Where to walk your dog from Tattershall Lakes
A week away with the dog is one of the best things about owning one, and Tattershall Lakes is a popular spot for exactly that. The question we always get asked by people staying there is simple. Where do we actually walk? Here is our answer.
Tattershall sits in flat, open Lincolnshire, with the castle on one side, RAF Coningsby on the other and water everywhere. It is a different kind of walking from hills and coast, but it is good walking, and there is more of it than first appears. We have put the walks in rough order of effort, starting with the ones you can do in your slippers.
On the park
The lakes themselves give you the obvious first walk. Paths run around and between the water, and a lap before breakfast is a lovely way to start a holiday day. Keep your dog on a lead on the park, both because it is a shared space with children and other dogs, and because the lake edges are soft and deeper than they look.
Two things worth knowing. In warm weather, still water can carry blue-green algae, which is harmful to dogs, so keep yours out of the lakes unless the park says they are fine to swim in. And the park has its own rules about where dogs can and cannot go, so have a look at the welcome information or ask at reception before you set off.
Tattershall village and the castle
A short walk from the park brings you into Tattershall itself, a pretty village with a market square, a handsome church and the great red brick tower of Tattershall Castle rising over everything. The castle is looked after by the National Trust, and the grounds and the walk around the moat are a nice gentle outing. Check the Trust's current dog policy before you go, as it can vary between the grounds and the buildings.
The village has shops and places to eat, and plenty of them have a water bowl outside the door. It is a lead walk, but it is the one where you will meet locals, and locals know where the good walks are.
The River Bain and the Witham
Water is the theme around here. The River Bain runs past Tattershall and Coningsby on its way to join the Witham, and there are footpaths and quiet lanes along stretches of both. They are flat, open and very quiet midweek. Expect mud after rain, steep banks, and the occasional swan with opinions. Lead on near the water, and bring a towel for the car.
Coningsby and the jets
Coningsby is the next village along, almost joined to Tattershall, and it is home to RAF Coningsby. That means one thing for dog walkers. Jets. On a flying day the Typhoons go over low and loud, and the historic aircraft of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight are based here too.
Most dogs get used to it surprisingly quickly, and some barely look up. A noise sensitive dog may find it hard, so for the first day or two keep walks short and close to the lodge, and have a treat ready when a jet goes over so the noise starts to mean good things. If your dog is really struggling, a word with your vet before the trip is always worth it. Our guide to reading dog body language will help you spot stress early.
The big one: Woodhall Spa
When you want a proper walk, drive ten minutes north to Woodhall Spa. Ostler's Plantation is a large Forestry England pine wood on sandy ground, with wide rides, soft paths and space for a dog to run. It drains well, so it is a good bet even in wet weather. From the village you can also pick up the Spa Trail, a flat path along the old railway towards Horncastle, and Kirkby Moor, a heathland nature reserve where dogs stay on leads.
We have written a full guide to dog walks around Woodhall Spa, and the village itself, with its cinema in the woods and cafes along the Broadway, is worth an afternoon on its own.
Day one
A lap of the lakes and a wander into Tattershall. Short, on the lead, let your dog settle.
Day two
The castle grounds or the river bank, depending on the weather and your dog.
Day three
Drive to Woodhall Spa for Ostler's Plantation and a cafe afterwards.
Any day
Check the Packmates pages for Tattershall, Coningsby and Woodhall Spa and join a local walk.
Walking with locals
The quickest way to find the best walk anywhere is to ask someone who lives there. Packmates is a noticeboard for dog walks, and the pages for Tattershall, Coningsby and Woodhall Spa show walks that local owners have posted. Each page looks around fifteen kilometres out, so all three overlap and you will see the same friendly faces.
If you would rather lead than follow, post a walk yourself. Say you are staying at Tattershall Lakes, where you will start and when, and a line about your dog. Holiday walkers are very welcome, and you may find a local who will show you a path that is not on any map. Our guide to how Packmates works explains the rest, and everyone on it is over eighteen and verified, with a quick Proof of woof photo so you know they really do have a dog.
