Dog galloping on Reigate Hill
Walks

The Best Surrey Dog Walks with a Cafe

15th August 2020

Many of us enjoy a coffee and a snack when walking our dogs and we are lucky that in Surrey there are plenty of lovely walks which are nice for humans, great for dogs and also have a cafe nearby. 

Some of the Surrey dog walks with a cafe below are very popular and well known, but we have also tried to include some less known sites which hopefully are less busy if you are looking for a quieter Surrey dog walk which also has a place for refreshments.

During lockdown some Surrey cafes may have reduced opening times and may also offer takeaway only, so please check directly with the venue before visiting.


1. Frensham Pond, Farnham, GU10 3BT (Little Pond)

Frensham Pond has been mentioned on many of our suggestions for top places to walk your dog in Surrey. Frensham Little Pond has a lot to offer and is a very popular place to visit. Frensham Little Pond is great for dogs as the majority of the paths are away from roads, there is a big lake they can splash in, and you can walk for miles if you want to. It’s also great for adults and children, having a cafe on site, beautiful scenery, a sandy beach great for picnics and gently sloping shores into the lake which are perfect for children to paddle in. Because of this, it can get quite busy especially during warm summer days. Another place similar to Frensham Ponds is Virginia Water, which has a lake, lots of walking trails and places to get refreshments.

CORRECTION: We have been contacted by a warden who has advised us that people and dogs are not allowed in the water at Frensham Little Pond. We apologise for the incorrect information previously given above. As this is a SSSI National Trust Nature reserve then the wildlife is protected and dogs going into the water can frighten nesting birds, flea/tick spot-on that people put on their dogs is killing water insects, reducing fish populations and harming the whole ecosystem. He has also advised that during bird nesting season (March to September), dogs are not allowed off a lead on all the surrounding heathland and dogs are also not allowed on the beach or in the water at Frensham Great Pond.  


2. Non Such Park, Epsom, SM3 8AB

This park in Epsom has a cafe behind the mansion as well as a cafe in the middle of the nearby Cheam Park. There are many trails that you can walk around with some of them being all weather paths suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The park is quite popular especially on sunny days where you will see many picnickers as enjoying the flat grassy areas. It is away from roads and great for your dog to run around.


3. Newlands Corner, Guildford, GU4 8SE

Newlands Corner benefits from two cafes, one in the main car park which is a takeaway site, and the Plucky Pheasant just across the A25 (take care when crossing this as it is a very busy road), which is also dog friendly. Dog with View at Newlands CornerThere are great views from Newlands Corner from the car park, so you don’t have to go far if you would like to enjoy a coffee with a view over the Surrey Hills. You can walk down the hill to enjoy the views, or stay at the top of the ridge and walk along the main path through the woods which is quite flat. In summer this is also suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The car park at Newlands corner is managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust who have recently removed their parking charges so parking is now free, however you are welcome to make a donation if you wish.


4. Redhill Memorial Park, RH1 1SZ

This is quite a small park in Redhill but the cafe in the middle (Pistachios in the Park) is dog friendly and they will make a fuss of your pooch when visiting. There is a sports zone which offers free tennis courts and a multi-use games area with a trim trail. You will also find a community orchard with sensory garden and a children’s play area with water during the summer. There aren’t too many walks directly from the park but you are close to the Surrey Hills with lots of great dog walks a short drive away.


5. Ockham Common, Cobham, KT11 1NA

There are three commons close to the A3 and M25 junction near Wisley which are all great for your dog to explore. Ockham Common has a takeaway cafe (Ockham Bites) at the car park and from here you can also reach Chatley Heath and visit the Semaphore Tower. The heath is managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust and they have recently cancelled their parking charges so parking here is now free (you are welcome to make a donation though if you wish). The heathland is a nationally important site for dragonflies and damselflies and it also attracts many rare birds. Wisley Common is on the other side of the A3 and is a nice flat heathland with a wet area in the middle which your dog might like to take a dip in. There are cows being grazed on these sites so just be aware of this if your dog isn’t good around livestock.


6. Boxhill, Dorking, KT20 7LF

Dog at top of box hill, SurreyThere are many walks available from the car park at the top of Box Hill which is also next to a cafe. Only guide dogs are allowed inside, but there is seating outside and a servery window so that you can order without leaving your dog alone outside. This site is managed by the National Trust so if you are not a member you will need to pay for parking here. If you have children with you, there is a nice circular natural play trail with a well-managed path suitable for pushchairs which has a number of natural items for children to play on as you go around. Some of the paths go quite close to the road for a short section, but there are also many others which you can choose from if you prefer. You will also find the ‘Stepping Stones’ Walk here which is a favourite with visitors.


7. Lightwater Country Park, GU18 5RG

Another great site if you also want to bring the kids along, this country park has a dog friendly cafe as well as a recently refurbished playground and lots of trails to walk the dog. Some of the trails do go quite steeply uphill but this means that you get some nice views from the top if you decide to go this way. There is also a short walk near to the cafe which would be suitable for a pushchair.


8. Reigate Hill

Reigate Hill is linked to Gatton Park and managed by the National Trust. You will find the cafe at Wray Lane Car Park with benches outside. The Dog galloping on Reigate Hillwalks from here can be quite steep, but you can walk past Reigate Fort on an all weather path which is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. This leads to a large grassy area with great views but the path gets a bit bumpy from here. It is great for dogs to have a good run around though and it makes for a nice flat out and back walk. There is a circular walk around Gatton Park which has gardens worked on by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Parking at Wray Lane is free and the site is also only one mile from Reigate Station, although this is a hilly walk up if you do choose to come by train.


Dog on walk to cafe9. Whitmoor Common, Guildford, GU3 3LH

The ‘Wild!…About Coffee’ landrover can usually be found at the Salt Box Road Car Park at Whitmoor Common from Thursday to Sunday (Please check they have returned following the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic). Whitmoor Common is a popular area to walk dogs as we have recommended here and here. There are occasionally cows on the site contained by an electric fence so please be aware of this if your dog is not good around livestock. However this is a great place to walk with your dog as it contains both heathland and woodland for you to explore as well as streams and ponds which dogs can take a dip in.


10. Bucks Green, Rudgwick, RH12 3JJ

Just over the border at the South of Surrey in Rudgwick you will find the Apple Tree Cafe. This is a dog friendly cafe next to a cricket ground (Please check it has reopened following the Coronavirus pandemic). There are some walks along public footpaths to the south of the green and its possible to create a circular route if you include a short stretch of road.


Do you know of other great Surrey dog walks with a cafe? If so please include them in the comments below so that other readers can benefit from them. Any questions please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

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