10 March 2020
Dog walking
Where can I walk my dog in the New Forest?
The New Forest is a wonderful place to walk your dog. It’s also one of the most important areas for nature conservation in Europe, so it’s important to enjoy it responsibly.
Always follow the New Forest code when enjoying the National Park with your four-legged companion.
Remember to keep to the main tracks to help wildlife and obey warning signs around rare ground nesting bird breeding sites (March-August).
You can find plenty of walking routes across the National Park, taking in the heathlands, woodlands, rivers and coast, on our walking page.
How can I walk my dog responsibly in the New Forest?
Many people enjoy the New Forest for all types of outdoor recreation including dog walking. It is vitally important that everyone adopts best practice to ensure that activities do not damage the special qualities of the Forest or interfere with the working practices that help maintain this protected landscape.
Please follow this code of practice for dog walking throughout the New Forest – as supported by all the organisations on the New Forest Dogs Forum. If you employ a dog walker to exercise your dog, ensure they also follow the Professional Dog Walkers’ Charter.
The New Forest Dog Walking Code:
- Always keep all dogs under effective control; if you cannot reliably recall your dog or keep it close by, please keep it on a lead.
- Prevent dogs from approaching or jumping up at others. Give extra consideration around horse-riders, cyclists, picnickers and children.
- If an approaching dog is on a lead, put yours on a lead too.
- Always pick up after your dog; put bagged dog poo in a dog waste or litter bin, or take it home.
- Keep your distance from grazing animals, especially mothers and their young. Release your dog if threatened or chased by cattle, ponies or other animals to get to safety separately.
- Do not allow your dog to chase or attack livestock, deer or any other wildlife.
- Protect wildlife by keeping your dog to the main tracks, especially through heathland when birds are nesting on the ground (March–August).
- Avoid disturbing coastal birds by exercising dogs away from them.
- Keep dogs on leads in car parks and alongside roads.
- Remember it’s a working forest; always obey warning and safety signage.
- Do not park in gateways or on verges; it can prevent access for farm and forest vehicles and the emergency services.
If you follow the New Forest Dog Walking Code, please display one of our dog window stickers available at information points, visitor centres, vets etc. or you can order one by emailing us at enquiries@newforestnpa.gov.uk.
'By taking care to keep to the main tracks and keeping dogs close and under effective control, walkers help care for the Forest's livestock and rare ground nesting birds, and protect their dogs from potential hazards like adders and ticks.'
People and Wildlife Ranger, Jim Day
The New Forest Professional Dog Walkers' Charter
Dog walking businesses have a duty to operate responsibly. They also have an excellent opportunity to set a positive example to other dog walkers. However, there are currently no specific national regulations for commercial dog walking, except where it is done as part of a daycare or home boarding service.
The New Forest Professional Dog Walking Charter (PDWC) promotes best practice for dog walking businesses operating throughout the National Park. Businesses signing up to the PDWC are committing to follow the guidance available, alongside local codes of practice. In doing so, they will operate and conduct themselves in a professional manner; consider the welfare and behaviour of the dogs in their care; and minimise their impact on the wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park.
It is supported by the New Forest National Park Authority, New Forest District Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Constabulary, Natural England, Forestry England, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, National Trust, Bird Aware Solent and New Forest Dog Owners Group.
If you walk dogs in Dorset, please follow the Dorset Dogs Professional Dog Walkers Charter.
If your dog walking business would like to sign up, please read the Professional Dog Walkers’ Charter in the documents tab at the bottom of this page and fill in the sign-up form linked here. If you have any questions, please email pdwc@newforestnpa.gov.uk. Feedback on the operation of the scheme is also welcome at the same email address.
How we encourage responsible dog walking
Find out more about how the NPA and partners encourage responsible dog walking in the New Forest.
Our work
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