Giggle Alley Japanese Garden and Woodland, Eskdale, England

🐶 – Great for dogs in general, but mind older and less mobile dogs, as there are quite a few steps and narrow uneven paths

🚗 – Around 10 free parking spaces right by the entrance to Giggle Alley, and overflow parking 40 yards down the road

🚽 – Public toilets right by the parking space. Really clean facilities, and an option 30p donation jar for using (I really liked the fact that the donation was optional – don’t get me wrong, you should definitely donate where you can, but it’s awful being unable to access toilets when you’re desperate, because you haven’t got any change)

///using.myths.farmer

Every time I pass the sign for Giggle Alley I think “I must stop there one day,” and up until yesterday, I haven’t had the opportunity to stop. The weather was lovely and I had some time, so I finally managed to stop and take myself for a little walk up to the Japanese Garden.

Once I found the gap in the wall leading on to the estate, the path was really easy to follow, with some slate signs pointing you in the right direction. There are a lot of steps, and it’s quite hilly and narrow in places, but it’s not a long walk to the Japanese Garden site. It’s very picturesque, overlooking Eskdale to some of the fells. The garden itself is incredibly peaceful.

There are several paths and bridges, and I can imagine it’s a lot of fun for children running around and playing hide and seek! I continued a little way past the garden, and there are several paths all over the estate, so you can make your walk as long or as short as you like, with varying degrees of steepness.

I’d love to come back here with my poodle, as he would absolutely love exploring the forest! The paths I walked were pretty well enclosed, but do make sure you keep an eye on your dogs at all times, as there is livestock about, and pick up after them.