Battersea Park Riverside and Lake Circular
London
Battersea Park opened in 1858 on reclaimed marshland once known as Battersea Fields, landscaped by James Pennethorne on the south bank of the Thames opposite Chelsea, and its wide, flat paths give dogs plenty of room to walk beside the boating lake, though the fenced children's zoo and deer enclosure are off limits. The 83 hectare park is now Grade II* listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. This circular walk of around 3.5km follows paths around the boating lake, past the riverside Peace Pagoda erected in 1985, the Old English Garden and its woodland walk, the Pump House Gallery in a converted Victorian water tower, and a stretch of the Thames Path along the park's northern edge. The ground is flat throughout on wide, well-surfaced paths, making it an easy walk for any fitness level.
This is a genuinely dog friendly park, home since 2007 to the Dog Walk of Fame, a set of plaques celebrating well-known London dogs, and there is plenty of open grassland for dogs to run off lead away from the sports pitches and running track. Dogs cannot enter the children's zoo or the deer enclosure, both fenced off, and the boating lake has resident waterfowl, so keep dogs from chasing them along the water's edge. There is no livestock anywhere on the route. The park has cafes and toilets dotted around, including near the lake, and there is a pay and display car park within the park, accessed off Albert Bridge Road.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.5 km (2.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr
- Walk Type
- Park, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Cafes and toilets within the park, including near the boating lake.
- Parking
- Car park within Battersea Park, accessed off Albert Bridge Road, pay and display.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Battersea Park Riverside and Lake Circular dog friendly?
Battersea Park scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it genuinely earns it. The park has been celebrating dogs since 2007 with its Dog Walk of Fame — a set of plaques honouring well-known London dogs — and the wide, flat paths give you and your dog plenty of comfortable space to roam around the boating lake, riverside, and beyond.
Can dogs be off lead at Battersea Park Riverside and Lake Circular?
Yes, there is plenty of open grassland in the park where dogs can run off lead, away from the sports pitches and running track. The park is free of livestock, which makes it a relaxed environment for most dogs.
What should I know before visiting Battersea Park Riverside and Lake Circular with my dog?
Dogs are not permitted inside the children's zoo or the deer enclosure, both of which are fenced off, so those areas are simply off the agenda. The boating lake is home to resident waterfowl, so it's worth keeping a close eye on your dog along the water's edge to prevent any chasing. On the practical side, there are cafes and toilets dotted around the park including near the lake, and a pay and display car park accessed off Albert Bridge Road.
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