Dog Friendly Destinations to Visit by Bus

Whether you are here on holiday or you simply fancy a day out in the Wiltshire countryside with your four-legged friend there are plenty of places to not only visit with your dog but also dog-friendly places to eat and drink.

What better than enjoying a long walk along some of our footpaths followed by some warming food in one of our cosy pubs where muddy boots and dogs are very much welcome? You may even find that some of our pubs will offer a special treat for your dog on arrival!

There are plenty of dog-friendly pubs across Wiltshire. Why not enjoy some traditional English fare with your four-legged friend? Relax your weary legs (or paws!) in a beer garden or warm up in front of a roaring log fire after a busy day’s exploring.

Lydiard Park

Number & location of the bus: Town services 1 & 1A, alight at Wilmot Close

Lydiard Park is a beautiful historic estate on the western edge of Swindon, with the Palladian House, Church and Walled Garden, set in 260 acres of parkland. The children's play area, Cafe & Tea Rooms, events and education programmes make Lydiard Park a great destination for a family day out. Dogs are welcomed in the grounds and the park is a lovely destination for a walk, run or bike ride. There are BBQs available to hire in the summer and lots of picnic spots.

Coate Water Country Park

Number & location of Bus: Town services 1 & 1A, alight at Sun Inn on Marlborough Road or Services 13 & 14 alight at Coate Water on Queens Drive. The entrance to the park is off the large Coate Water roundabout.

There are several walks in and around the park, many of which are level and surfaced - making them suitable for wheelchair users. The most popular route is around the lake. This is 1.75 miles (2.8km) long and takes about 45 minutes at a gentle pace. For longer walks out of the park there are routes to Hodson, Chiseldon and Barbury Castle.

Mouldon Hill Country Park

Number & location of bus: Town service 15 (Mondays to Saturdays) – alight at Tawny Owl.

This pretty country park near Swindon has some nice footpaths to follow through the site. In the park, you'll find a pretty lake, the River Ray, a section of the North Wilts Canal and nice views from the high points. You can walk to the park from Swindon along National Cycle Network Route 45. To continue your exercise you could visit the nearby Lydiard Country Park. Here you'll find 260 acres of lawns, woodlands and pasture to walk through. If you head south from the park you will soon come to Shaw Forest Park where footpaths will take you through ash/willow woodlands and scrubland containing juniper and alder.

Old Town

Number & location of bus: Town service 11 (every day) or Town services 12 & 22 (Mondays to Saturdays) – alight at Prospect.

Old Town is in the heart of Swindon, and it's bustling with life. From restaurants and bars, to live music, shops and activities - there's plenty to see and do. You can also have a quiet break in the Town Gardens.

The Three Tuns Freehouse (Great Bedwyn near Marlborough)

Number & location of bus: Rural services 20 and 22 between Marlborough and Hungerford.

They are an award-winning independent Freehouse with an excellent local reputation for the quality of our food and beers.  Run by Chef Proprietor James Wilsey who spent many years cooking in some of the top pubs and bistros in London, so expect full flavour, honest, seasonal cooking.  Their selection of beers are always representative of the local Southwest breweries, and they have a lovely line of small batch gins and other spirits.  Wonderful homemade mulled cider sits on the bar during the winter months at weekends, replaced by fresh muddled fruit soft drinks and cocktails in the summer.  Relaxed, buzzy, village pub atmosphere, only 10 minutes from Marlborough and Hungerford.  Lots of great walks and bike rides around through the ancient Savernake Forest and along the Kennet and Avon canal.

Savernake Forest

Number & location of bus: Rural services 20 and X22 between Marlborough and Hungerford (Mondays to Saturdays).

Savernake is a surviving remnant of one of Wiltshire's ancient 'Royal Forests' much beloved by Norman kings. Today the forest is leased to the Forestry Commission and access is via many paths and tracks. It remains a place of mystery and imagination and an important habitat for a number of wild birds, plants and animals.

Kennet and Avon Canal

Number & location of bus: Rural services 20 and 22 to Great Bedwyn between Marlborough and Hungerford (Mondays to Saturdays).

The Kennet & Avon Canal, at 87 miles long, links London with the Bristol Channel, and passes through some spectacular landscapes including Wiltshire and the rolling Cotswolds. Looking for the perfect place to picnic, relax, think, run and walk your dog, all for free? This is the place to be.

Marlborough

Number & location of bus: by Salisbury Reds X5 & Swindon Bus rural services 48, 48A from Swindon: rural services 20, 22 & X22 from Hungerford; rural service 42 from Calne (all Mondays to Saturdays)

There's plenty of accommodation, excellent shopping and a wide choice of places to eat and things to do, making the town an ideal destination for a long or short break at any time of the year. On Saturdays and Wednesdays, the High Street hosts a market selling all kinds of stuff from locally produced meat and vegetables, to pots, plants, pashminas, and pottery.

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