Dinton Park walk
Dinton, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP3 5HHRoute details and mapDownload as a print friendly PDF
Explore a tranquil, historic parkland on this gentle walk secluded within the Nadder Valley. You’ll uncover a grand neo-Classical house, an ornamental lake and plenty of wildlife. Listen out for woodpeckers in the woodland and admire spectacular views across the Wiltshire countryside towards the cathedral city of Salisbury.
- Bus stop
Start: National Trust car park, grid ref: SU004319
Follow the path through the trees from the car park and go through a gate into the parkland.
At the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, Dinton was called Domnitone. It belonged to a wealthy Benedictine Nunnery at Shaftesbury. Fragments of 12th and 15th-century pottery, along with traces of medieval earthworks, have since been discovered here. When Wyndham bought the park, it was probably split into several fields divided by hedges. It was not until the 18th century that the hedges were removed to create an open parkland for the Wyndhams.
Continue along the path in the direction you enter the park, past the Hydes House boundary fence (not open to the public). Enter the small area of woodland to your right.
The path will lead to a gate close to the driveway to Philipps House. Go through the gate and turn left. Follow the drive which curves to the right passing the side of the house and a group of coastal redwood trees.
The Wyndham family came to Dinton in the 17th century, buying the house and park here in 1689 for £2,235. William Wyndham, a leading late Georgian politician, replaced the original house with a far grander and more fashionable neo-classical house in 1817, a clear statement of his status. The house you see today survives, little altered.
Continue along the back drive, away from the house. After the cattle grid climb the steps on your left up into the wood.
At the top of the steps follow the path along the woodland edge and enjoy the large sweet chestnut trees.
Pass through the gate into the park. On a clear day there are far reaching views to Salisbury Cathedral.
Make your way through the park, towards the lake. Walk round the lake, through a gate and back to the car park.
The lake was created at the beginning of the 19th century but fell into ruin and was only restored to its former splendour in 1995. A Second World War US Army Air Force helmet was dredged from the silt, serving as a reminder of their occupation of Dinton Park in 1943.
End: National Trust car park, grid ref: SU004319
- Trail: Walking
- Grade: Easy
- Distance: 2 mile(3.2km)
- Time: 50 minutes
- OS Map: Explorer 130; Landranger 184
The walk takes you along uneven grassland with some slopes, steps, gates and stiles. The path around the lake is natural but uneven. Benches are located at various points on the walk. Dogs welcome in park only.
- How to get here:
By bus: Wilts & Dorset 25, Salisbury (close to railway station) to Bourton, Monday to Saturday
By car: On edge of Dinton village, 9 miles (14.4km) west of Salisbury, 5 miles (8km) north of Tisbury. On north side of B3089, turn on-to St Mary’s Road at crossroads in Dinton.
- Telephone: 01672 538014
- Email: firstname.lastname@example.org
- Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dinton-park-and-philipps-house/