Manchester has been named one of the best UK cities for dog walking this spring.
As the sun shines and the flowers bloom, dog owners across the UK looking for perfect spring walking locations should head to Manchester, according to some new research which has ranked the city among Britain’s best destinations for dog-friendly spring strolls.
Pet-sitting platform TrustedHousesitters analysed a range of factors including dog-friendly venues, trail ratings, walkability scores, access to green spaces, and even the average April rainfall.
Our city particularly excelled when it came to walkability, with a perfect 100/100 score, as well as rating highly for its access to nature, with 20.42% of the city dedicated to green space.
ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester has been named one of the best UK cities for dog walks this spring / Credit: Mylo Kaye | Sarah Duffin (via Unsplash)
Despite the higher average April rainfall (68.36mm), which let’s be honest, is hardly a shock to us all, even if the weather has been particularly glorious in recent weeks, Manchester’s combination of excellent urban green spaces and strong trail ratings (4.2/5) helped to secure its top five position.
Manchester is also home to an impressive 117 dog-friendly pubs, restaurants, and cafes too, meaning dog walkers and their furry friends will be spoilt for choice when choosing somewhere to unwind after their springtime stroll.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bristol, Nottingham, Brighton, and Edinburgh were the other four cities to make up the top five list, meaning Manchester is the only northern city to feature.
“Giving your pup a chance to explore new paths and experience new scent trails, sceneries, and different terrain is great for their active minds,” explains Dr Lily Richards, who is veterinary surgeon.
The city rates highly for walkability and access to nature / Credit: Gustavo Fring (via Unsplash)
“A good walking trail has lots of opportunities to rest out of the heat and in the shade, as well as wide paths, no steep cliffs, and soft surfaces to prevent paw injuries.”
ADVERTISEMENT
While taking in nature is beneficial for owners and their pooches alike, Dr Richards does encourage pet owners to avoid stoney or boggy areas, due to the risk of injury or environmental diseases.
“After your walk, remember to wash off any mud for disease prevention and check for ticks to prevent tick-borne diseases such as Lymes disease, babesiosis, and rocky mountain fever,” Dr Richards continued.
She also advised owners to “be aware of grassy or wooded areas with lots of leaf litter where natural dangers or predators can lie”.
Featured Image – Hiro Takashima (via Unsplash)
Trending
Pep Guardiola says Manchester United fans should be ‘ashamed’ after ‘sick’ chant
Danny Jones
Man City manager Pep Guardiola has condemned the Man United fans who began what has been described as a ‘sick’ chant during this weekend’s Manchester derby.
It was a forgettable outing for both sides of the city after a game where a lack of quality in the final third ultimately led to a bore draw at Old Trafford.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, having already made a point of consoling him on the pitch after the full-time whistle, Guardiola said it displayed “a lack of class” from the home support.
Although the Catalan coach added the caveat that “it’s not United, it’s the people [instead]” and does happen all over the world, he still questioned the need to draw family members into chanting.
Described by many online as abuse, he went on to state that those involved “should be ashamed” and simply showed a lapse in “integrity” from those who continued well into the second half.
Foden himself could be seen reacting to the chants during the game, giving the crowd a sarcastic thumbs up and then swinging his arm upwards as if to ask for them to keep it up.
It would have no doubt stirred plenty of motivation in the 24-year-old Stopfordian, but he was ultimately subbed off just before the hour mark to a further chorus of jeers and looked to be somewhat limping down the tunnel after all was said and done – again, with the chants about his mum continuing.
Striker Troy Deeney told talkSPORT that it is merely “part of the game, unfortunately”, and United legend Gary Neville still criticised both sides for being too friendly both before and after what is supposed to be a fierce rivalry.
Is he right?
Though an arm around the shoulder from Pep in the immediate aftermath served as a touching gesture and consolation for Foden following a difficult evening, the England international has so far refused to comment on the treatment from the opposition supporters afterwards.
If anything, his subsequent post on social media was a standard but defiant one, simply writing: “We keep going.”
Despite struggling to hit the same heights he did last season and has shown in spells over recent years, former City defender Micah Richards still believes we’ll see a “better” Phil Foden when team talisman De Bruyne leaves at the end of the season.
You can watch the highlights from the game down below.
Featured Images — BeanymanSports/Sky Sports (screenshots via YouTube)
Trending
Manchester to mark VE Day 80 with a full day of ‘meaningful’ celebrations
Emily Sergeant
VE Day 80 is coming up at the beginning of next month, and Manchester is set to commemorate it with a full day of celebrations.
Victory in Europe (VE Day) – which takes place on 8 May each year, and marks the Allied victory in Europe – resulted in millions celebrating the end of the war in 1945, with street parties, dancing and singing all across the country.
And now, 80 years later, similar events and celebrations are set to take place across the UK.
As well as the planned commemorations set to take place over four days at the start of May that were already previously announced by the Government early last month, Manchester will too be paying tribute to the ‘courage, determination, and sacrifices’ made throughout the conflict with its own set of local events.
Celebrate VE Day 80 by hosting a street party for your community.
Apply for a free road closure for your street on Monday 5 May 2025.
The deadline to apply is 5pm on Saturday 12 April 2025.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) April 4, 2025
Street parties were a common sight back in 1945, where communities came out in force to share the collective joy that the war was over, and now, 80 years on, Manchester City Council is encouraging the people of Manchester to do the same.
Councillors want locals get the bunting out, bake a Victoria sponge, and celebrate with a street party of their own.
To help facilitate this, during the bank holiday on Monday 5 May, the usual £159 fee for a street closure will be waived by the Council – with a dedicated web page set up to manage people’s applications.
Manchester is marking VE Day 80 with a full day of ‘meaningful’ celebrations next month / Credit: Jason Garcia (via Flickr) | Becky Fantham (via Unsplash)
All street party applications need to be made by 5pm on 12 April.
On top of these local community events, a range of civic events will also be taking place too, with a reception hosted by the Lord Mayor welcoming veterans and dignitaries to Central Library, as well as an evensong at Manchester Cathedral, followed by a celebratory ringing of the bells.
Residents, businesses, and local education establishments are also encouraged to create pieces of art to hang in their windows, make their own unique commemorative bunting, and so much more to show their appreciation.
“The 80th anniversary of VE Day provides us a valuable opportunity to remember and reflect on the immense sacrifices which were made to ensure that tyranny in Europe was ultimately defeated,” commented Councillor Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.
“As the decades go on, and the Second World War moves further from living memory, it makes it more important than ever that younger generations learn the lessons of history and keep alive the spirit of those who served our country.
“I am immensely proud to lead the Council during such a meaningful occasion and I would invite all Mancunians to join me in celebration of VE Day 80 this May.”
Emily Sergeant -
7th April 2025 
