A hub of national popular culture, you are probably more likely to know Liverpool for the Beatles and Liverpool FC than for it’s dog-friendly activities. However, don’t be fooled by it’s cool, urban exterior, Liverpool is actually an amazing day out for a dog and superbly balances city life with natural landscapes and walking paths.
Although it is primarily an industrial city – having grown as a large port during the industrial revolution – Liverpool has a nice selection of dog-friendly attractions that will suit your pup to a tee. If you’re looking for a dog-friendly family day out, look no further than the historic city of Liverpool.
1. Make a trip to the coast
Address & Map: Victoria Rd, Formby, Liverpool L37 1LJ, United Kingdom
If you’re willing to venture a little further north of Liverpool’s city centre, an amazing National Trust location awaits. Freshfield Squirrel Reserve is a dog-friendly beach walk, filled with stunning natural views and sand dunes that your dog will adore.
Located nearby is the stunning woodlands of Formby red squirrel walk, which will be a welcome treat for any dog, but particularly those who have followed you around the city all day. As the name suggests, many people tread the track looking for the infamous red squirrels. These little guys are an endangered species and although they are native to the UK they are very rarely seen. Numbers of red squirrels in the UK have fallen dramatically since grey squirrels came about in the 1870s, so spotting one in the wild is a real treat!
To be honest, if you have a lively dog who likes to make friends with the local wildlife then you might struggle to see one, however if you can keep your four-legged friend calm for parts of the walk you might be able to catch a glimpse.
The official walking route is about 3km long and takes approximately an hour to complete. And because the site is managed by the National Trust they provide self-filling water bowls near the public toilets and parking areas – so your dog will be kept hydrated.
2. Go on a social dog walk
Liverpudlians are known for being some of the most friendly people in the UK, and their warm and welcoming nature extends to dog walking groups too. If you’re in the local area with your dog and fancy meeting some locals, a social dog walk can be an amazing way to see the city and meet like minded people.
Plus, if you have a sociable dog who likes to play, a group dog walk gives them the opportunity to let off some steam and meet fellow four-legged pals. The best bit about these social dog walks, is that they are often done in aid of local animal charities, so you can feel great about your contribution as you get your steps up!
Check out the MeetUp group in Liverpool, that arranges dog-friendly activities that anyone is welcome to attend. With walks in some of the most beautiful locations around the city such as Sefton Park, Walton Hall Park, Formby Beach and Calderstones Park, you’ll get a guided tour of the best dog-friendly locations in Liverpool whilst your dog frolics with other pups. To top it off, in warmer months they do picnics together. How cute is that!
3. Treat them to a grooming salon
Address & Map: Mucky Pups – 560 Aigburth Rd, Cressington, Liverpool L19 3QG, United Kingdom, DogOne – 14 Cleveland Square, Liverpool L1 5BE, United Kingdom
If your pooch loves to be preened and fussed over, then Liverpool isn’t short of grooming salons that are a tourist attraction in their own right. The scousers are known for their super glam looks and commitment to personal grooming, so it makes sense that their dogs get the same treatment. They go all out on pampering their pooches, so when in Liverpool it’s only right your dog should be looking their very best.
If you want something a little bit fancy for your dog, opt for MuckyPups. This parlour was opened by Ricky Tomlinson, the scouse comedian, and you’ll find everything from grooming and nail clipping to other helpful services like microchipping and de-fleaing.
If you’re looking for something more centrally located, you’ll find DogOne inside Liverpool ONE which features everything you’d expect from a premium dog grooming service, plus organic treats and food to sweeten the deal.
If you decide to make dog grooming part of your dog-friendly day out in Liverpool, be sure to schedule an appointment after you’ve explored all of the dog-friendly parks and walks. You don’t want your dog to ruin their freshly groomed coat just a few hours after having it done!
4. Get fancy with Afternoon Tea
https://www.instagram.com/p/BogZyAIgZWR/
Address & Map: 185 College Rd, Liverpool L23 3AT, United Kingdom
If your dog is less interested in letting their hair down and running through the mud, and more interested in being a lady who lunches, this afternoon tea spot will be PERFECT.
Believe it or not, The Crosby Tearooms offer a ‘dog-friendly cream tea’ featuring homemade dog biccies and a dog-friendly breakfast. They even have specially blended tea that dogs can drink to make sure they get the full experience. Whilst it’s a bit tongue in cheek, we love the idea that your dog can be fully involved in your afternoon tea experience.
This amazing little cafe is located just a short train ride away from the city centre next to Crosby Beach – a popular dog-friendly beach in Liverpool. For this reason, this location doubles up as a great place to have a long dog walk along the coast and then stop off to refuel with some tea and scones.
All of the tea is loose leaf and the cakes are mostly homemade or locally sourced, so this place really does feel like a home away from home. Get fancy with your pup and indulge in a dog-friendly afternoon tea in Liverpool!
5. Hit the shops
Address & Map: 5 Wall St, Liverpool L1 8JQ, United Kingdom
You may have not considered bringing your dog along for a Saturday shopping session, but luckily Liverpool is a great place for some dog- friendly retail-therapy!
With an array of dog-friendly markets like Ten Streets and Baltic, plus the general city centre streets that feature many dog-friendly shops, you can pretty much walk around the city centre and shop as you please. You’ll find high street favourites like The White Company, Office, Apple and many, many more will allow your pooch to accompany you. Our favourite place to take your dog shopping in Liverpool is Liverpool ONE – a huge shopping, residential and leisure complex in the heart of the city which is home to some of the best shops in the UK.
Although not all of the shops are dog-friendly, you’ll find that most of them do welcome our four-legged friends (Fat Face, Fred Perry, Pandora and Levis to name a few). Plus there’s a water station for dogs to stay hydrated and the shopping centre overall is very accommodating for our furry friends (just try to resist the urge to stop every 5 minutes to give your dog belly rubs!).
6. Visit the gardens
Source: Wavertree Botanic Gardens © Edmund Gall / Flickr
Address & Map: Edge Ln, Liverpool L7 9PL, United Kingdom
Exploring an urban area as a pup can be overwhelming (for you, and for them). So why not give your dog some respite and take a 40 minute walk around Wavertree Botanic Gardens?
With beautiful tree lined paths and over 104 acres of parkland to explore, your dog will be in their element when you take them to this much loved Liverpool location. Let your pooch enjoy some fresh air before or after they hit the city in these stunning gardens. Plus, with a walled botanic garden and a Grade II listed curator’s lodge, there’s something for the humans too. You’ll find a tranquil oasis within the grounds, complete with ornamental fountains, summerhouses, fishponds and aviaries.
If you have little feet running around who need some play time too, this is an ideal stop off point in between the hustle and bustle of the city. With children’s play parks and loads of room to run around the grounds, your kids will love the Wavertree Botanic Gardens too.
7. Enjoy some street food
Address & Map: Ten streets market – Cotton St, Liverpool L3 7BX, United Kingdom, Baltic market – 107 Stanhope St, Liverpool L8 5RE, United Kingdom
Liverpool is becoming famous for its street food scene that has started booming in recent years. The great news for dog lovers is that two of the most popular markets are dog-friendly – Ten Streets Market and Baltic Market.
Ten streets is born out of the Ten Streets project, which aims to transform the north Liverpool area into a vibrant, creative hub. As such, this place is full of unique, independent food stalls that offer amazing grub at very reasonable prices.
On top of all that, Ten Streets is also lined with great vintage shops and cafes that have become their own little community. As a relatively new area, Ten Streets is somewhat of a hidden gem but is well worth the visit if you want to soak up all the street culture Liverpool has to offer. Ten Streets is super dog-friendly and has dog treats available for furry pals so that they don’t have to sit there salivating as you indulge in some amazing food and drinks.
Baltic market is another great dog-friendly activity in Liverpool, with regular events on Sundays like the farmers market, art market and even a dog market! Featuring a global street fare and an amazing range of foods, there really is something for everyone at Baltic market – including your pooch!
If your dog is less of a city dweller and more of a stay at home pup, why not explore Rover.com’s trusted dog sitters in Liverpool who can take care of your dog whilst you explore the city? With local sitters who treat your dog just like family, you’ll be sure to find your perfect match.
You can also take a look at our article on the best dog-friendly restaurants in Liverpool to find the perfect place to stop for food whilst you explore the city!
