Staffordshire developer shows residents where to bark up the right tree for National Pet Month

Canine companions are always in need of a nice long walk, and with the warmer evenings now here, there are few better places to do it than Uttoxeter.

Barratt Homes is dedicated to ensuring that all of its new residents have easy access to green open space. According to Beyond Greenspace, green space is incredibly beneficial for people’s mental health as it provides a space for physical activity, communal cohesion, a relaxing environment and improved living conditions.

The Dowling Road development certainly offers this in abundance, with a total of 18.24 acres of public open space available for residents to enjoy.

The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) suggests that dog owners enjoy a large number of health and social benefits by walking their pets daily. This can help with improving mobility and decreasing the likeliness to fall in older adults, as well as it being incredibly important for a dog’s health, too.

Time spent with a dog during walks is invaluable, helping to strengthen the bond and deepen the emotional connection. It also offers itself as an easy solution to the risks of physical inactivity.

Beyond the development, Staffordshire is home to a wealth of potential walking spots that combine green and blue open space to make every walk new and refreshing.

Barratt Homes is keen to highlight a selection of walks that are suitable to a wide range of people and pups:

Uttoxeter to Doveridge Circular

This over two and a half hour hike is rated as a moderate journey, which makes it perfect for people who want to push themselves, but also not be so difficult that they can’t be joined by man’s best friend.

Picknall Brook

This waterway runs through the centre of Uttoxeter with an easily accessible pathway that snakes through the town and surrounding countryside, providing a calm and peaceful path for dog walkers.

Those enjoying the walk will be able to make regular stops throughout to venture into Uttoxeter town centre and grab a bite to eat.

JCB Lake Circular

For this one, residents will venture out of Uttoxeter and towards the neighbouring village of Rocester. Experience this 1.9-km circular trail around the JCB World Headquarters. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 29 min to complete. This trail is great for birding and walking, and hikers are unlikely to encounter many other people while exploring.

Nicola Foster, Senior Sales Manager at Barratt Homes West Midlands, said: “These walks are a great way for our residents to get moving with their dogs throughout the year and freshen up their routines.

“Uttoxeter is a fantastic place to walk due to the vast amounts of greenery. Many of our developments have large open spaces for residents to enjoy, and our developments in Staffordshire are no exception.”