Where to walk your dog in London
London offers some of the best dog walking of any big city, from the Royal Parks to Hampstead Heath, as long as you know where leads are required. And so you don’t have to walk alone, Wouf & Go shows the walks other owners organise near you or anywhere in London.
Where to walk your dog in London
The Royal Parks
Dogs are welcome across the Royal Parks, but some areas are dog-free or on-lead only. They are signposted in each park and usually include sensitive wildlife sites, deer parks, children’s play areas, cafés and some sports areas.
Richmond Park and Bushy Park
Both are deer parks. Every year from 1 May to 31 July, the deer birthing season, dogs must be on a lead in all areas. The Royal Parks also advise keeping at least 50 metres from deer and sticking to the edges of the park.
Hampstead Heath
On the Heath, run by the City of London, dogs can be off lead as long as they stay under control and come back when called. Formal landscapes such as Golders Hill Park and sports pitches are on-lead areas, and dogs must stay out of playgrounds, fenced nature areas and ponds other than the designated dog swimming spots.
Rules to know before you go
- Keep your dog under control at all times; a dog whose recall isn’t reliable should stay on a lead.
- Look out for signs: dog-free and on-lead areas differ from one park to the next.
- In Richmond and Bushy Parks, leads are compulsory everywhere from 1 May to 31 July.
- The Royal Parks’ rule of thumb is no more than four dogs per person at any one time; commercial dog walkers need a licence.
- Always pick up after your dog and take the bag with you or bin it.
Before you set a meeting point
Name a precise gate or landmark: “Hyde Park” is not a meeting point. In Richmond or Bushy Park between May and July, plan an on-lead route along the edges, away from the long grass and bracken where fawns may be hidden. For a first meet, keep the walk short and let everyone peel off if they need to.
Find group dog walks in London and near you
Walking together is a great way to socialise your dog and meet other owners in your area. On Wouf & Go, members post their walks on a map with the meeting point, date, length and who can join.
- Open the map: it centres on London or on your location.
- Pick a walk in your area and check the details.
- Ask to join, or post your own walk if none suits you.
If no walk has been posted near you yet, the map shows the parks around you, so you can start the first one. Get the Android app
Frequently asked questions
Can my dog be off the lead in London parks?
In most of the Royal Parks and on Hampstead Heath, yes, as long as it stays under control and comes back when called. Signs mark the dog-free and on-lead areas, and in Richmond and Bushy Parks leads are compulsory from 1 May to 31 July.
How many dogs can one person walk in the Royal Parks?
The Royal Parks’ guidance is no more than four dogs per person at any one time. Professional dog walkers also need a commercial licence.
How can I find other dog owners to walk with in London?
Open the Wouf & Go map: it shows the walks members have posted in London and around you. Join an existing walk or post your own from the app; if there are none in your area yet, the map shows the parks nearby.
Sources
Checked on 11 October 2026 against the official sources below. Check them before you go: access, opening times and rules can change.