Find Trusted Dog Walkers in Croydon

Popular locations

South Norwood Country Park has about 51 hectares of meadow, wetland and lakes. Some areas are managed for wildlife, so a dog should only be let off the lead there if its recall is reliable. There is a car park on Albert Road and a tram stop at Harrington Road.

Norbury Park is mostly open grass and is a short walk from Norbury station. It has a playground and a BMX area. The ground is clay and stays wet for a while after rain. South Norwood Lake has a path around the water and is mainly used for shorter walks.

Wandle Park is near the town centre and has its own tram stop. For many people living in the flats around East and West Croydon it is the closest green space. Lloyd Park, to the east of the centre, is also on the tram and covers about 46 hectares, so there is room for a longer walk. Keep away from the sports areas when games are being played.

Selsdon Wood, further east, is woodland. The Friends group asks owners to keep their dogs in sight and to use a lead if a dog doesn't come back when called.

Happy Valley, in the south, is about 101 hectares of hilly grassland and woodland. Farthing Downs joins it and has 95 hectares of chalk grassland and woods, with a pay-and-display car park at the southern end. Coulsdon South and Coulsdon Town stations are both close by, but the walk up from either is uphill.

Local requirements & standards

Croydon Council has dog control rules for public spaces across the borough. Owners have to clear up after their dog, keep dogs out of designated areas such as playgrounds, put a dog on a lead if an authorised officer asks, and not walk more than the permitted number of dogs at once. Signs in each park show where dogs must be on a lead.

Farthing Downs, Coulsdon Common, Kenley Common and Riddlesdown belong to the City of London Corporation and have their own byelaws. Dogs must be kept under effective control and must not chase livestock or wild birds.

When hiring a walker, ask how many dogs they walk together and how they manage the grazing fields on the Downs.

Neighbourhood insights

Around East and West Croydon most people live in flats. In Thornton Heath, Selhurst and South Norwood many streets are terraced houses with small gardens. Owners who commute often book a midday walk in a local park to break up the dog's day at home. Norbury has a mix of housing, with Victorian terraces near London Road and semi-detached streets further out.

Purley, Coulsdon, Kenley, Sanderstead and Selsdon have bigger houses and gardens, and many residents commute by train. Walks in these areas are usually longer and often go out onto the commons and downs.

Because the borough is long from north to south and hilly at the southern end, most walkers work in one part of it. Check which areas a walker picks up from before booking.

Seasonal considerations

Sussex cattle and Jacob sheep graze Farthing Downs as part of its conservation management. There is no set grazing season. Gates are signposted when animals are in a field, so check each time you visit. Ground-nesting birds breed on the Downs in spring and early summer, and dogs should be kept out of the marked nesting areas.

Norbury Park drains poorly and its brook floods, so it is muddy through the winter. The chalk on the Downs drains better. Norbury Park also holds events in summer, so look at the notices before planning a walk there.