Bedfont Lakes Country Park Circular
London
Bedfont Lakes Country Park covers 72.5 hectares of former farmland that was quarried for gravel from the 1860s and later used as landfill until 1973, before being restored and given nature reserve status in 2000; its lakes are fished, so dogs stay on a lead or close by along the water's edge. This circular walk of around 3km links the park's lakes, wetland, wildflower meadow and young woodland on flat, well-surfaced paths, passing the Millennium Monolith, a stone marker on a low rise that shows distances to landmarks around the world. The site now supports over 350 plant species and 156 recorded bird species, and the varied habitat makes it feel far removed from its industrial past and its position under the Heathrow flight path.
This is a dog friendly park with designated dog walking areas and enough open grassland and woodland edge for a good stretch of the legs, though it is not a place to let dogs roam entirely freely. The lakes are used for fishing, so dogs should be kept on lead or close by along the lake edges to avoid disturbing anglers' lines, and the reserve's wetland and meadow habitats support ground-feeding and nesting birds that benefit from dogs being kept under control away from the water. There is no livestock on site. Car parks are available on Clockhouse Lane and Bedfont Road, though there is no cafe within the park itself, so bring water for a longer visit.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.0 km (1.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 50 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- No cafe on site; nearest cafes are in Bedfont village.
- Parking
- Car parks on Clockhouse Lane or Bedfont Road.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bedfont Lakes Country Park Circular dog friendly?
Bedfont Lakes Country Park is a dog-friendly site with designated dog walking areas, open grassland and woodland edge that give dogs a solid stretch of the legs — it earns a 7/10 on our dog-friendly rating. The 3km circular route is flat and well-surfaced, making it an easy and enjoyable outing for most dogs and their owners.
Can dogs be off lead at Bedfont Lakes Country Park Circular?
Dogs can have some freedom in the open grassland and woodland areas, but this isn't a place for entirely off-lead roaming. Along the lake edges, dogs should be kept on lead or close by to avoid disturbing anglers' lines, and they should also be kept under control near the wetland and meadow habitats, which support ground-feeding and nesting birds. There is no livestock on site, which is one less thing to worry about.
What should I know before visiting Bedfont Lakes Country Park Circular with my dog?
There is no café within the park itself, so bring water for your dog, especially on warmer days. Parking is available on Clockhouse Lane or Bedfont Road, and the nearest cafés are in Bedfont village if you fancy a post-walk stop. The park sits under the Heathrow flight path, so if your dog is noise-sensitive, it's worth bearing that in mind.
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