4 Ways to Enjoy the Great Outdoors With Your Dog This Green Friday Weekend

Green Friday is all about alternatives to the commercialism of Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the other sneaky marketing ploys at this time of year.

One of the best ways to negate all of this is to spend some quality time outdoors, ideally with your favourite four-legged friends. 

But what's the best way to do this at a time of year that can often be less than appealing to get out in?

In today's post, we will be getting on our wellies and raincoats and gifting you a guide to the best ways to enjoy a little outside time with your dogs this winter whilst we overlook the shopping hell that will be going on around the country!

Our 4 Favourite Ways to get out With our Dogs this Weekend 

Getting outside on a weekend when many people around the country will be clicking away on their computers trying, mostly in vain, to find deals that don't really exist (see this research from Which?) seems like the perfect antidote. You might be lucky with the weather, it certainly seems to have cleared a little here in Cornwall, and be able to enjoy your usual strolls and outdoor adventures with your dog by your side. However, when the weather doesn't play ball and the rain is persisting, it can be hard to know what to do. Thankfully we’ve got a few fabulous suggestions for you to get the imagination running wild, so you can still enjoy an outdoor adventure, whatever the weather. 

A Wintery Walk in the Woods

When I was small we had the great pleasure of living just a stone’s throw away from Bacton Woods in Norfolk. And whenever the weather was wild we would take our dogs for their daily walks there. A wooded area provides plenty of cover from the wind and the rain and in some areas, where the trees are particularly dense, one can enjoy a delightful day out in spite of the great British climate! Finding your local wooded area can be as simple as searching ‘local Wood’ on Google or using the handy Woods Finder page on the woodland trust’s website. 

Cold Water Swimming

One of my great passions in life is surfing and there are few better ways to spend a portion of a rainy day than in the water, after all the rain doesn't harm you if you’re wet already!! In recent years cold water swimming has also become all the rage with a whole host of health benefits being related to getting into the cool water. It can also be a great thing to do with your dog if they love the water too. Shorter swims are best for most dogs, as prolonged submersion can potentially lead to hypothermia. The ideal length would be around 5-10 minutes, which should also give you all the benefits of this fantastic activity too. For a full lowdown on cold water swimming with your dog, check out this article from theswimmingguide.org Here>

Christmas Markets

If you prefer an adventure that is a little less extreme and is filled with a few more treats, why not find a local Christmas market to wander? At this time of year, Christmas markets are ten-a-penny and can be found in towns, village halls and city streets up and down the country. They are also a great way to support local businesses and find some truly unique gifts for your special someone this Christmas, as many of the stalls will be manned by local craftspeople and artisans. These markets will be ready for the bad weather too, with plenty of cover and glasses of mulled wine to warm the cockles when the wind picks up and the rain starts to fall. 

Check Out Some of the Best Christmas Markets in the UK Here>

A Jolly Jaunt to a Cosy Cafe

The fourth and final way we like to get out in the wintery weather is to plan a walk with a warm and welcoming endpoint. My gran always used to say “there’s never bad weather, just bad clothing choices”! So, why not wrap up warm and get out and brave the rain and wind and let the elements blow out the cobwebs? And when there is the promise of a huge mug of hot chocolate or a delicious warm snack to reward yourself and your dogs with at the end of your adventure, a wintry walk might not seem so daunting! Just remember to pack some old towels to keep your canine companions dry once it’s time to relax. Our favourite haunt, just a hop, skip and jump from our headquarters in Hayle, Cornwall, is the fantastic Birdies Bistro, but, we are sure there'll be something equally as fabulous near to where you and your dogs reside. 

So, this Green Friday weekend, why not ignore the shopping sprees and get you and your four-legged friends out into the fresh air and enjoy some quality time together, whatever the weather?!