An Unmissable Itinerary: The Underdog

Do you want to be in on a secret? There’s an even better way to explore Unmissable Greenwich, and that is venturing off the beaten track in the company of your favourite furry friend.

Don’t have a dog? Don’t worry you can still enjoy meandering through Greenwich and discovering something new in the borough.   

Read on for the perfect dog-friendly adventure with wagging tails, and some well-earned pit stops with your pup, along the way.

First stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Maritime Greenwich and let your pooch do the directing – you never know what hidden passage or pocket-sized patch of park your guide may uncover. 

Next, it’s time for a treat! Head to Greenwich Market, the perfect dog-friendly shopping spot. Known for its historic charm and stalls run by independent designers, artisans, and gourmet food vendors, Greenwich Market is also a popular spot for locals with their fur babies. Sniff out puppy-friendly stalls like Organic Pet Bakery and grab a homemade gingerbread paw (not for you!), plus colourful homemade bandanas, pet toys, and more!

Now you’re in the historic town centre, you’ll find a host of proper British pubs, cute cafes, and unique places to shop. Plenty of which are ‘doggie approved’. Stop for a ‘pupachino’ (or at the very least a warm welcome and a pail of water) at cafes such as Grind, River Gardens Café and Green Café, or riverside pubs stretching along the Thames - the Oyster Catcher, Sail Loft and Trafalgar Tavern. And a short walk slightly further along the river is the Cutty Sark pub, which has been dubbed ‘one of the most dog-friendly pubs in the UK’.

Next, it’s time to take those little legs for a bit more of a wander on a trip to Greenwich Park, one of the eight stunning Royal Parks in London. It is no wonder this Park has had a starring role in several cult classics including The Secret Agent and Layer Cake. Explore the open green space where Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet donned Georgian frocks to shoot scenes for the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. Head to the summit of One Tree Hill for an unmissable view of London such as those seen in Layer Cake.

With 74 hectares of green space there’s so much space for walking along tree-lined paths to find hidden treasures - the site of a roman temple, an ice house, deer enclosure, orchard. There is also the viewing platform close to the Royal Observatory to get some five-star photos. 

Keep the wandering going by circling back to the Thames and descend to the Greenwich Foot Tunnel which links Greenwich beneath the river to the north side. Over 100 years old, and visited by 1.5 million people annually, it’s a piece of historic architecture that is both fascinating and functional. You may recognise the foot tunnel as it featured in the major  film ‘28 Weeks Later’ so grab a snap as you walk through the set.

On the north side, you can take the perfect ‘time-travelling’ pic of your pup. The foot tunnel leads to a waterfront parkland called Island Gardens, where you can snap your pooch in a shot that harks back to the famous Canaletto ‘A View of Greenwich from the River’ – a vista that takes in Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College, Queen's House, and in the distance the Royal Observatory, that is largely unchanged today.

Another fun way to travel across the river, but instead of below the river, to fly high in the sky by the IFS Cloud Cable Car. Start at Greenwich Peninsula terminal for a return trip that takes in glorious views over London. The best bit – your furry friend can come along for the ride too as the IFS Cloud Cable Car is dog friendly. 

If you and your pooch don’t have a head for heights, then Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is a great way to travel on the river with your four legged companion.