The Best Places to Walk Your Dog in Bedford

Jan 28

As a dog walker who loves to share her day’s work on instagram, one of the questions I frequently get asked is “Where do you walk? It looks so beautiful there!”

The fact is that Bedford is full to the brim with brilliant places to walk your dog. Some of them are quite obvious, and some are a little more hidden. I’ve compiled a few of my favourites to share with you!

The Embankment, Bedford

I know it’s a little busy, but it is undeniably pretty. My favourite route is over one of the bridges, with an all-important stop at the dog-friendly Longholme Café for a coffee (and a house bun, you simply must), then along the back part of the river down to Priory Country Park. I would highly recommend keeping your dog on lead by the river, there’s a lot to see including beautiful swans, so it’s a great time to get some environmental training and loose lead walking practice in.

Scenes rating: 10 - Off lead rating: 0 - Busy/Quiet? Busy

Marston Thrift, Cranfield

It’s a drive from Bedford that’s well worth it, with scenic paths, incredible views, streams, woods and water, there is just so much to explore here. There’s plenty of space for your dog to run off lead but be aware that horses occasionally frequent the pathways.

Scenes rating: 10 - Off lead rating: 8 - Busy/Quiet? Medium

Park Wood Nature Reserve, Brickhill

Featuring both open fields and woods, this is a spot you could easily get lost in. There’s lots of space for off lead fun, as well as going on adventures through the woods with your dog. There are some stunning views, but this reserve changes hugely with the seasons so is worth revisiting throughout the year simply to see how it looks!

Scenes rating: 9 - Off lead rating: 10 - Busy/Quiet? Quiet

Great Denham Country Park, Great Denham

Between Kempston Mill and Great Denham there is a large country park that is perfect for walking your dog. Off from the main open expanse of pathways and balancing lakes there are fields full of wildlife to walk through, with scenic river views. Look out for a heron that frequents one of the fields!

Scenes rating: 5 - Off lead rating: 7 - Busy/Quiet? Busy

Shocott Spring, Cardington

At the back of Shortstown there is a hidden gem called Shocott Spring. The name is a cross between Shortstown and Cotton End and is a gorgeous stop gap between the two. Lots of pathways guide you through the site, where you’ll find the occasional picnic bench or wooden sculpture. There’s lots of space for off lead running, but please be conscientious about going around corners if your dog doesn’t have perfect recall – you might bump into a horse, runner or cyclist!

Scenes rating: 8 - Off lead rating: 8 - Busy/Quiet? Quiet

Please respect our brilliant Bedfordshire parks and countryside by always picking up and correctly disposing of your dog’s poo. Please also respect others when walking your dog by ensuring that you put your dog on lead when you see another dog on lead, horses, wildlife, livestock or signs indicating that dogs should not be off lead.