Where to take a dog for a swim?!

[SebsC]

Bit random, but my dog loves swimming and I wondered whether there was anywhere relatively close by where he could have a swim? Lots of ponds in parks that I know of but nowhere where dogs are allowed. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks!

[Strawbs]

It's not close by but there is a dog beach at broad stairs

[SebsC]

Thanks strawbs. That would be good for a weekend/day trip but was hoping to find somewhere slightly closer to home. Obviously that rules out the coast so was maybe thinking of a lake, river etc?

[bonniebird]

Keston ponds?

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Burgess Park lake, but it's quite a steep bank - you have to hoik the dog out afterwards. Had a great experience there with a Labrador who naturally jumped in, followed by a competitive but water-phobic Doberman!

[Robert Poste's Child]

I've seen dogs swimming in the river in Belair Park.

[SearchDog]

Its not great for dog swimming locally! So I take my dog to Danson Park (Bexleyheath) where there is an amazing lake for swimming (and a pub for drying out after before getting back in the car). We go to the dog swimming pond at Richmond park (make sure you get the right pond as dogs aren't allowed in the others) and wimbledon common (take the train there and walk up through the village)there are two lakes and only one is good for dog swimming but I can't remember the name of it- the other pond is full of yuk and you wouldn't want Fido in there. Foots cray meadows has a river where dogs can get a paddle in a few spots but watch out for the nature reserve area as dogs aren't allowed in the water at that particular spot. Lastly a fellow dog walker has mentioned that Morden Hall Park has water and its good for a paddle on a hot day- I haven't tried this yet.

Enjoy!!

[womanofdulwich]

I often see dogs in Crystal Palace Park lake early Saturday mornings.

[SebsC]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I might try to take them to all of them and then chose the best! Someone also told me about South Norwood Country Park so I will try there too! Cheers.

[nununoolio]

Can you please keep your dog(s) out of any lakes in Southwark. The two mentioned (Burgess and Belair) are a habitat for wildfowl. The park wardens will take a dim view of you allowing yours dogs to disturb these birds, especially during the mating/nesting season.

[Scrummymummy]

Just resurrecting this post.

Does anyone know anywhere fairly local, not already mentioned, where the wildfowl will remain undisturbed?

Thanks

[Huggers]

Last week Lidl were selling inflatables dog swimming pools

[yorksgirl]

Peckham Rye Park as originally designed had a pond exclusively for dogs. Have seen a Victorian / early Edwardian photo of it. Perhaps it could be revived given how hot the summers are going to get.

[Townleygreen]

Beckenham Place Park? you must have seen the publicity - they have created a wild swimming lake.

[carlafindle]

Townleygreen Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Beckenham Place Park? you must have seen the

> publicity - they have created a wild swimming

> lake.

The swimming lake is currently closed due to safety measures

[sabrina79]

Is not allowed for dogs . The lake is re open today ;) . There is a little streams kn Dulwich park where the tennis courts are . I saw dogs have a dip there ...if not like someone else advised a paddling pool ! So mo wild life disturbed . ;)