There are an infinite criteria to “what makes a good dog walk” from walking for miles without seeing another soul, enjoying the seasons of the countryside, to getting yourself fitter or being able to walk with a few friends and socialise. For the vast majority of us, and in order to help anyone new to the area (or new to having a dog!), here are Purple Kaboodle’s “Best 3 places to walk a dog where there is 4G!” so that you can multi-task to the max!
Danebury Hill Fort
Danebury Iron Age Hill Fort is 2,500 years old. It is a nationally important scheduled ancient monument and also a site of special scientific interest, but most of all it an easy and accessible place to walk a sociable dog! The site is open all day, every day, has free entry with ample free parking (two car parks – one at the entrance and one further up if you are less inclined to walk the hill), and toilets that are open from April to October. Walks can vary from a speedy 10-20 minutes to a more leisurely 40 minutes depending on how much time you have. Enjoy the spectacular views (and if you are killing time you can sit in the car park and get on with any email admin that needs doing!). Stockbridge is 3 minutes drive away to pick up a coffee beforehand or afterwards.
Appleshaw Woods
For a really easy 20 minute circuit (go round twice for a longer walk), try the woodland at the back of Appleshaw: the entrance is just past The Magic Tower Nursery in Clanville. Having passed the nursery on your right, go past the large estate and gate house on your left and about 50m further on is a dirt track on the left. Go to the top of the track where there is parking for approximately two cars. The woodlands are peaceful and quiet and the path ample to walk side by side with a friend or take a buggy. It’s quite a good walk in the rain too as the tree canopy keeps you mostly dry!
Stockbridge Water Meadows
With intermittent 3G/4G, this is my favourite go-to dog walk all year round as it is easily coupled with anything that needs doing or visiting in Stockbridge as well as picking up a hot coffee en route. Entrance is either down a path that runs between The Garden Inn and the Tea Rooms, or for those needing buggy access, from a small car park that runs off the end of Stockbridge High Street. With seasonal visiting cows and horses (both very friendly!), this is a lovely 40 minute circuit that can easily be halved if time is short.
If you have a suggested dog walk that you want to share, please come either get in touch with Holly or Sam, or add it directly to our Purple Kaboodle Facebook Network: PurpleKaboodleTestValleyNetwork.
