Best Places in the West Midlands for Dog Walkers
A question I occasionally get asked is where is the best place to photograph a dog? The simple answer is, it depends what sort of scenery you are going for. The best thing about the Midlands is it almost has it all, ok not quite the beach or the sea, but the architecture, the woodlands, the historic lands and buildings and virgin lands are all around us, with countryside and cities being within a few miles from each other it really isn’t that hard to get an image that’s breathtaking!
West Midlands Dog Hotspot
One of my favourite hot spots for dog walking in the midlands is Himley Hall and Park, once home to the Earls of Dudley and host royal and high society, it isn’t hard to see why this building would make the most stunning backdrop. Not only that, but it is set alongside 180 acres of landscaped parkland, with a beautiful large pond, a large grass area, and a nice wooded area which flourishes come spring and summer of flowers, bluebells and more!
Here are just a few images taken at Himley and the stunning backdrops it provides. Featuring Louie the Dachshund, Branston the rescue, and my Marley the cavalier! From spring through to Autumn! It makes the most perfect backdrop all year round.
Some other places in the West Midlands for gorgeous scenic walks with your dogs would be Sandwell Valley Country Park, Sutton Park, Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve, Malvern Hills (AONB), the canals of the west midlands make for superb scenic walks, Clent Hills, Lickey Hills, and even Clee Hill! If you live more northern, Cannock chase is a notable area for dog walkers and forestry that it is also a listed Area Of Natural Beauty (AONB).
Where can I go for free parking/public transport?
If driving is an issue, or you don’t like paying for parking (Himley is great, but you need to carry spare change for parking), then there are loads of free places for parking in the Midlands for dog walkers. Another local favourite of mine is Priory Park, which is situated right next to Dudley Castle, and within the grounds of Priory Park, you have Priory ruins, part of St James’s Priory which is over 900 years old and a Grade I listed building. The southern end of the park is a scheduled ancient monument! My personal favourite part of this park is also in the spring and summer when you have flowers blooming particularly around the ancient ruins and the pathways around it, I am definitely a big fan of the cobblestone path and stairs which can make a nice beautiful background as seen in the image of my Marley below. In the Autumn, the park is filled with orange leaves from the surrounding trees and it fills the park ground!
Another few places for free parking are Uffmoor wood - a woodland trust site and fully wooded out, Wrens Nest Nature reserve which is generally on street parking as the car park is rarely open, although it’s not impossible to get a space and can make some nice scenic historic walks as you walk through and have a little adventurous walk near the cliffs and a stunning view of the fossils dated millions and millions of years ago, and show what the midlands used to be. You can also get parking near to Sandwell Valley, Wyre Forest, Clent Hills and pretty much almost anywhere if you are okay walking that little bit further. Generall more urban areas have easier public transport access than forests and hills may have, but parks within towns are usually stunning and can make for some of the most beautiful scenery if you put a pause button on life for a moment.
Marley at Priory Park
Can my dog be let off his/her lead?
I strongly believe that if your dog has good recall to let them off their leads especially in more open fields like Sandwell Valley, or Himley Hall which have enough space for the dogs to safely run about without having to be hit by traffic. Always stick to signs that advise you to keep your pet on their lead. Woods are great for walks but be wary they are also home to a lot of wildlife and if your dog isn’t used to it and may bolt off, this can be harmful for all yourself, them and the wildlife. Respect the grounds that you chose to walk your dog on and generally open fields are great as you can usually see another dog within miles. The best times to walk dogs in these locations are weekdays as they are usually most empty. Whilst I let my dog off at Priory Park because they can and in some places it is safe, I do not encourage it if your dog is easily startled as there are many main roads and fine paths that you aren’t generally going to see oncoming dogs until last moment.
What to expect if you book a shoot:
What if I decide to book a shoot and I don’t want to chose a public park?
I am always welcome and happy to liaise with a client. If you are a client and you know somewhere more quiet, or you know best or even your pets favourite place, I am always happy to work around that arrangement to make yourselves and your dogs comfortable providing it is safe enough for me to do so - i.e not too harsh of terrain.
What if my dog can’t go off his/her lead?
I wouldn’t stress too much. Most of the dogs I have worked with have been on a lead/harness. I have many years of photoshop knowledge behind me that editing out a lead is the most simplest task in the world. I want both yourself and your fur babies to be comfortable on all shoots and at no point will I pressure you to do anything. Sometimes the best pictures I take are caught when a dog is off guard or natural, as that is usually the time they show the most curiosity, for example Louie the Dachshund, he doesn’t like looking at the camera, but how can you resist these images? He is the perfect model and has made some of my favourite pictures yet!
If you have any questions please click the ‘Contact’ below and I will aim to get back to you within 24 hrs.
