Recently opened near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, Ross & Friends is the UK’s largest enclosed dog park. The safari-style park is cut out from a 1000-acres site designated as an Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty. It’s over 35 acres (15+ football pitches for reference!) for your best four-legged friend to run free and explore, a one-of-a-kind, beautiful place to let your dog safely off lead for exercise, socialisation and training.
Named after Ross, a white german Shepherd who lives at Rossway Park Estate, Ross & Friends is a safe place to exercise, play and train, with the enclosed space featuring open grassland, agility equipment, a pond, walking tracks, hidden doggy toys, doggy shower and water station and more. Access to the safari area is directly from the free car park, making it easy to jump out and go.
Sniffari
The ‘sniffari’ (sniffing safari) is a scent walk where your pup’s nose takes the lead! This way of walking mentally stimulates and enriches your dog as your dog “sees” the world through their nose. Using their sense of smell is incredibly enriching as they’re using a lot of brainpower to sniff through all the information they find, which makes this activity a great option for mental exercise. These adventures in smelling leave dogs more content (and possibly even more tired) than after a walk when they are moving but don’t have the opportunity to take it all in through their nose.
The Sniffari is a private fenced and gated forest (about the size of a football pitch) that allows your dog to use their sense of smell to explore and interact with their surroundings. Normally on a scent walk you’d need to keep your pup on a long leash, but as it’s a private session your dog can be off lead to explore.
The Crate Escape
A Private Forest retreat about the size of a football pitch, fully fenced & filled with adventure for your dog, The Crate Escape includes a private doggy dipping pond, sandpit, enrichments, custom agility equipment & a lounging area for ‘pawrents’.
Up to three dogs may be included in a Ross & Friends session, which costs £11 per hour. The main 30 acres area is a shared space, so other people will be able to book the same time as you, but there is available private hire of a separate 3-acre field and a 2-acre Sniffari within the Safari, and on a case-by-case basis exclusive hire of the whole Safari. Commercial dog-walkers are not allowed. You may book on the website same day, and a gate access code will be sent to you. Dogs may be let off their leads but must be muzzled, vaccinated, collared and microchipped, and kept under supervision.
Book using the app with available via the website.
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat – Sun: 8am – 6pm
Contact
Tel. 07340 913 957
Email: hello@rossandfriends.uk
www.rossandfriends.uk
See also: Celebrating World Bicycle Day with Bikeability
