Sniff Out These Dog-Friendly Gems in Denmead!

Written By Sarah Franks

Looking for new places to explore with your dog around Denmead? I’ve put together a blog full of my favourite dog-friendly walks and local spots where your pup is more than welcome — whether that’s a peaceful trail, a pub garden, or a café with a water bowl waiting.

Denmead may be small, but it’s packed with great options for dog owners who love getting out and about with their four-legged companions.

If you’re ready to mix up your usual routine, head to the comments for the link!

And if you’ve got a go-to dog-friendly place in or near Denmead, I’d love to hear about it — I’m always on the lookout for new adventures!

I should be waxing lyrical about the glorious spring weather, but let’s face it — it’s been changeable at best. But do you know who doesn’t care about a bit of drizzle? Your woofer! So come rain or shine, why not treat them to a fun day out?

In this blog, I’ll be exploring delightful Denmead. Very close to where I live in Waterlooville, this small village packs a punch with more things to do with your dog than you can shake a stick at. Let’s have a look at some of my top spots.

Did someone say walkies?

I’m not going to pretend that this rural village isn’t surrounded by stunning Hampshire countryside. No matter which way you turn out of the village, you’ll find miles of delightful walks. 

There are a couple of places near the village that I really enjoy — each for different reasons — and I’d love to share them with you.

My first recommendation is just to the south side of the village, and is Creech Wood. This is the perfect place for walkers (be it on two legs or four) of all abilities, and is one of those fantastic places that you can have a 20-minute amble or a two-hour adventure. 

The trees offer some much-needed shade in the warmer months, and there’s a good mix of decent paths or off-the-beaten-path options depending on your jam. 

This is a particularly good place to walk if you have kids, as the woods offer endless opportunities for different games. One minute you can pretend to be an intrepid explorer trekking through a rainforest of wild animals, and the next you can be playing hide and seek amongst the foliage and fallen logs. 

Chris Gunns / Creech Woods

The second spot I want to suggest is for people who prefer to have their own space for their dogs. Rhobull’s Dog Park is just to the west of the village, and if you or your dog like a bit of alone time in the big outdoors, it's ideal. 

Equipped with agility jumps, weave poles, a tunnel, and some paddling pools, it’s a great way for your dog to explore and play on their own terms. There’s also a summer house and a seating area for us two-legs to put our feet up and enjoy watching the fur kids have a blast. 

It’s available to book in one-hour time slots, and can accommodate up to 10 dogs per session. So why not organise a doggy play date for your pooch and their pals?

Rhobull’s Dog Park / Facebook 

Looking for a sit-down and a bite to eat?

Whether it's raining or the sun is shining, you’ll most likely need a restorative cuppa. There are so many places to choose from in Denmead, but I’ve picked a couple of my favourites for you.

The Bakehouse at Denmead is exactly what you would want from a village bakery. Their filled rolls and paninis are fantastic if you want to take something to eat along your walk, or their breakfasts are to die for. They also have a mouthwatering selection of cakes and pasties that are perfect with a tea or coffee. 

A full English followed by a cake for dessert? The things that dreams are made of! 

Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome in their outdoor garden area, but bear in mind that you’ll need to go through the main bakery to reach it. So make sure you wipe off those muddy paws first!

The Bakehouse at Denmead / Facebook

If you’re in the mood for something heartier, The Fox and Hounds has consistently good food and a wonderful garden area for those warmer days. Dogs are welcome in the bar area, where you can order a round of drinks (or two) and grab a bite to eat. 

The food menu for the garden and bar is slightly different to that of the main restaurant, but equally as appealing. Expect meals like a ploughman's platter, salads, burgers and paninis. Sitting out here on a warm summer's day is such a lovely way to while away some time in the company of friends — both two-legged and four.  

Fox & Hounds public house, near Denmead, by Chris Henley 

Denmead’s dog-friendly places to visit

Following on from Rory McIlroy’s incredible success at The Masters, you may be inspired to either take up or get back into golf. Who knew that dogs and golf mixed — but they do! Furzeley Golf Course lies just outside Denmead, and dogs on leads are welcome to join their golfing paw-rents on the course.

It’s a stunning course and is beautifully maintained, and if you don’t want the commitment of a membership, they have a “pay and play” option for as little as £20. They also have a junior option, so if the smaller people in your life have caught the golfing bug, the whole family can join in the fun. 

Just keep an eye out in case your pooch decides to have an impromptu game of “fetch” with another golfer’s ball!

Furzeley Golf Course by Shazz 

This is a bit of a random one, but hear me out. 

There’s a really cute pottery studio called Paint-a-Pot Party that organises pottery painting events in their cute little cabin a little way outside the village. They cater mainly for kids, but they also run “ladies nights”, which — speaking as someone who as a child was obsessed with the Blue Peter craft makes — sounds like quite a laugh.

For anyone who is quite sentimental about their dogs (like, who isn’t?), they’re now offering pet owners the option to have their pet’s paws immortalised in pottery as a keepsake. Starting from £15, it takes just a few seconds to make something you can treasure for a lifetime. ❤️🐾

Paint-a-Pot Party / Facebook

Sarah Franks
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