying mini-adventure for humans and dogs alike.

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There are so many great spaces to explore with your four-legged friend, and it’s always good to add in a bit of variety to their routines. New routes or big weekend walks can give them a great boost, especially as the days start to get longer. 

We’d love to know if you head out to explore any of these areas – tag us in your photos @dnavetcare.