South Kesteven is a great place to explore with you four legged best friends, there are plenty of parks and green spaces that are open to the public and often for free. This blog discusses some of our favourites, if you would like to recommend somewhere to take a dog for a walk, then send us an email to discover@southkesteven.gov.uk we love to hear from you!
Bourne Woods is the perfect spot for dog walking, it is peaceful and beautiful. There are winding pathways and lovely spots for pond side picnics for when you want to take a rest. The woodland is ancient and therefore there are interesting trees and lots of wildlife including kingfishers and herons for those who also enjoy a little birdwatching. Bourne Woods is free to access and there is parking nearby.
Londonthorpe Woods contains wildflower meadows as well as open fields and a range of different trees of all ages. It is a great place to let your dog explore new smells. There are often cattle in the open fields so be sure to keep your dog on a lead and close all gates behind you. Car parking is nearby and free to use.
Burghley Deer Park is open daily to enjoy with no charge for parking, dogs must be always kept on a lead for the safety of the deer’s and your dogs. This is a wonderful place to go for a walk and the house makes for a stunning backdrop on any day of the year.
Market Deeping is located on the river Welland, which makes it a perfect place for a riverside walk. There are several bridges along the route, and you can simply follow the treelined footpath along the river to enjoy the peaceful walk. If you continue, for a longer walk, you can head towards the Deepings Lakes Nature Reserve.
Belton Park is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm, dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens, parkland, shops, and the stables café. There is a cost to enter the grounds and park unless you are a member of the national trust. Belton Park covers around 1,300 acres and is an ancient deer park, there are also grazing sheep, ponds, and plenty of woodland to be explored.
Grantham canal has a towpath that has been rebuilt and is now a lovely place to take your dog for a walk. It is also a cycling route, therefore keep an eye out for those on two wheels. The canal walk has a rich diversity of wildlife including the sedge warbler, reed warbler and reed bunting. If you want to see boats on the river then head towards Woolsthorpe as there is a stretch of the river that is now navigable and there are often boats trips operating in the area.
From the 28th March Grimsthorpe Park and Gardens reopen and will be ready to be explored, make sure you check Grimsthorpe Castles website for opening times and prices. Grimsthorpe Park is a vast and beautiful estate, the park itself is just over 3,000 acres and is five miles across at its longest point, making it a great place to go for a walk with your pet. Deer roam free across the estate so make sure your dog is always on a lead. Visitors can pick up a walking map from the ticket hut and follow the trail signs which cover routes of up to ten miles, this is a great way to discover the hidden gems around the parkland.
Special thanks to Bentley for being the best model on a dog walking blog, such a good boy!
Remember to always keep your dog on a lead, use bins and to close gates behind you, thank you.
