Crystal Palace Park and Sydenham Hill Wood Walk

Yes, this south London circular earns a solid 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The route combines the open spaces of Crystal Palace Park with the ancient woodland of Sydenham Hill Wood, giving dogs a good mix of terrain and interesting sniffs. Facilities including cafes and public toilets are available in the park, which makes planning your visit straightforward.

Dogs can enjoy off-lead time in the park's quieter open fields and throughout Sydenham Hill Wood, provided they have reliable recall. You'll want to keep them on lead near the famous dinosaur sculptures, sports facilities, and event lawns, as well as on the narrower woodland paths where wildlife protection matters. It's a route that rewards dogs with good recall, but has sensible on-lead zones built in.

This is one of the hillier walks in inner London, with a sustained climb up Sydenham Hill and surfaces ranging from formal park paths to muddy woodland tracks, so boots are a good idea after wet weather. There are no facilities once you enter Sydenham Hill Wood itself, so make use of the cafes and toilets in Crystal Palace Park before heading into the trees. You can park at the pay and display car parks on Thicket Road or Anerley Hill for the park, or use free street parking on Crescent Wood Road if you're starting from the wood entrance.