A path with a wooden fence either side. Then green shrubbery and bushes and larger trees. You can see the sunshine peeking through the trees.

Be inspired

Looking for inspiration? We’ve put together some ideas so you can take in the best of the borough based on your interests. Whether you are a foodie, a culture vulture or prefer the great outdoors you’ll find a guide for you.

Dog friendly Basingstoke and Deane

With Countryside on the doorstep, a dog friendly town centre, places to eat and drink and enclosed training facilities, you are spoilt for choice in Basingstoke and Deane when it comes to finding your happy place for you and your four-legged friends.

Walks

We asked our wonderful followers for their favourite local dog walks, see the top recommendations below;

Silchester Roman Town Walk

A real Roman tour, the Silchester Walk is flat walk is suitable for all the family and dogs (on leads), with no stiles. Take a ‘paw’ back in history, following the complete circuit of the Roman walls and earth works of Calleva Atrebatum, visiting the remain of the amphitheatre and calling in to see the 12th century Church of St. Mary’s.

The Spinney, Rooksdown

The woodland avenue of mature beech, sycamore and lime trees lines the former Park Prewitt hospital estate. This lovely woodland avenue has a central path which provides opportunity for pleasant circular and short walks and wildlife spotting. It’s a great chance to give the kids a run around too as close by is Rooksdown Park, a play area and skate park.

The National Trust’s Sandham Memorial Chapel

This gentle walk starts and ends at the National Trust’s Sandham Memorial Chapel and takes in some of the places that Stanley Spencer lived, loved and was inspired by during the years he lived in Burghclere. This dog friendly walk should take about 1.5 hours to complete the 2.5 miles. A shorter walk is available for those with pushchairs or those wanting to avoid the uneven terrain.

War Memorial Park to Crabtree Plantation

Take in the spacious green areas, woodland and wide-open spaces during this self-guided walk which takes you around the War Memorial Park, Black Dam Ponds and Crabtree Plantation. The walk from the park to Black Dam Ponds is level for most of the route, with some gentle slopes and you’ll find seats at various points along the way. There is also free parking and a play area at Black Dam Ponds for families to enjoy.

A chocolate roan dog sits facing the camera. He is sat in the shade on green grass, in the backdrop the sun shines on green grass and trees.

Beacon Hill

Climb up the steep hill to this impressive iron age hillfort and the site of one of the beacons that formed a network across Hampshire. A shorter walk that is a bit of a thigh burner but completely worth it when you reach the top and see the fantastic views over the North Wessex Downs, you’ll even get a birds eye view of Highclere Castle (the real-life Downtown abbey). Dogs must be kept on leads all year around and stick to path areas from March to September due to ground nesting birds.

Basing House

At Basing House, unearth amazing historical stories from the nationally important ruins and grounds of the largest private house in Tudor England, which suffered at the hands of Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War. Just a short walk along the river Loddon, the 14-acre site is both dog and picnic friendly, with plenty of space to spread out and stretch your legs as you take in the impressive scenery. Basing House has seasonal opening so please check before you travel but admission tickets cover you for a whole year, making Basing House the perfect regular location for you and your pup!

To get the most out of your countryside walks its best to follow the Countryside Code.

A green space with walls and a building. In the middle you can see a planted garden carefully curated with shrubs and flowers.

The Walled Garden at Basing House, courtesy of Hampshire Cultural Trust

Enclosed facilities

We’ve found local enclosed spaces for your dogs to play, practise training or just let them enjoy the freedom of being off lead in a secure environment.

The Paw Paddock located in Mapledurwell provides three acres of grassland for your dog to run freely. There are jumps, an a-frame and podium to practise agility and you will have access to dog-poo bags, waste bins and a water source located in the parking area.

Based just within the border of Basingstoke and Deane on the A339 is The Darling Dogs of May. It offers a secure training activity paddock, a parkour arena (or barkour if you will) and even parties for pooches! Book the paddock for use of a variety of equipment including weave poles, tunnels, A frame and dog walkways. The parkour arena is also bookable online.

In Whitchurch, Barkers Paddock provides an exclusive, enclosed and secure dog walking facility. The four acre enclosed field is bookable online for a 25 minute or 55 minute session with a maximum of four dogs in these sessions.

Cherished Farm Shop, at Laverstoke Park Farm also has an enclosed dog field. To use the facilities, firstly check it's Facebook page for opening times and pop into the farm shop on arrival to sign in and make payment.

Places to eat and drink

Festival Place is a dog friendly shopping centre. Well behaved dogs are welcomed into over 70 stores. Retailers taking part display a sticker in the window. Take your dog and enjoy a bite to eat in the outdoor areas of Wagamama, Las Iguanas, Cote Brasserie and Cosy Club. See Festival Places page for full petiquette rules and guidance before bringing your furry friend with you.

The Orchard community café, located in War Memorial Park welcomes dogs. They are on hand with treats and water and there’s coffee, cake and food for the owners too.

Willows Coffee House on Cross Street is dog friendly. Expect a warm welcome with bowls of water outside, free treats just inside the door and dogs are well catered for on its menu.

Brown bone shaped dog biscuits in a grey tub are pictured in a coffee house.

Close to Beggarwood Park, is the Holly Blue, a dog-friendly pub. Whether you’re at the pub for a Sunday roast, a special birthday or simply dropping by for a quick lunch, the menus are filled with tasty classic pub food.

The Swan is a 17th century, thatched pub situated in the lovely village of Sherborne St John. A cosy dog-friendly pub, there is a specific dog area in the restaurant, so it does have limited tables, book in advance. Offering seasonal menus from weekend brunch, to weekday light lunch dishes, hearty Sunday roasts to three course dining.

In Kingsclere, the Star Inn offers a warm welcome to four legged friends to the bar area of the pub, with water and treats available to ensure they’re as comfortable as you during your visit. For owners, the menu is full of hearty favourites and country pub classics.

Looking for a light bite in Whitchurch? Head to dog-friendly café Kudos Coffee who offer speciality coffee, quality teas and a selection of other beverages and food with vegan options. For something more substantial, Good Food award and Muddy Stilletto award winning Inn, The Watership Down welcomes dogs. It’s menu (for us humans!) uses the freshest and best quality ingredients, locally sourced where possible complemented with quality local beer and expertly selected wine.