Try some pawsitively brilliant walks near Highways England routes.
Drivers planning a post lockdown trip with their dogs are being urged to take a break and enjoy one of the many outstanding walks that can be found just off England’s motorways and major A roads this summer.
After the restrictions of the last few months it’s completely understandable that people want to get out and about again and many will be including their dogs in the fun.
To make sure drivers and their pooches stay happy and safe on road trips Highways England has teamed up with the Driving with Dogs website to suggest some top stop off ideas for a mid-trip break or day out.
- A38, Plympton, Devon – Saltram House Park is a National Trust mansion with a most imposing vista. Dogs are welcome in the woods and parkland.
- M5 Junction 18 Bristol – Blaise Castle estate is an enormous outdoor space, with a mixture of woodlands, meadows and limestone gorge spread over 650 acres. Signed trails lead from the car park in all directions.
- M6 Junction 5 or 7 Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands – A former deer park with 2,400 acres of open space – including 7 lakes. Dogs are welcome, but there are a few restrictions in certain areas to protect the wildlife at breeding times.
- M60/M62 various junctions Greater Manchester – With 600 acres of parkland, Heaton Park is a massively popular open space for walkers and their dogs. You can get here easily from several M60 junctions and also the M62.
- A46 Lincolnshire – A super park for dogs, with flat walking in 200 acres of woodland and wetland. The area is a combination of both Hartsholme County Park and Swanholme Lakes Local Nature Reserve.
- A12 Blaxhall Common, Suffolk – A peaceful nature reserve where you can relax and enjoy the sounds of birdsong and chirruping insects. It’s very handy for a doggie comfort break.
- M25 Junction 8 Reigate Hill, Surrey – Countryside dog walk just yards from junction 8. Excellent stop off when travelling. Access to both carriageways. Adjacent to North Downs Way / Gatton Park. Massive view over the North Downs and Reigate.
Highways England Head of Road Safety Richard Leonard said
We want all our customers, including the four-legged ones, to arrive at their destinations safely this summer and I’d urge drivers to make sure they plan a break into longer trips as well as preparing for any journey, especially in hot weather, by stocking up on water and checking travel conditions before setting off.