Dinton Pastures Lakes Circular
Berkshire
Dinton Pastures is a 350-acre Wokingham Borough Council country park built around a series of former gravel pits, now seven lakes linked by paths beside the Loddon and Emm Brook rivers, with reedy margins that attract a good range of waterbirds through the seasons. This 4.8km circular walk links the main lakes on level, well-surfaced paths easy on dogs of any age, passing three public bird hides and open meadow areas, and takes around 90 minutes at an easy pace. The park is open all year, with the paths largely usable in all weather, and boat hire, watersports and an orienteering course add extra activity for visitors who want more than a walk.
This is a dog friendly park with set dog routes and clearly marked dog-free areas, so a lead is worth keeping to hand while you get your bearings on a first visit. There is no grazing livestock, and the lakes give a dog plenty of safe places to drink or paddle, though swimming should be kept away from the fishing areas and bird hides. Shade comes and goes depending on which side of the lakes you follow. A self-serve dog wash is available on site, a genuinely useful extra after a muddy circuit, along with dog waste bins throughout. The countryside centre cafe serves food and drink daily and has outdoor seating, and toilets are on site by the main car park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.8 km (3.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 35 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, Park, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Countryside centre cafe (daily), toilets, self-serve dog wash, three bird hides.
- Parking
- Dinton Pastures main car park, Davis Street, Hurst; pay and display.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Dinton Pastures Lakes Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Riverside Cottage - Winchester
Sleeps 8 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £2,570 / 7 nights
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dinton Pastures Lakes Circular dog friendly?
Yes, Dinton Pastures is a dog friendly country park with a rating of 8 out of 10, and the circular walk is well suited to dogs of all ages thanks to its flat, well-surfaced paths. The park has dedicated dog routes, dog waste bins throughout, and a self-serve dog wash on site — a handy touch after a muddy circuit around the lakes.
Can dogs be off lead at Dinton Pastures Lakes Circular?
The park has set dog routes alongside clearly marked dog-free areas, so it's worth keeping a lead to hand, especially on a first visit while you get your bearings. There is no grazing livestock on the route, which is a plus, but you'll want to read the signage as you go to know where off-lead time is appropriate.
What should I know before visiting Dinton Pastures Lakes Circular with my dog?
The seven lakes offer plenty of spots for dogs to drink or paddle, though it's best to keep them away from the fishing areas and bird hides. Shade varies depending on which side of the lakes you walk, so on warmer days it's worth planning accordingly — and the countryside centre café with outdoor seating is a good spot to stop for a break once you've completed the 4.8km circuit.
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Dinton Pastures Country Park Car Park, Davis Street, Hurst, Reading RG10 0TH
51.4421, -0.8685
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