Forestry England has launched ‘Forest Walkies,’ a new dog-walking experience across 22 of England’s forests in collaboration with Aardman and Ordnance Survey.
Designed to give dogs and their owners a unique, activity-filled day out, the Forest Walkies routes will feature a series of themed panels featuring Wallace & Gromit, encouraging fun challenges and interaction along the way. The campaign aims to promote quality time for dogs and their owners and includes the chance to win a holiday for the whole family.
Wallace & Gromit Lead Forest Walkies Fun
Panels along each forest route feature activities for dogs and their owners, guided by Wallace & Gromit’s humorous approach. Activities include simple commands like encouraging your dog to sit or lie down for short periods, playful “high-fives,” and moments to pause and enjoy the forest views. There’s also a photo spot at the end of each route for dogs to pose with Wallace’s famous “Cheese, Gromit!” line. The routes are available on the Ordnance Survey Maps app for easy navigation, where participants can also enter the Forest Walkies competition.
Forestry England reports that one-third of all forest visitors bring their dogs to enjoy the scenic trails, with Forest Walkies intended to enrich these visits. Bridgette Hall, Head of Recreation for Forestry England, noted the programme’s appeal, saying, “The forest is the perfect place for dogs to have fun, exercise and stay healthy all year round. As well as being a beautiful environment for us as we take our dogs for a walk, it’s also a place full of enrichment for them with sights and smells to keep your dog happy and stimulated.”
Forest Walkies Activity Pack and Competition
To support Forest Walkies, Forestry England offers an optional activity pack that includes a Wallace & Gromit-themed tote bag, a dog bandana, and a leaflet with a competition entry form. The activity pack also features a crossword puzzle that walkers can complete along the route using clues from the panels. The competition offers one lucky dog and family a chance to win a £1,500 Forest Holidays cabin break for a memorable retreat. Additional information on entering the competition is available within the activity pack and on Forestry England’s website.
As well as the themed activities, Rachael Peacock, Senior Brand Manager at Aardman, expressed excitement about the collaboration with Forestry England. “Wallace and Gromit love the countryside and can’t wait to start encouraging families to get outdoors with their four-legged friends on these cracking dog-walking trails. Wallace is dusting off his ultimate walkies invention, The Wrong Trousers, in preparation!” she said.
Ordnance Survey’s Role in Bringing Forest Walkies to Life
Ordnance Survey has joined the project, offering seamless access to the routes on its OS Maps app. Nick Giles, Managing Director for Leisure at Ordnance Survey, highlighted the app’s role in supporting outdoor exploration. “This series of Wallace and Gromit routes around forests in England are wonderful fun for your dog and you. We are excited about helping people find the routes easily in the OS Maps app, the UK’s leading outdoor exploration app,” he said.
Gromit will also serve as Forestry England’s ambassador for the year, promoting safe and enjoyable forest visits for people and pets alike. Forestry England reminds visitors to adhere to the forest dog code, which includes keeping dogs close, bagging and binning waste, and following posted signs to protect the environment and other visitors.
For dog owners who wish to further explore England’s forests, Forestry England offers national membership, providing more access to hundreds of forest sites and supporting the conservation efforts that keep these spaces well-maintained for public use. More information on membership can be found at forestryengland.uk.
