Page 22 • The HERALD • 23rd April 2026 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v GET READY FOR THE GREATEST PARTY FOR DOGS THIS SUMMER A high-octane party is returning this summer - but this one’s for dogs. Dogstival – the UK’s liveliest, actionedpacked festival for dogs, sponsored by Naturo - is back at Burley Park in the New Forest 30th – 31st May with only one thing in mind: to PARTY. And rst on the line-up of unmissable moments… a beach built purely for dogs! While dogs may be sidelined from many UK beaches from 1st May, Dogstival once again sticks their paws up at the rules with their Dogstival x Shorefield Holidays Pop Up Beach – the UK’s original beach just for dogs. Made with over 15 tonnes of sand, this New Forest beach will host the festival’s legendary giant doggy foam party, complete with palm trees, sun loungers and paddling pools. e 100-piece Rock Choir will provide the party soundtrack with tunes such as Club Tropicana, while pups let loose in the sand. Have-A-Go’s & High Energy Action Dogstival has earned its reputation as pack leader for more dog activities than any other UK festival – and 2026 is no exception. New additions include a third diving and splash pool exclusively for petite pups, stand-up paddleboarding for dogs and a doggy skateboard park in association with Paws on Board. Crowd favourites return too, from yball, agility, lure racing, scent work, scurries and the everpopular Dogstival Barkour Adventure Playground. Don’t Stop the Party – First Dates and Fun Fuel Beyond the big action, Dogstival keeps the party going. Local dog-friendly hotel e Montagu Arms will play cupid with their Lady & The Tramp themed doggy afternoon tea pop-up. Meanwhile, The Muddy Paws Tavern - the UK’s most dog-friendly pub - in collaboration with Dog Owners Guide will be bringing waggy-tailed revellers together for friendship over Barking Bingo, doggy quizzes and fellow breed get togethers. Guests can also sip - or slurp - Pup-Tails at the Pop & Bark Bar (pork-star martini, anyone?) For foodie fun (and fuel), the Naturo Healthy Hound Kitchen invites four-legged gourmets to try their paw at sausage-making and watch doggy ne-dining demos. In a less hands-on fashion, Hampshire and New Forest artisan producers will also o er all manner of tastiness across the festival, along with more than 130 shopping stands catering to every woofer’s want and whim. Art & Hearts A er its successful debut in 2025, Dogstival’s own Pup Art Café returns, this year in association with pet artist Dotts Yard, where it will o er workshops for dogs to emulate Pablo Picasso’s abstract air using peanut butter on canvas or painting with their paws. Recognising the huge pawprint pets imprint on our hearts, Dogstival celebrates every dog who has shaped our lives, past and present with the Ladybug Art Memory Garden. e garden o ers visitors the chance to pause, re ect, and leave their name on the memory wall, so dogs loved and lost are part of the celebration. Party With a Conscience Dogstival continues to build on its eco credentials, having previously recycled over 61% of waste in 2025 and signi cantly reduced its carbon pawprint by around 80% switching to biofuels and solar powering stages. Big energy, smaller pawprint! Dogstival Festival Director Richard Nowell says: “We’ve always made dogs the VIPs, but this year we’re going all out. Imagine an epic music festival - but designed entirely for dogs -that’s what we offer! The beach, the foam party, the action arenas… it’s joyful, it’s bonkers, and it’s completely focussed on dogs. Dogstival really is the greatest party for dogs.” Dogstival 2026 takes place on Saturday 30th May and Sunday 31st May at Burley Park, Burley, BH24 4BS. Tickets; £18 adults, and from £10 for ages 6-16yrs, under 5’s go free. For more visit Dogstival.co.uk Fun at Dogstival Fun at Dogstival Fun at Dogstival Walkers across Hampshire and beyond are being invited to lace up their boots and take part in the much-loved Walk the Test Way, a unique charity walking event organised by the Rotary Club of Romsey Test. Taking place along the beautiful Test Way in Hampshire, the annual event gives participants the chance to enjoy stunning countryside while raising money for a charity of their choice. is year’s walk is taking place on 27th September. With routes ranging from 5 miles to over 25 miles, the event is designed for everyone - from families looking for a scenic day out to seasoned walkers seeking a rewarding challenge. Participants are transported to their chosen starting point and walk back to Romsey, where a warm welcome, refreshments and a medal await. Since its launch in 2003, Walk the Test Way has raised more than £1.3 million for charities across the UK. In recent years alone, tens of thousands of pounds have been distributed annually to causes including health charities, youth organisations, disability support groups and local community initiatives. What makes Walk the Test Way special is its exibility - participants can raise funds for any registered charity close to their heart. Every step taken directly bene ts causes that matter most to the walkers themselves. Beyond fundraising, the event is a celebration of community spirit. Families, schools, businesses and local groups walk side by side, sharing stories, encouragement and a shared sense of achievement as they cross the nish line together. A spokesperson for the organisers said: “Walk the Test Way is about bringing people together to enjoy the Hampshire countryside while making a real difference. Whether you walk five miles or twenty-five, every step helps someone in need.” Registration opens in May, for full details and to register, visit: www.walkthetestway.org.uk Step Into Nature and Make a Difference: Walk the Test Way Returns Carnival Time in Copythorne Copythorne Carnival is taking place on Saturday 6th June, at the Scout HQ on Romsey Road. e event starts at 1pm with fun for all the family, cra stalls, in atables, slides, various food and drinks including a beer tent selling wines, real ales, larger and cider. ere is also an arena packed with various entertainment. e judging for the oats will take place at around 4.15pm, the carnival procession will leave at approximately 5pm to tour the village. Once the parade returns then the evening entertainment starts. e Vintage Rally Day will take place the following day, Sunday 7th June and the Carnival weekend will nish with the Copythorne Carnival Run on Monday 8th June. For full details about the events follow: @CopythorneCarnival on Facebook.
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