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Best dog walks near Sunderland

Apr 27, 2022
Best dog walks near Sunderland

Boasting a desirable location, at the mouth of the River Wear where it flows into the North Sea, Sunderland is a brilliant place to live if you have a dog. From coastline walks to spectacular stretches of open countryside, this part of Tyne and Wear is a real haven for pets. Whether you’re travelling for the weekend from neighbouring Newcastle or Gateshead or planning to move here for good, we’ve put together some of the best dog-friendly walks.

Key Takeaways

1. Herrington Country Park: 
This 30-acre green space, close to Sunderland city center, is a favorite for locals and visitors alike. It's perfect for burning off energy with endless games of fetch.
 
2. Tunstall Hills:
 Located on the southern outskirts of Sunderland, this area of open land features gentle slopes and is popular among dog walkers.
 
3. Sunderland Marina: 
Enjoy a stroll around the marina area with your furry friend.
 
4. Roker and Seaburn Beaches:
 Take in the coastal views while walking along Roker promenade.
 
5. Backhouse Park: 
Within walking distance of the city center, Backhouse Park offers well-signposted routes of varying lengths, suitable for all dog breeds and fitness levels.
 
6. Hylton Castle:
 Explore the historic Hylton Castle grounds with your canine companion.

Herrington Country Park

This 30-acre green space is one of the locals and visitors’ favourite, as it sits very close to Sunderland city centre. It offers cycling and walking trails, a boating pond and fascinating environmental sculptures about the history of the city. This park is found at the foot of Penshaw Monument, which opens the way for Penshaw Circular Route – one of the city’s highest points at 136m high. Despite short, this walk provides some of the best views of the surrounding woodlands and plenty of different paths for your furry friend to explore.

Tunstall Hills

Lying on the southern outskirts of Sunderland, this area of open land is a popular site for dog walkers, thanks to its gentle slopes. There are regular tourist guides organised by expert enthusiasts in botany, geology and local history. You can learn all about Sunderland’s intriguing past while letting your dog play around the beautiful countryside on our Cherry Tree Park development in Rhyope.

Sunderland Marina

Even though you’ll need to keep your dog on a lead, the marina is still a great place for an afternoon walk. Home to the National Glass Centre and various shops and restaurants, it’s a great chance to breathe in some sea air while keeping your four-legged friend sand-free.  

Roker and Seaburn Beaches

There aren’t many things that dogs love as much as the beach. So, if you want to give them a treat, Roker and Seaburn beaches are your go-to places. Set against the backdrop of the glorious North East coast – from the sweeping sands of Whitburn Bay to Bede’s Cross – these two beaches have independent coffee shops and fish and chips shops for you to enjoy a rest while watching your dog make friends with others.

Backhouse Park

Located in the Ashbrooke suburb, around 2 miles south of Sunderland city centre, Backhouse Park is a natural arboretum, home to a great variety of trees and plants. It is famous for the stunning bulb display in early spring, which paints the whole landscape of purple and pink.

Hylton Castle

A little further afield from the heart of the action, around 4 miles north, this 14th-century castle was initially made of wood and then restored in stone. It is a Grade I-listed building, today owned by the English Heritage. Thanks to the beautiful swathes of open countryside, it is one of the firm favourites among dog owners. If you’d like to live close to this nature spot and make your furry friend happy, don’t miss our collection of 3 and 4 bedroom on Bedewell Court for modern housing.

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