M4 Junction 16 family break and dog walk, Wiltshire
Photo © Driving with Dogs 
Photo © Driving with Dogs 
Photo © Driving with Dogs 
Photo © Driving with Dogs 
Photo © Driving with Dogs
Description
There's a circular lakeside walk here, giving 40-50 minutes of comfortable walking well away from the more crowded cafe areas. If time permits, the haunted Hall is worth a look.
As Helen says, this is far less dog-friendly than it was - but it's still a good place to stop if you have kids and dogs to keep happy
Details
GPS coords for car park: 51.5598, -1.8555 P&D car park closes at dusk, WC+disabled+RADAR, café, visitor centre, children's playground and exhibitions. Dog poo bins.
Walk
Circular lakeside walk – 40-50 minutes
Go past the visitor centre and café to turn right at the wooden post for the Lakeside Walk. Walk straight ahead with the side of Lydiard House to the left, to follow the rolling grassland gently downhill to the lake. There is a circular path around the lake. Cross the bridge on your left and then turn right into a wooded area. Pass the picnic tables and follow the path round to return to the green via a small footbridge.
There is plenty of space to relax and ramble in this 260 acre park, but note that only guide dogs are allowed in the house and museum.
Helen Rawsthorn
Green 39 Points
lawmary
Green 30 PointsReally pleased with this find.
This was my first visit here. Easy to find from the motorway, just a short trip. The dog got a good run around, it was lovely. I must admit it wasn’t particularly busy so maybe it just felt more freer and open. Goods loos too.
ncammann
Green 105 PointsStill good but not as good as it used to be.
We have used this stop regularly, as it is about half way on our family visits. Large open grounds. A lake side with wooded area. Several public toilets. A cafe. Some areas are now marked as "Dogs on leads".
Nearer the lake is off-lead. The place can get very busy near bank holidays and sunny, summer, Sunday afternoons. Occasionally they host events like concerts. This limits the areas accessible, but has not applied the lakeside and woodland areas.
Lynnusauk
Green 29 PointsSomething for every dog - flat grass, woodland, water that you can swim in and water provided at the human pit stop to drink
Helen Rawsthorn
Green 39 PointsA very dog-friendly place to visit.
Edited: 28th February 2024. The details of this listing may have changed, and though the Driving with Dogs team do our best to confirm the accuracy of every listing, we cannot guarantee that the details are fully up to date and accurate. If you know that any aspect of this listing is incorrect, please suggest an edit to let us know.
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Less dog friendly than it was! July 2016: car parking charges introduced. August 2016: restrictions on areas which dogs can be off lead.