5 dog walks in Blackpool and the Fylde coast: best trails, parks and nature areas to walk your pet - from Stanley Park to Witch Wood

As the winter weather approaches and travel restrictions continue throughout the country, you may be bored of the same old neighbourhood walk with your dog.

Why not get out and explore beautiful nature spots on your own doorstep? And who better to accompany you than man’s best friend?

Here are six walks around the Fylde coast where you and your dog can blow off the cobwebs, stretch your legs and enjoy mother nature.

Fleetwood Marsh Nature Reserve

Fleetwood's nature park is tucked away behind the town's waste and recycling centre at the bottom of Jameson Road.

The site sits along the banks of the River Wyre, between the A585 Amounderness Way and Affinity Lancashire, on 18 hectares of land which were formerly home to to a power station.

There is plenty of parking available at nature reserve entrance, with access for walkers from the Redrow Harbour Village at Windward Ave.

Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park is also on the Wyre Way footpath which runs along the coast from Fleetwood to the River Wyre at Stanah.

Due to a decline in wildlife at the park a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) will be introduced to help restore the natural balance of the green space.

The site will be zoned, with areas where dogs will be required to be on leads, numbers limited to four dogs per person, as well as areas where dogs can be off leads.

Stanley Park

Blackpool's historic Grade II-listed park opened in 1926 and has been voted the best park in the UK on more than one occasion.

The vast 390 acre space offers dog walkers wonderful green spaces, Italian gardens and its tranquil boating lake.

The park facilities are open daily between 9am and 5pm, while the park itself is accessible from dawn until dusk.

If you need a rest, Stanley Park is home to a unique Art Deco Cafe overlooking the park where you can grab a bite to eat or enjoy a warming drink.

Parking is available at the West Park Drive entrance next to the sports and leisure centre - some on-street parking is also available.

Lytham and St Annes

Lovely Lytham boasts fantastic dog walks along the beach – perfect to blow away the cobwebs at the weekend.

The sand dunes offer some protection from the wind but the stunning beach is the highlight, so make sure you wrap up warm.

You can let your pooch off the lead to enjoy a decent run on the sand. The only non-dog friendly section is between the lifeboat station slipway and the northern end of North Promenade car park, which doesn’t allow canines – on or off the lead – between Good Friday and September 30.

Street parking is available on Clifton Road North.

It’s more a case of make your own way as the beach stretches south. At the pier you can head up onto the South Promenade, then back onto the sand further along.

Lytham has enough cafes, pubs and restaurants to suit every taste, with dog-friendly options aplenty too.

Wyre Estuary

One of Lancashire’s hidden gems, this area often flies under the radar despite the fact it offers some lovely views and excellent facilities at Wyre Estuary Country Park.

Car parking is available on Wyre Road. Take the turn off the main Skippool Road at Thornton Lodge.

Follow the track down to the yacht club, past rickety jetties and boats of various shapes and sizes. Some look river-worthy; others definitely do not!

The route goes in front of the yacht club building and then joins a well-established path that heads along the edge of the marshes to the county park.

There you will find a visitors centre, picnic benches, a children’s play area and the chance to let your dog enjoy the well-maintained paths.

You can retrace your steps back along the River Wyre to your car, with the changing tides offering different views on your return leg.

Wyre Estuary County Park has a café and toilet facilities.

Witch Wood

Witch Wood is maintained by the Lytham St Annes Civic Society is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Originally part of the Clifton Estate, the wood was named after a favourite horse of the Clifton family called 'The Witch', and the headstone can still be found on the site.

With hard footpaths throughout the woods, this forest walk is ideal for you and your furry friend.

Access to the woods can be found along Bridge Road, however, there is limited parking near the site.