Revealed: Top UK cities to walk your dog
5th April 2025: Chichester has been crowned the nation’s winning dog walking city, with Somerset the UK’s best region for dog walks in the inaugural Agria Dog Walks Index.
The cathedral city of Chichester in West Sussex cinched the top spot thanks to its perfect combination of green spaces, dog-friendly food and drink venues and nearby Areas of Natural Beauty (AONBs).
Created by Agria Pet Insurance – one of the world’s leading animal insurers – the Agria Dog Walk Index makes it easier than ever to plan the perfect dog walk anywhere in the UK. The index is based on online search data, proximity to green spaces, AONBs, and National Trust sites, to rank each location using a blend of popularity, accessibility, and dog-friendly amenities.
In close second is the UK’s southernmost city, Truro, scoring highly in the Dog Walk Index for its abundant green spaces, dog-friendly pubs and restaurants, and for its perfect position within the Cornwall AONB.
In fact, cities with castles and cathedrals are prominent features in the top 10 – with seven cathedral cities and three castles on the leaderboard. All cities in the index boast easy access to natural landscapes for dogs to explore, and plenty of pedestrianised city centre streets with dog-friendly places to eat and drink.
The index also reveals a clear Southern bias, with cities such as Bath, Wells, and Southampton dominating the rankings. The South West emerges as a particular hotspot, thanks to its concentration of smaller, walkable cities like Truro and Salisbury with countryside on the doorstep, while northern entries like York and Ripon stand out for their access to larger, more rugged landscapes.
The Top 10 Dog Walk Cities
| Rank | City | County | Score |
| 1 | Chichester | West Sussex | 52 |
| 2 | Truro | Cornwall | 50 |
| 3 | Wells | Somerset | 38 |
| =4 | Ripon | North Yorkshire | 33 |
| =4 | Bath | Somerset | 33 |
| =4 | Salisbury | Wiltshire | 33 |
| 7 | Chester | Cheshire | 32 |
| =8 | York | North Yorkshire | 31 |
| =8 | Stirling | Stirling | 31 |
| =8 | Southampton | Hampshire | 31 |
The index coincides with the launch of Agria’s annual charity Dog Walk event, returning this year as a nationwide digital event running throughout May. Dog owners are encouraged to get out and explore with their pets, with the option to log their walks in an online Strava club.
For every dog signed up to the free campaign, Agria will donate £5 to be shared between five UK rescue organisations, turning everyday strolls into meaningful support for animals in need. The rescues set to receive donations this year are:
Commenting on the campaign, Vicki Wentworth, Managing Director at Agria Pet Insurance, said:
“The Dog Walk Index and the Agria Dog Walk feel especially timely as we head into the summer and more people look forward to spending time outdoors with their dogs. What really shines through in the index is how much these places think about dogs themselves, from accessible green space through to safe, stimulating places to explore.
“Our annual Agria Dog Walk is a lovely way to celebrate the bond between dogs and their owners, while also recognising and supporting the rescue organisations who work day in, day out to give dogs a second chance. Taking part alongside all nine Agria nations, united in supporting those who work so hard to help dogs without a home, makes it feel particularly meaningful.
“In the UK alone, last year’s walks raised over £20,000 for animals in need, contributing to more than £2 million donated by Agria Pet Insurance to animal welfare organisations to date.”
Dog owners taking part in the Agria Dog Walk event are encouraged to plan walks responsibly, always ensuring their dog's comfort, keeping them under control near roads, livestock, and other people, and taking extra care around hazards such as cliff edges and open water.
Sign up to the Agria Dog Walk and gain access to the Agria Dog Walk Strava club at: https://www.agriapet.co.uk/agria-dog-walk/. There will be 10 prizes up for grabs for Agria Dog Walk participants throughout May, including a grand prize of £500 towards a dog-friendly stay.
ENDS
Media Enquiries:
Contact the Gold79 team at [email protected]
Notes:
Methodology
Each city was scored based on the following factors:
|
About Agria
Agria is one of the world’s leading animal insurers, specialising in small animal and equine insurance. Founded in Sweden over 130 years ago, Agria began underwriting policies in the UK in 2009 and is now a prominent part of the UK animal insurance sector. Agria is the only provider of lifetime equine insurance in the UK and has been protecting horses here since 2022.
In the UK, Agria works with over 60,000 vets, breeders and rehoming organisations, delivering a welfare-led approach to specialist, lifetime insurance. Agria also administers pet insurance schemes for the leading small animal registration bodies, The Kennel Club, and the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), and protects assistance dogs as they go about their day-to-day duties.
Agria's Lifetime Premium Cat & Dog policies are the Which? 2024 highest scoring Pet Insurance Best Buys, and in July 2025 Agria achieved a perfect score of 100/100 to lead the GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Pet Insurance Table.
For more information, seewww.agriapet.co.uk /www.kcinsurance.co.uk /www.gccfinsurance.co.uk /https://www.instagram.com/agriapetinsurance /https://www.facebook.com/agriapetuk
Shelley Harrison
Senior Communications Manager