This is a fascinating open space, as it is really several parks within a park. If you have plenty of time on your hands and an interest in flora it's easy to spend several hours here with one of the useful leaflets from the information centre.

Dogwise though, there are two signed routes to enjoy.

The Wildside Walk (yellow signs) is a 5 mile route around the park. To get to the start point, follow the bridleway from the car park and turn left at the lake. After a short while you will see the Wildside Walk marker and you swing off to the left to follow the signs throughout. On the return leg, remember to turn left on the Bridleway through the woods to get back to the car park.

The shorter option is to take the Bridleway from the car park, through the Octagon Plantation and then turn right on the Public Footpath (red). Carry straight on until you reach the boundary of the wood, and then turn left. You will pass through woodland, continuing straight at the crossroads of paths, and emerge in the Old Park.

Then turn left onto a path shared with the Wildside Walk until you rejoin the Bridleway. Pass the lake on your left as you return to the car park.

Disabled Facilities

This is a very accessible park for the disabled, and dog heaven combined.

There are smooth and level circular routes leading from the left of the Visitor Centre, which are suitable for manual wheelchair, crutch or walking stick users, whilst still retaining the 'feel' of the forest and countryside.

For power chair or mobility scooter users, and  fit wheelchair pushers, there is a wide variety of tracks and grassland to choose from. In fact there are so many tracks it is easy to get lost!  Start with  fully charged batteries, then enjoy the adventure!

There are scooters available from the Visitor Centre. Refreshment and picnic areas,  and the Toilet Building close by has a disabled facility to modern standards.

Information on disabled facilities provided by Mo Aegerter, with grateful thanks.