DOG FRIENDLY DAYS OUT: HOW CHARLIE DOG INSPIRED A REVOLUTION IN THE NEW FOREST & DORSET
When I founded Insight Activities 12 years ago, I didn’t have a business plan – I had a dog, he was more far more than a dog to me, he was my soul mate.
His name was Charlie, and he was the reason I traded in my previous work as a freelance outdoor instructor and started looking for a woodland of my own, where I could write my own ‘dog friendly’ policies. I wanted a life where my best friend could come to work with me every single day. Back then, “dog-friendly” activity centres were hard to find. Most places I worked required me to leave him at home, or in the van when I was working. That didn’t sit well with me, so I decided that at Insight Activities you’d never have to make that choice.
Today, we are proud to be a top provider of dog friendly activities in the New Forest and Dorset, carrying on Charlie’s legacy at both of our award-winning woodland sites.
Dog Friendly Activities in the New Forest (Fordingbridge)
Our Hampshire woodland at Fordingbridge was Charlie’s home turf. He was my unofficial 2nd instructor and knew his job well! He would always interrupt my briefings by rolling a ball at one of our customers to get attention, it always worked. He was a gentle and playful soul, and his calm presence also helped many of our customers overcome their fear of dogs.
If you’re looking for things to do with your dog near Salisbury, Ringwood, or Bournemouth, then our New Forest site offers a great day out.
- Your dog is welcome to join you right at the shooting line on our Medieval Trio, Archery, Axe Throwing and Crossbow Shooting sessions.
- There are shelters up for shade and seating around the ranges. In addition, our private woodland provides natural shade, keeping paws cool and tails wagging even during the hot summer days.
- Water bowls are always available and kept topped up.
- Due to the wildlife in our rustic woodland, dogs must be kept on lead for the entire time they are on-site.
There are also plenty of dog friendly pubs nearby if you fancy a bite to eat after your session with us, with some lovely New Forest walks directly from the pub. The Fighting Cocks, The Foresters Arms and The Royal Oak at Fritham are three that we would highly recommend if you wanted to go for a dog walk after your meal, without having to drive to another location. If you just wanted a nearby spot to eat with pooch, then The George in Fordingbridge has a lovely riverside setting with great food, coffee and wine. They even have a special ‘Master Alan’s Doggy Menu’ available for the furries too!
Dog Friendly activities in Dorset (Tolpuddle)
If you’re visiting the Jurassic Coast or staying near Weymouth, Poole, Wareham or Dorchester then our Dorset woodland follows the exact same “dog-friendly” philosophy.
- Archery, Axe Throwing & Crossbows: You can learn these ancient target skills in a lovely woodland, with your dog right by your side.
- We’ve spent 12 years providing hassle free, dog friendly outdoor activities. There are also shelters and fresh water available for the furries.
At our Dorset location, if wanting to grab a bite to eat afterwards with pooch then there are plenty of great dog-friendly pubs nearby. Our nearest is The Martyrs Inn which also has dog friendly walking routes available directly from the location. If you wanted some really excellent gastropub fare then we would highly recommend The Wise Man Inn at East Knighton. Thorncombe Wood nature reserve is also nearby to us, and The Wise Man, and has 26 hectares of ancient woodland and heathland to explore.
In addition, within 10 mins of our Dorset woods, you can easily access both Wareham Forest and Puddletown Forest which offer some excellent walking trails and bike rides in the Dorset countryside.
Safety First: Protecting the Pack
Your safety, and your dog’s – is our priority. While we are committed to being dog friendly, there are two specific sessions where we have to maintain a “humans-only” policy:
- 3D Archery: This course spans 15 acres of wild, free-roaming woodland. For the safety of your dog and local wildlife, we cannot allow pets on this specific activity.
- Bushcraft: Our bushcraft sessions involve open fires and sharp knives. To ensure a controlled and safe environment, these sessions must remain dog-free.
- Dogs must be on lead the entire time – including the short walk from the carpark to the ranges – due to the varied wildlife at our woodlands.
Why Choose Insight Activities for your dog friendly days out?
- Nobody gets left behind: No more having to leave dogs at home or in cars.
- The natural woodland environment provides shade, and we also have man made shelters in place
- Fresh water always available: Dedicated water bowls are kept topped up at both locations.
- At both our New Forest and Dorset locations there are some lovely long dog walks nearby, and also plenty of dog friendly pubs to help you make the most of a day out with your furry friends!
Charlie may no longer be at the range to greet you, but his spirit is in the woods and core to our dog-friendly ethos. Come and see why we’re a great choice for dog-loving adventurers.