How to spend a day with your dog in London

Chef and low-waste advocate Chantelle Nicholson holds court at this eco-conscious eatery that champions sustainability, responsibility, regeneration and hospitality. The menu highlights British produce in dishes such as Isle of Wight aubergine with zhoug and roasted almond butter, or Devon pork belly. The drinks list also adheres to the restaurant's philosophy, featuring low-intervention wines and innovative zero-waste cocktails. Aside from the chef's table experience, the restaurant is fully dog-friendly.

If you and your dog are after a quick, relaxed meal that packs a ton of flavour, try one of the sandwiches from this beloved North London sandwich shop. The sandwich options are wild, including not just the signature ham, egg, and chips, but also things like a lasagne sandwich, or the Asian-inspired veggie option with pickled spring rolls. The snug café is also extremely dog-friendly – the owner even runs a dedicated Instagram profile featuring the shop's four-legged patrons.

A contemporary gastropub that combines traditional pub hospitality with a sleek modern look, The Lighterman is a welcoming establishment for both you and your dog. With its laidback atmosphere providing respite from the hustle and bustle of King's Cross and an abundance of outdoor areas for soaking up the sun, it's a good spot for enjoying refined takes on classic British pub grub, accompanied by a pint or one of the cocktails.

A retro cocktail bar next to Green Park, Smith & Whistle makes for the perfect pitstop for dogs and their walkers. The bar at the Sheraton Grand London hotel serves drinks to both people and pooches in a 1920s setting. While you sip one of the intriguing house concoctions and nibble on some bar snacks, your companion can enjoy one of the drinks off the Dogtail Menu, prepared in collaboration with a canine nutritionist. An outdoor terrace is available as well.

A luxury five-star establishment in Knightsbridge, The Egerton House Hotel is a Georgian townhouse that's known for its lavishly appointed accommodation, grand rooms, and selection of afternoon teas. The latter even includes a dog-friendly version, so your paw pal won't be left feeling out while you indulge. Thanks to the hotel's convenient location and good transport links, it's not that difficult to get there, either.

Global fast-food chain Shake Shack specializes in burgers, fries, and milkshakes, and is famous for its cooked-to-order, juicy burgers, particularly the classic ShackBurger with lettuce, tomato, ShackSauce, and American cheese. A lesser-known fact about the chain is that its locations are dog-friendly – moreover, they even have a dedicated Woof Menu with treats for your furry companion.

Depending on how generous a food sharer you are, a visit to Gaucho might range anywhere from tantalising torture to heaven for your dog, what with all the prime cuts being devoured all around. All of the Gaucho steakhouses are dog-friendly until the early evening, but dog walkers will be particularly happy to learn that the first Sunday of each month is designated Doggy Sunday at the Hampstead branch and includes different activities.

Speaking of Hampstead, a nice walk around Hampstead Heath is a London evergreen for people and dogs alike. Just a short trip from the busiest parts of London, this natural oasis covers 800 acres of wild landscape. Throw a ball around the open meadows, stroll through the shady woodland, take a dip in the dog pond, or climb up Parliament Hill for one of the best views of London's skyline around. Afterwards, you and your pooch can rest up in one of the many dog-friendly pubs in the surrounding area.

Stretching over three miles from Finsbury Park to Highgate Wood, Parkland Walk follows a former railway line. The unique nature reserve offers a scenic walking route with street art, abandoned railway platforms and tunnels, and grotesque sculptures along the way. Despite cutting through an urban area, there's little danger of your dog running off, and whichever end you start from, there's a green space waiting on the other end.

The entire Richmond area is pretty dog-friendly, a stroll along the Thames or a stop in one of the area's cafés just a few of the options. The highlight, however, is Richmond Park. It's famed for its wildlife, especially the herds of deer that roam its vast open spaces freely, and offers plenty of space for even the liveliest of dogs to stretch their legs. Do note, however, that during deer rutting (September–November) and birthing (May–July) season, your dog should be kept on a lead.

With over 6,000 acres of stunning ancient woodland stretching from East London to Essex, Epping Forest is a crucial wildlife resource. People come from all over London to immerse themselves in nature, with plenty of paths winding through the towering hornbeams, burly oaks and other flora. It's a great place to let your (well-behaved) dog roam around a bit, and it's simple to get there with public transport, too – just hop on the Overground to Chingford and walk from there.

Between Hackney Marshes and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick isn't short on options for a nice walk, but The Line offers a little extra for art lovers. An outdoor art trail that meanders between The O2 and the Olympic Park, it showcases monumental sculptures by renowned artists like Anish Kapoor and Antony Gormley. The entire thing takes about three hours to walk, but you can take it in sections.

The iconic Alexandra Palace, affectionately known as “Ally Pally”, sits atop a hill in Alexandra Park, surrounded by 196 acres of greenery and open spaces. The family-friendly venue and park offer all sorts of sports and facilities, including a boating lake, skatepark and more, making it a great choice for group picnics or other outings with the family pet. Refreshments are also available at Ally Pally's cafés.

Launched by dog-walker-to-the-stars Barry Karacostas, whose clients include Elle Macpherson and Guy Ritchie, Urban Mutts is an elite doggy day care and hotel. Furnished bespoke handcrafted beds, LED mood lighting, and other luxuries that wouldn't seem out of place at The Ritz, the members' club offers 24/7 room service and staff on call, an onsite spa with massages and other treatments, trainers, grooming, bootcamp classes and a range of other services. If need be, your pooch can even stay here for up to three months.

With a pick-up service that covers most of North London, this branch of the award-winning Bruce's Doggy Day Care centres is ideal for those short on time and transportation options. Placing your pal's happiness at the forefront, Bruce's offers an assortment of professional services, including expert 1-2-1 care, up to eight hours of off-leash fun, enrichment activities, and more. Dog and puppy training is available as well.

Having constructed the first activity centre dedicated to dogs and their humans in the country, City Paws Club caters to West Londoners, picking up pooches from a number of locations in the area. The doggy day care centre is spread across 16 acres and boasts heated stables, paddling pools, a sensory garden, an additional 50 acres of woodland for walkies, and more. Overnight accommodation in partnership with Green Lane Farm is also offered.

Based in East London and picking up/dropping off their wards in select local areas, Hounds of Hackney have won multiple awards for their services. Fun activities, group walks, and good old frolicking make sure your pooch develops the necessary socialisation skills, while expert handlers make sure your four-legged pal is safe and happy throughout. Walk-ins are also accepted, provided there's enough room.

Unlike some major cities, dogs and other pets are welcome to travel on all modes of public transport (including the Uber Boat and Cable Car) for free and without any particular fuss, as long as they're well-behaved. Keep them on a lead (or in a carrier, if necessary) and off the seats, try to avoid peak travel hours, and avoid escalators. Note that the Tube, with its noise and general madness, can be a bit much for many dogs, so best to ease them into it.

Uber, one of the most popular ridesharing services in the world, launched its Uber Pet service in 2022. When ordering your ride, just request the Uber Pet option and a suitable driver will be provided at a surcharge. It's one dog or cat per trip only, and it's advisable you bring a towel or mat to protect the seats as a courtesy to the driver. This doesn't apply to service animals, as they can just ride with any desired option – it's actually illegal to deny a ride to someone with an assistance animal.

CarryMe Bikes is a Hackney-based bike shop that specialises in cargo bikes. These specially built bicycles can have up to four wheels, but their distinguishing feature is the large box up front, which can be used to transport goods, boxes, children and even pets. They're a great choice if you want to avoid busy public transport and get some fresh air and exercise in. If you aren't fully committed to the cargo bike life, you can even just hire them for up to seven nights.

The Hoxton hotels are a group of trendy, comfortable hotels around the capital, offering beautifully designed spaces and luxurious amenities at a comparably affordable price. They're all pet-friendly, letting your four-legged companion stay in your room free of charge. Furry guests are even provided with water bowls, their own bed, tasty treats, toys and a guide to the area highlighting nice walkies and other places of note to dogs.

A luxurious Soho establishment with elegant accommodation, furnished with the finest decor and state-of-the-art technology, Hotel Café Royal boasts a distinctive style that shines through in every room. You can take advantage of a range of facilities while here, including a spa, and the location is perfect for exploring the city. The hotel is also very pet-friendly, with pets of up to 12kg permitted in the rooms, restaurants and bars. They can even knock back some pawsecco while there.

The budget-friendly Inhabit Hotels place a focus on their guests' wellness, with the Paddington branch being London's first mindfulness hotel. Welcoming spaces, aromatherapy-scented rooms, health-conscious food and calming design choices all work towards easing your mind, but how can you truly relax if your pooch isn't with you? Pets of up to 12kg are therefore welcome to stay at the hotels for a surcharge.

Bow Wow London is Covent Garden's first dedicated dog boutique, with a global network of the finest suppliers enabling it to stock an assortment of exclusive dog accessories you'll have a hard time finding anywhere else. You can buy dog beds, leads, harnesses, collars, clothing, bowls, toys and more here, as well as load up on health-conscious, nourishing food, treats and bakery products for your doggo.

With several hundred stores all across the country, Pets at Home is the UK's largest retailer of pet supplies. You can find their pet care centres all over London, stocking more or less anything your pet needs, from nourishing food and treats to toys, care products and other accessories. Additionally, the Pets at Home stores also provide full veterinary care, offer grooming services, host various workshops and more.

Going back more than three decades, Chiswick Pets is an independent pet store that sells reptiles, amphibians, fish and small mammals such as gerbils and guinea pigs. They also stock a wide range of pet accessories, including dog coats, harnesses, cat flaps, toys, treats and calming sprays. The store also offers dog grooming services, and can even take care of your pet, furry or otherwise, while you're away on holiday.

An independent, family-run pet store in Finchley, Dog Moda offers unique designer fashion for dogs. Their stylish leather hound collars are handmade, fully padded and lined, and they also offer reflective collars to help keep your dog safe at night, beautiful leather keyrings, and a variety of upmarket accessories such as grooming brushes and snoods. Their products are even sold at Crufts, one of the greatest dog shows in the world.

Though offering thousands of exclusive products online, PetLondon also runs a showroom in the heart of London, just off of Oxford Street, for those looking for a more personal approach. They've been supplying premium pet products of the highest quality to pet owners around the world for more than 15 years. In addition to stocking luxury global brands, PetLondon also produces its own line of toys, collars, apparel, carriers, beds and other accessories, and supports dog-related charities.

This relaxed Notting Hill pet boutique is overflowing with all sorts of dog accessories, from their collection of luxury handmade collars to entertaining toys, nutritional treats, beds and other accessories for the discerning doggo. Verve London also doubles as a relaxed café, where you can take a break from walkies and recharge with a drink. The friendly store also offers grooming, day care and dog hotel services.

Mungo & Maud is a high-end pet boutique in a high-end part of London. The store stocks all sorts of stylish, design-led accessories that will appeal to pets as well as their owners. Soft blankets, elegant apparel, minimalist bowls, toys, treat jars and more can all be found here, along with a range of pet-related books, beautiful homewares and other items that make for great gifts.

Apart from outdoor sights such as Buckingham Palace or Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge is London's only major attraction that allows dogs. Well-behaved pooches are welcome to visit this iconic London landmark, explore its engine rooms, walkways and famous towers, and learn about its history. They can even step onto the glass walkway between the two towers with you for a pretty unique photo opportunity.

If you and your doggo are fans of a more active lifestyle, why not try canicross - off-road hands-free running with your dog. You'll need a special harness, but apart from that, it's relatively easy to pick up on your own. Companies such as DogFit can provide you with the requisite gear and beginner advice, or put you in touch with professional canicross trainers if you'd prefer to sign up for a class.

Dog agility is a fun, sporty activity for both you and your dog, helping your pooch stay fit both mentally and physically. There are different clubs and courses around London where you can practice dog agility, including free ones in many of the city's parks. Mile End Park, a haven for wildlife with lots of open spaces, is one of them, with a dog agility course located in the southern end.

Many of London's cinemas offer dog-friendly screenings, including several Picturehouse venues. You can bring your dog along to select screenings, usually on Sunday morning, and enjoy the film with your best bud. Water and snacks are provided, along with a fleece blanket to cover the seat or the floor. The volume is lowered to accommodate your dog's sensitive hearing as well.

The only London beach you can reach by Tube, Ruislip Lido is a reservoir lake with an artificial sandy beach that offers fun for the whole family, from sunbathing and boating to play areas. Dogs can enjoy the dedicated dog beach area with waste bins and plenty of shady spots to take the heat off. You can also go for a walk in the surrounding woods, or take your pooch on the narrow-gauge railway that goes around the lake.

GoBoat is a self-drive boating adventure for up to eight people with no experience necessary, and dogs are welcome too. You can enjoy a leisurely cruise along the river or canal, depending on which route you choose, and you're welcome to bring food and drinks for the journey. The eco-friendly electric boats are even fitted with picnic tables, so you can relax in comfort while observing London from a new perspective.

Surrey Docks Farm is a working city farm and charity that teaches about farming, food production and the natural environment in a hands-on, accessible manner. In addition to various classes and sessions, they're also home to all sorts of farm animals, including pigs and sheep. You can walk around the farm with your dog on a lead and meet the residents.

Perhaps your pooch needs to calm down after such a fun day, or maybe they're naturally a little nervous. Take them to Ethereal Warrior in Highgate and your dog can enjoy a sound bath or energy healing to help them feel calmer and more relaxed. Services for humans are provided here as well, and you can relax and get cosy together at special dog-friendly sound baths.