Bramhall Park

I’ll admit — I’m a little biased with this one. I grew up in Bramhall, and while I now feel incredibly lucky to have had this on my doorstep, I don’t think I ever truly appreciated it until I discovered photography — and its way of completely re-calibrating how you see beauty.

A park that accentuates every season, Bramhall Park hosts a huge variety of stimulating areas including a large woodland, landscaped botanical/rockery gardens, streams, ponds, bridges, a mini sandy beach waterfall & the stunning Tudor hall with arched doorways. (Bonus points for the lovely café, toilets and paths to stick to in muddy season!)

You really can't go wrong here

- On road free parking & designated car parks.

TIP: You can even extend your walk starting from Happy Valley and heading through the bluebell woods or up to the March Hare Pub in Cheadle (although you may encounter some free-roaming horses along the field path if you do!)

Bonus points : Most of the park is wheelchair accessible and well paved. Keeping muddy boots to a minimum!

Things to be mindful of : Can be very busy at peak, park run Saturday mornings, ducks/geese, children's playground, lots of water for bog divers, cafe is only dog friendly on the lawn/covered outdoor area.

I love this location so much, I wrote a blog post on Bramhall Park and chose it specifically to host my MINI and MIDI sessions.

Fletcher Moss

In the leafy suburbs of Didsbury, South Manchester, Fletcher Moss boasts beautiful botanical gardens, in fact the whole park is blooming in the warmer months, with cascading cherry blossoms at the bottom of the cobbled path, leading down from the quirky little cafe van. Head into the woodland areas to find boardwalks winding through the trees, large open meadows and meet at the River Mersey to cool off.

To extend this walk you can continue to/from the river Mersey in either direction, heading up towards Sale, or towards Stockport, where you can also divert 5 minutes away to explore Abney Park in Cheadle, also highly recommended. Alternatively, stop outside the Didsbury pub next to the gardens entrance, with its large outdoor seating area, great in the summer.

Things to be mindful of: Busy with families at peak, bikes & runners, dogs restricted in main gardens but can be carried in, viewed from the top walkway and neighboring Parsonage Gardens is gorgeous. Designated squirrel/bird feeding benches below the cafe path.

Macclesfield Forest

MY ULTIMATE REACTIVE DOG LOCATION CHOICE

A big day out hike if you connect this one with Tegg's Nose country park too!

A huge pine forest and woodland landscape with streams, reservoirs, panoramic views of the countryside, stone ruins and a quaint forest chapel.

During the winter months, it often receives a generous dusting of snow, glistening on the trees in the magical winter sunlight, but be cautious driving the country lanes when icy.

Why do I choose it for safe, stress free walks?

I always park at the free lay-by just up the forked hill from The Leather's Smithy pub because it's quieter, and I often only see the odd mountain biker or dog walker, but the up hill walk from here is along a very visible path, with lots of space to pull to the side and make space. 5 minutes in and there is vast forest on either side of the path, which if you walk into and stay parallel to the path, it's extremely rare that you encounter any other dog walkers. Underfoot it can be rocky, mossy and full of roots and trip hazards, so definitely bring your walking boots and wits, but it's worth it for peace of mind!

Things to be mindful of: Some mountain bikers in the forest and paths, lots of space to avoid them off path.

Blue arrow marked bridleways such as Sadler's Way may encounter horses.

Red deer spotted occasionally but unlikely.

Consider insect repellent in late summer

Delamere Forest

Another great choice for reactive dog walks. This is the largest woodland in Cheshire.

Perfect in spring and summer for keeping cool beneath the trees. Generally flatter and an easier walk than Formby or Macclesfied forest, here you'll find green ferns, open heathland, wildflower meadows and lakeside walks. Known for it's rarer insects such as dragonflies and butterflies, it's wildlife is less distracting to prey-driven doggos.

Great for lettning dogs off lead away from visitor heavy areas.

Large pay and display car park, seasonal ice cream and cafe vans, toilets.

Things to be mindful of: Lots of water near lakeside, blue green algae alerts in summer, Birds nesting, picnic areas. Quiet bridleway. Parking is a little pricey

Alderley Edge

One of my favourite autumn locations. This National Trust land boasts some of the most magical colours, transforming into a golden, crunchy wonderland between late September to November, and even into the winter months.

This walk hosts a huge woodland and scenic countryside views for miles, with a story of mining history along with it. With winding paths down hillsides, mossy stone walls, an abundnce of tree stumps and logs to snuffle around, and not forgetting the dramatic sandstone drop that it was named after.

Your walk can also easily be extend via several waymarked trails & footpaths.

Yay for: A quirky independant cafe (The Wizard) with toilets and dog sausages.

NT designated car park (although free lay-bys can be found nearby for quieter entrances like Macclesfield road)

Things to be mindful of: Bogs/muddy paths after rain and some steep winding paths! SAFETY: Keep your dog safely on lead near the drop.

An abundance of squirrels has easily sent some high prey-drive dogs a little 'over the edge' (pun intended, but really, please be careful near the cliff!)

Sheep & cattle in surrounding fields, but plenty of other space to run free.

Lyme park

Another location best appreciated in Autumn, but also lovely in spring & summer. You may need a good pair of walking boots as there is a good uphill walk into the woodland area.

There are some lovely streams to splash about in during summer months in another direction also.

Lots of room for nervous or sensitive dogs, but it is a popular walking spot, especially at weekends.

TIPS: Free parking on layby entrances - Shrigley Road near Green Close methodist church would be my suggestion.

Thing's to be mindful of: cattle and livestock grazing, dogs must be kept on leads in certain parts. National trust parking fee may apply

Queens Park

A beautiful park situated in Crewe, Cheshire. A large, open green space that's well kept and lots of clean paths to stick to for those mud babies! This park hosts an adorable rockery & gardens, green leafy areas, bridges and a large pond. Beautiful sea of buttercups in late spring and some unusual plants and trees.

Things to be mindful of but avoidable - swans/geese, children at busy times.

Great for wheelchair accessibility, cafe, park for kids, and plenty of places to sit and relax.

Vernon Park

A fabulous hybrid park combining urban style green space with the wooded area further up in Woodbank Park. Loads of benches, structures, steps and rockery to pose on for pup-portraits, lovely flowers and colours in warmer months.

A pet friednly cafe here and a longer walk around Woodbank connecting park. Free parking is a bonus!

Things to be mindful of: VERY steep hill and steps (non- avoidable) , busy at peak, running/exercise clubs regularly take place (avoidable)

City Centre

I LOVE an urban shoot. Manchester city centre has so many exciting spots that may be very meaningful to those who live or work in the city. Although it can be busy, if we meet at the right time, the following locations can work brilliantly:

Ancoats, Spinningfields, Castlefield and new Islington are popular dog walking spots and full of vibrant, dog friendly restaurants and bars,

Thing's to be mindful of: lots of people, busy roads, ducks (castlefield mostly)

Abney park

A local hall grounds on the edge of Cheadle, Stockpork - especially beautiful in the autumn, but perfect in winter, summer and spring. With a quaint little orchard, beautiful grounds, rivers to splash in, logs to jump over and big chunky roots to pose on, there's plenty of variety.

Couple this walk with Fletcher Moss or a walk along the Mersey for a longer hike.

Daisy Nook country park

Fantastic in summer & autumn, a lovely waterside walk, this park hosts an abundance of variety for gorgeous pup-portraits.

With some unusual structures and steps, long winding pathways and a lovely lake. This can be a popular walking spot but perfect at quieter times.

Be mindful of: ducks, horses

A playground for kids along the route too!

Rivington Pike

A unique location with good length routes and unusual views. The gardens here host dramatic stone terraces, Japanese inspired ponds and plants, large staircases and stone ruins. The location is on a hillside so be prepared for a good walk if you want to reach the summit.

Best things: I love this location for being so interesting and unique, with many paths to follow and beautiful, off track woodlands to explore.

Things to be mindful of: Livestock in some areas, cobbled paths may be uneven and steep - Not great for on lead dogs who love to pull!

Bonus: Stop off at the delightful Home Farm and grab a cold one at Rivington Brewing company. This quaint little campsite is accessible from the walking routes, however you can also stay the night in your campervan! The adorable outdoor festival-lit square has several independent caterers, creating the most wonderful dog friendly atmosphere.

Formby Beach

Not quite Manchester, but a bonus location for our more reactive dogs.

Most dog friendly beaches offer space to keep distance from others, but I particularly love the unique woodland walk at this Merseyside location as many beaches lack landscape variety, but here you can explore meadows, pine forests, winding grassy sand dunes and of course the coastline itself, lined with driftwood and maintained beautifully.

There's many entrance options but I like to start from Larkhill Lane as it's free to park, and the first field is great for toileting before heading deep into the woodland (nobody wants to carry the poo bag for hours!) The paths into the forest can be a little maze like, but keep going in the same direction and you'll find the coast.

TIP: A summer weekday evening here is the PERFECT outing for reactives. The trees shade the paths, and later hours are much quieter, plus the sun sets on the waters horizon which is just stunning.

Things to be mindful of: Protected birds nesting around the dunes. Rabbits DO run across the meadows often, so keep that prey drive in check. The holes and sets underfoot are and ankle spraining trap so take care.

Red squirrels were once common here but have now moved much further down from the Larkhill area.

Marbury country park, Northwich

Well known for it's photogenic row of lime trees along the main entrance meadow, here you can also discover a gentle walks in the shaded woodlands, flaunting bluebells in the spring and some unusual structures hidden off track, the lake is a moderate walk and relatively flat.

You can extend your walk distance over to the canal or the magnificent Anderton Boat Lift.

Large pay and display car park, seasonal ice cream and cafe vans, toilets.

Things to be mindful of: Lots of water, blue green algae alerts in summer, Birds nesting, picnic areas. Quiet bridleway.

Heaton Park

One of the most varied, HUGE suburban locations that I highly recommend for a family day out with the dog. With woodland paths, rolling meadows picnic areas, landscaped gardens, and cafes and a boating lake that welcome dogs, there's so many opportunities to explore with your furry friend.

Take the woodland paths and open grasslands for a more peaceful wander.

Be mindful of: Wildlife & farm animals (fenced in) can be very busy at peak times along main paths with school holiday fairground rides and large events near the lake entrance.

Great for: Keeping the kids entertained with ice creams and activities, free play. Free roadside and paid car parks. Main paths are well paved and flat for wheelchair access.