DELAMERE Forest near Chester has been crowned the UK’s most picturesque spot for dog walking in winter.

Instagram hashtag data has revealed the most beautiful spots among the UK’s top dog-walking trails.

Delamere Forest came first with 13,879 photos per mile.

The North West's top dog walking hotspot has 62 per cent more Instagram posts per mile than the UK’s second most-snapped location, West Wittering beach in Chichester (8,591 posts per mile), and nearly double that of the third-placed Hardcastle Crags in West Yorkshire (7,274 posts per mile).

The team at YuMOVE have analysed more than 265,000 Instagram hashtags from the UK’s favourite dog-walking trails to highlight the most photographed spots.

The data reveals that places right across the UK have made it into the top 20, with notable inclusions including Ninesprings Country Park in Somerset, Cobtree Manor Park in Kent and Holcombe Hill in Cumbria.

Some 14 of the top 20 walks are in forests, where you can also get a glimpse of wild animals, and find complete peace and quiet for self-reflection.

Beaches are another popular choice for dog walking, with picturesque Instagram favourites including Holkham Beach in Norfolk and Fraisthorpe Beach in Yorkshire.