Days out in Dogtober: fun with canine friends

With the dog days of summer over, October offers plenty of exciting, pooch-orientated activities across the GWR network for you and your canine companion to enjoy together. Woof woof!

Movie mutts

Balham’s boutique cinema, The Exhibit, is offering two dog-friendly screenings during October. Cuddle up on a cosy sofa with your furry pal and enjoy either Elton John biopic Rocketman or WWII / football drama The Keeper. Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, also showing this month, is (happily) not an option. And don’t forget the pupcorn!
Details: The Exhibit, Balham, London SW12 / Friday 4 & Friday 11 October / 3:30pm / Tickets from £8 (dogs go free).
Getting there: Take a GWR train to London Paddington, then the Underground to Balham.
theexhibit.co.uk

Pooch painting

Develop your puppy-painting skills during this two-hour pet portrait workshop, co-run by doggy daycare enterprise, Paws & Pause. All materials are provided (including live, canine models), but well-behaved woofers are welcome.
Details: Paws & Pause, 514 Ridgway Road, Brixton, London SW9 / Saturday 5 October / 2-4pm / £40
Getting there: Take the GWR train to London Paddington, then the Underground to Brixton.
pawsandpause.co.uk

Doggy paddle

Take your pooch to the pool for Sandford Parks Lido’s annual ‘Dog Swim Day’. Owners are encouraged to join their doggies for a dip to help build their water confidence.
Details: Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham / Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 October / 10am-2pm / £10 entry fee (includes one dog and two humans).
Getting there: Take the GWR train to Cheltenham Spa.
sandfordparkslido.org.uk

Dog Yoga

Designed to help pets and their owners de-stress, dog yoga (or ‘doga’) is becoming increasingly popular. Mahny Djahanguiri – the UK’s leading doga expert – will be taking you, and your four-legged friend, through the moves (including the downward-facing dog, naturally).
Details: The Wellness Studio, The Stratford Hotel, Stratford, London E20 / Saturday 19 October / 10am-12pm / £30
Getting there: Take the GWR train to London Paddington, then connections to Stratford Station.
thestratford.com

Genius Dog Classes

Pet training with a difference – these weekly classes can teach you and your old dog new tricks! Activities include brain games, scent work and man-trailing (that’s following a scent of a man or woman).
Details: Bow-Wow Boutique and Spa, Cardiff / Wednesdays in October / 6:15-7:15pm / £15
Getting there: Take the GWR train to Cardiff Central.
boomerangdogs.com

 

Travelling with dogs on the GWR network
Dogs travel free of charge on GWR trains and the London Underground. They must be kept on a lead or in a rigid pet carrier. For more information on travelling with animals, go to gwr.com