We really are spoiled for choice in Hampshire, aren’t we? So many pretty towns and villages, scenic rolling hills, and historic waterfronts and harbours to boot! We’re also lucky that so many of these places are dog-friendly so our pooches can also join us on our family days out.

Petersfield is no exception to this, and this lovely county town has lots to offer visitors - of both the two and four-legged varieties!

Where to grab a bite to eat

Petersfield isn’t short of places to eat with your dog, but these are a couple of my recommendations on where you can get a quick snack or push the boat out a bit more.

One of my favourite places to grab a quick bite is The Natural Food Deli. Perched on the corner of Health Road and Dragon Street, they brew a superb cup of coffee and always have a wide range of fresh food available. Catering for the breakfast trade all the way through to afternoon tea and cakes, there are plenty of nutritionally balanced meals on offer as well as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

*The Natural Food Deli - by Martyn Pattison*

They try to source as many ingredients as possible from the local area and offer both eat-in and takeaway food. So if the weather is half decent, get your sarnie to go and make a picnic of it!

If you’re looking for something more substantial, Ruby & Monty’s is a fantastic option. You and your furry bestie can eat in the elegant surroundings of the restaurant, or you can opt to enjoy the alfresco charm of the covered courtyard at the back of the property. There’s a mouth-watering range of brunch items available, as well as sandwiches and burgers. But in the evening they switch it up to an amazing Italian menu of pizza, pasta and mains.

So after all this delicious food, you will most likely need a good walk, so it’s just as well I’ve got that covered too!

Dog friendly places to visit

For anyone with a love of history, venture a little south of Petersfield you’ll find a gem of an open-air museum that’s sure to be a hit with all the family. Butser Ancient Farm is an immersive experimental archaeology museum research centre, that lets you and your family learn about the past by recreating it.

Their buildings include a Roman villa, Celtic village, Stone Age farm, and Saxon halls — all of which have been reconstructed from real archaeological finds from the UK. All the buildings on the site can be explored by those on four legs as well as two, as the museum welcomes dogs.

If you find yourself in Petersfield town centre in need of pet supplies, you must pay a visit to Animal Crackers. Located on Dragon Street, this shop is a haven for those who feed their pooches natural dog food from UK-based suppliers. Animal Crackers pride themselves on not holding too much stock, so you can be sure the food you buy your dog is as fresh as can be and hasn’t been sitting on the shop shelf for months on end.

They also have a fantastic range of toys, treats, and accessories, and they love to have well-behaved canine visitors to their shop. They also have a great online shop and offer both home delivery and a click-and-collect service, but if you’re in town you must check them out!

*Animal Crackers on Dragon St, Animal Crackers Facebook page*

Walks around Petersfield to enjoy with your pup

Just as with places to eat, there are more walks around Petersfield than you can shake a stick at! So I’ve pulled a couple of my favourites which include a lazy stroll and a more energetic ramble.

For those looking for a gentle stroll, Petersfield Lake and Heath fit the bill perfectly. Located just a short way from the centre of the town, the lake has a fully paved pathway all the way around making it ideal if you have a wheelchair or pushchair. It’s just under a mile in length around the lake, and there’s a play area along the way to let the little ones run off some steam!

If you want to take in the Heath area as well as the pond, it comprises around 69 acres of open space with trees and hedges with intersecting and intertwining paths weaving a web across it. If you need to stop for a drink, The Plump Duck kiosk can be found on a pathway on the edge of the lake. There’s also lots of open space around the kiosk where you can perch with your drinks and ice creams.

There are also boats to hire in the summer if you fancy it!

*Rowing Boats on Petersfield Lake by Martyn Pattison*

If you want a longer ramble after your brunch, just outside Petersfield itself is the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Just one of many walks around the park, there’s a fantastic circular walk that’s just under 4 miles in length to give you a great opportunity to stretch your legs with the bonus of car parking close at hand.

The walking route has a good mix of gentle climbs and descents all the while hugging the edge of War Down. While you’re parked up you should also take advantage of the other walking trails around the park, some of which include part of the famous South Downs Way.