v THE HERALD - INDEPENDENT AND PROUD OF IT v 2nd April 2026 • The HERALD • Page 61 ANIMAL MAGIC SELF SERVICE DOG WASH Open 7 days a week 189 Long Lane, SO45 2PA Forestsidegrooming.co.uk Victoria: 07503 813594 Daniel: 07584 534818 GET READY FOR THE GREATEST PARTY FOR DOGS THIS SUMMER Lepe Country Park is delighted to present the annual Bark on the Beach dog show on Saturday 13th June, 10am–3pm. Now in its third year, the event brings together a fantastic selection of dog themed stall holders and features the much loved ‘Scru s’ competition. For more information or to get involved, please visit: www.hants. gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/ lepe/whats-on or email: lepe. enquiries@hants.gov.uk 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 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 Bark On The Beach artist Dotts Yard, where it will o er workshops for dogs 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. Fun at Dogstival Fun at Dogstival
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