Dog-friendly Workington

An all-day cafe bar on Steelman's Walk in the middle of Workington, open from nine in the morning until eleven at night and midnight at weekends. The operator's own site lists the site as dog friendly without restricting it to one area, which makes it the most reliable indoor stop in the town for anyone walking a dog. Food runs all day, from breakfast through burgers, mezze bowls and toasties, and there is table service so you are not leaving a dog to queue at a counter.

Up from the little marina at Harrington through the streets to the nature reserve on Moorclose Road, round the two flower meadows, the Ellerbeck and the reservoir that locals call the Rezzer, then back down to the harbour and the sea wall. The reserve path is even and wheel-friendly and takes twenty minutes on its own; joined to the harbour it makes a proper short walk. Kingfishers use the beck and there are toads and dragonflies on the reservoir, which is why the council designates the reserve a dogs-on-lead area. Parking is a layby by the reserve entrance or the harbour itself.

A flat industrial-edge circuit north of Workington that is far better than it sounds: out on the old mineral railway embankment, now a cycle path, past the reedbed and two large ponds of Siddick Ponds SSSI, then west onto the Oldside slag banks and the open shore, and back along the coast. Siddick is one of Cumbria's most important bird sites, which is why the council designates it a dogs-on-lead area, and the reedbed edges are steep and soft. Access is free all year and parking at Dunmail Park is free.

The best green space in Workington and five minutes from the town centre: the wooded upper park around the shell of Workington Hall and its walled garden, then down through Curwen Park and Mill Field to the River Derwent and back along the multi-user path to Navvies Bridge. Paths are made and even, and the river bank gives a dog a safe place to drink. The parkland is grazed by a tenant farmer's sheep which roam loose through the trees, and the site managers ask that dogs are kept from disturbing them or the nesting birds. Cumberland Council designates the land at Workington Hall as a dogs-on-lead area.

Inland from Barepot on the made path that follows the River Derwent east out of Workington, through the woods below Seaton and on past open river meadows to the village of Camerton. Almost dead flat, well drained and shaded for long stretches, with gravel bars and slack water where a strong swimmer can get in safely, though the Derwent runs fast and high after rain. It is a long out-and-back rather than a stroll, so allow the best part of three and a half hours. Navvies Bridge at Barepot is the usual start.

South from the Town Quay along the shore path between the railway and the sea to the harbour at Harrington, on the line of the England Coast Path. It is flat, open and exposed, with shingle and rock below and grassy banks above, and the tide reaches the wall in places at high water so check the tide before you set off. It is the most direct way to get a dog off the streets of Workington and onto open coast. Turn at Harrington harbour and come back, or take the train one stop.