Ashton Court Estate Deer Park Circular
Somerset
Ashton Court is an 850 acre estate on the edge of Bristol, owned by the Bankes and later Smyth family for centuries before Bristol City Council bought it in 1959, and most of its open parkland lets a dog off the lead away from the fenced deer enclosures. Its deer park is one of the oldest in the country, with a herd of over 200 red and fallow deer kept in fenced enclosures across the grounds. This 4.5km circuit from the main car park near the mansion crosses open parkland, drops through woodland trails and skirts the golf course, taking in views over the Avon Gorge and Bristol before returning past the Courtyard cafe. The going is flat to gently rolling, on a mix of tarmac paths and grass, with around 90 metres of climbing over the full loop.
This is a dog friendly walk with plenty of room to run, since most of the open parkland allows dogs off lead away from the golf course and the fenced deer enclosures. Several shallow pools around the estate give dogs a chance to cool off on warm days. Keep dogs on a lead near the deer fencing and on the golf course, where a dog chasing wildlife or crossing a fairway can cause real problems. There is no livestock outside the enclosed deer herd. The Courtyard cafe by the mansion is dog friendly and puts out water bowls, and toilets are close by.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.5 km (2.8 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 25 min
- Walk Type
- Park, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Courtyard cafe (dog friendly, water bowls) near the mansion; toilets nearby.
- Parking
- Ashton Court car park (Mansion House), off Kennel Lodge Road, paid, free before 9am.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Ashton Court Estate Deer Park Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in SomersetFrequently Asked Questions
Is Ashton Court Estate Deer Park Circular dog friendly?
Yes, Ashton Court scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's a great choice for a day out with your dog. The vast open parkland gives dogs plenty of room to roam, and the Courtyard cafe by the mansion welcomes dogs and puts out water bowls.
Can dogs be off lead at Ashton Court Estate Deer Park Circular?
Most of the open parkland allows dogs off lead, which across an 850 acre estate means a serious amount of freedom. The exceptions are near the fenced deer enclosures and the golf course, where you'll need to keep your dog on the lead.
What should I know before visiting Ashton Court Estate Deer Park Circular with my dog?
The key thing to be aware of is the deer park — the estate has a herd of over 200 red and fallow deer in fenced enclosures, and dogs must be kept on a lead near the fencing. Dogs should also be on a lead on the golf course, which the 4.5km route skirts. On a practical note, there are several shallow pools around the estate where dogs can cool off, parking is available at the Mansion House car park off Kennel Lodge Road (free before 9am), and toilets are close to the cafe.
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Ashton Court Car Park, Kennel Lodge Road, Long Ashton, Bristol BS41 9JN
51.4449, -2.6366
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