Dog Walking in Richmond in the Summer Months
Richmond dogs are super lucky to live in such a cosmopolitan yet green area. It makes it fun for dogs as they enjoy cafe culture and lots of walks. However, during the summer months it can be challenging to find places that dogs can be off lead having fun. So just wanted to share my knowledge of Richmond dog walks in summer with you, so your dogs get to enjoy summer to!
One of my favourite places to walk is Petersham Meadow, however the cows are now in the field until end October, hence no dogs allowed until 1st November. Cows in the field is an act of law and hence this ensures the land can not be sold or developed on, so good news really, and the walks in the field November to March are wonderful!
Living in Richmond, is wonderful as we have Richmond Park, a massive nature reserve with wild deer. This is beautiful, however it does mean May, June and July dogs have to be on lead at all times in the park as its deer birthing season.
Roll on 1st August ….dogs off lead and have freedom again!
Even with dogs on leads the park is fabulous and the cafe outside Pembroke Lodge is dog friendly.
Its also tick season, these little creatures are mostly found in Richmond Park, however this year i have found a couple on different dogs just from walks in the long grass. Ideally your dog is on anti-tick tablets from the vet 
or a different holistic option so if the tick does attach itself to the skin of the dog, the taste of the blood repels it and it drops off. The 2 ticks i have found this year on both dogs which were on anti tick tablets, the ticks were very small and weren’t filled up with the blood, which is usually what happens. As soon as you find a tick on a dog you need to remove it asap. Some people take their dog to the vets, personally i have a tick remover which is super easy, you push it into the tick under the body, then twist it and it removes the tick, make sure you have all the black legs though… if not use a tweezer. Then dispose of it down the toilet! I then usually use salt water to sterile the area and the twister and tweezers.
So where is good to walk during these months in Richmond… well… here are my favourite walks:
- Old Deer Park, has large expansive fields, and added benefit of an enclosed dog area for those young dogs that are still learning recall but want to run wild and play ball! Situated behind Pools in the Park next to the tennis courts.
- River Thames Towpath, the walk from Richmond Lock to Teddington Lock is wonderful, especially during the week when it is quieter. If your dog is water crazy, just beaware this river is the tidal thames, so when the tide is coming in or out, or its full tide the current in the water can be very strong, especially if we have had lots of rain. When the tide is low though, the dogs love it, however please always manage your dog wisely near water, and be aware of other river users. River Lane is a good place to let dogs paddle in the water.
- Terrace Gardens, is at the top of Richmond Hill, and is a beautiful place to walk your dog, however dogs must be on leads all year, as the place is a location of floral beauty and history. There is a dog warden around who issues fines if dogs go off leads.
- Sheen Woods, is nice in summer, as dogs can be free off leads all year round, and in summer months due to the natural tree cover the place is cool for dogs. Sheen Woods is east side of Richmond and accessible from the cemetary, as well as from Richmond Park.
- Richmond Green, is super easy and great for dogs early and evening walks, during the summer, it can be very busy with picnics though and cricket at the weekend! However for an early morning mid week game of ball the dogs love it!
- Ham Lands, is great walk for bigger dog and those that really do with a big walk as lots places to walk in nature with dogs off lead. It circumnavigates round Ham Polo Club and Ham House.
- Richmond Ferry, also takes dogs on the ferry for free! For humans its £2. I love this walk from Richmond Bridge, along the river towpath to Ham House, catch Hammertons Ferry over to Marble Hill, then walk back to Richmond Bridge along the Marble Hill side of the river. Lots of places for dogs off leads and fun in the river!
Happy walking!
Love Jo xx
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