Let's get started!
The walk starts on Ferry Road opposite dog-friendly Mews Brewhouse (corner of School Lane and Ferry Road).
Mews Brewhouse Iwade is dog-friendly and has indoor and outdoor seating. It's great for having in before or after your walk or taking away on your walk. Or both!Head down the slight slope with the Iwade Parish Council board on your left
Turn into Iwade Nature Park through the gap in the fence - this is Section 1 on Iwade Nature Park map at the top
Follow this section around the edge on the mowed path, be aware if you are off lead it is not enclosed. There are some dead ends that I quite like to explore up towards the church and alongside the cemetery|
Don't go the way the dog is going, just doing a bit of recall on our way! Keep the cute bridge bottom right in your head so you know where you areThe gap in the fence takes you through to Section 2 on the Iwade Nature Park map - follow it round to the right - there are bug hotels and info boards to read but when you get to the bridge (not far) or a farmer's field you've gone too far as these are not public footpaths :-( still worth an explore though but then head back the way you came back into Section 1
When you get to this bridge it's time to turn around and go back the way you came!
Head over the cute bridge into Section 3!
Once you're over the bridge head round to the left, you can come back to explore Section 3 after you've explored Section 4 and 5!
Head through the gap top left. Immediately on the left is the gate to Section 4.
This lovely dawg loves Section 4 and so does its owner! This fenced (not secure fencing) section has water, is quite wild, lots of animal life (high arousal area for Toby so we don't go off lead here!) and deep sections of undergrowth if your off lead dog decides to enter in (can you tell I'm speaking from experience?!).
We love section 5 although off-lead Toby sometimes likes to go deep into the undergrowth - we are working on that! You can walk immediately round the ponds on the grass or there is an outer path that goes all the way round take your pick!
Toby dawg loves the ponds for a dip
Handy cool off on a hot dayDogs are good for the soul! Taking a moment in the sunshine at the pond
Toby hanging out with his mates in Section 3!This picture was taken on a different day when we did the walk in reverse. I started at Section 3 with a takeaway latte and home-made lemon cake from Mews Brewhouse. I like to make a weekend walk a bit more of a treat. Highly recommend even if I did spill some of my coffee!
Various benches in Sections 1 and 3 to have a sit if you want to
What we like about the Iwade Nature Park is that there are mown paths but it is wild for the dogs to have a romp around the trees and stick their head down a rabbit hole!This picture is in Section 3, you can see the playpark at the back - dogs are not allowed in the playpark but it's a great playpark with lots of equipment if you have enough humans to dogs/children. The exit to take you back onto Ferry Road where you started is straight ahead on the solid path.
When you've finished your walk you can head to The Woolpack up the hill on Ferry Road on the left, dog-friendly in the bar and a beer garden or to dog-friendly Mews Brewhouse
Toby pictured at dog-friendly The Woolpack Iwade
The Mews Brewhouse Iwade has a doggy menu, doggy ice cream, water bowls outside and puppacinos
There are also a couple of recreation fields where you may feel more comfortable letting your dogs off. Head up School Lane and you'll find the Herons recreation field at the top on the left. It's enclosed on 3 sides although note it is sometimes used for football especially weekend mornings.
You can also head to Iwade Health Centre on Monins Road and there is a recreation field behind note this is less enclosed.