A Delightful Dog Walk in Stanton Park, Swindon

Stanton Park is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Swindon. With its lush greenery, winding trails, and serene atmosphere, this park offers an idyllic setting for a great dog walk in Wiltshire. The park is a mix of open green space, woodlands, meadows, a lake, and a series of ponds and streams.

Distance	Total Time	Difficulty
8.37 km	02:21	Easy

The park is the holder of a Green Flag award, described as an ‘inspiring and largely unspoiled example of a country park’, and it acquired Nature Reserve status for 36 hectares of the park, including the lake, woodland and grassland.

It has an array of walking trails that cater to all fitness levels, ensuring a memorable experience for you and your dog.

To get to the park, we used “Stanton Country Park SN6 7SF”, as only the postcode will take you beyond the entrance by a mile or so.

Parking facilities are conveniently available at the park’s entrance, making it hassle-free to unload your excited pup and any essentials you may need for your walk. 

Don’t forget to check the post notes at the bottom of the page, with maps, a detailed table about the hike and links to everything mentioned in the post.

The Hike

The gang started the walk at the car park and went towards the buildings where the café and visitor information centre are, crossing a wood gate on the right side of the buildings and turning left once through the gate. There is a green-eyed leopard sculpture just before the gate, which is difficult to miss.

This initial section took us around the lake, but we could only see it in a couple of spots along the way. To the right side, we could see a lovely-looking hotel and grazing sheep which Pequi was very interested in.

The goal was to follow the red trail, but the path isn’t greatly waymarked, and soon we decided just to get lost in the woods, which we literally did. 

Turning to the left at the end of the lake, we got a great view of its size, and the girls were again very interested in the ducks.

As I mentioned above, from there on, we just got lost in the woodlands and meadows, crossing a few footbridges and sometimes even walking in circles, as you will see from the trail map.

This trail offers a variety of terrains for you and your dog to explore. For those seeking a leisurely walk, the wide pathways provide ample space for your pup to sniff around and bask in the scents of nature.

If you and your dog are more adventurous, consider taking one of the narrower trails that lead deeper into the woods. These paths offer a bit more challenge and a true sense of immersion in the natural surroundings. As you traverse the trails, keep an eye out for the wildlife that calls Stanton Park home – from squirrels darting among the trees to the occasional rabbit hopping through the underbrush.

The park is dotted here and there with little sculptures and beautiful views. There are also some benches and picnic tables along the way. We even passed an apiary where you could buy some honey!

It was a good walk and the girls seemed very happy and tired in the end. Definitely a great option for a dog walk in Wiltshire.

Cheers,

Ademar