Dog Walking in Gosport

Beaches, parks, and routes for dogs and their owners

Gosport is a good borough for dog owners, with a variety of beaches, parks, and waterfront walks offering plenty of space for dogs to exercise.

Stokes Bay beach is the most popular dog walking destination. Dogs are welcome on the beach year-round outside the restricted summer zone. During the bathing season (typically May to September), a section of the beach near the main car park area is designated dog-free, but the rest of the bay remains open. The wide recreation ground behind the beach provides additional off-lead space where dogs can run freely. The combination of beach and grass makes Stokes Bay one of the best dog walking spots on the south coast of Hampshire.

Walpole Park and Anglesey Lake offer a convenient walk for dogs and owners, with a circuit around the lake and paths through the park. Dogs should be kept on leads in the formal garden areas, but the open grass sections are generally treated as off-lead space. The harbourside Millennium Promenade, extending from the park towards the town centre, provides a flat paved route suitable for dogs of all sizes and ages.

Alver Valley Country Park is the best option for longer dog walks. The park's grassland, woodland, and wetland provide varied terrain and interesting smells for dogs. Some areas have ground-nesting birds during spring and early summer, and dogs should be kept under control or on leads in those sections. The paths can be muddy in winter.

The former railway path between Gosport and Fareham provides a traffic-free route that many dog walkers use. The path is shared with cyclists, so keeping dogs under control is important.

The harbour-edge walks around Hardway and through the Millennium Promenade area are pleasant for shorter outings, with views across the water.

Dog waste bins are provided in the main parks and along popular walking routes. Gosport Borough Council enforces dog fouling rules, and the expectation is that owners clean up after their dogs.

Several pubs in the borough welcome dogs, including the Jolly Roger in Hardway and the Anglesey Arms in Alverstoke. The seafront cafes at Stokes Bay generally accept dogs in outdoor seating areas.

Veterinary practices serve the borough, with surgeries in the town centre and Alverstoke area.