Dinton Pastures Country Park
335 acres of restored gravel-pit lakes, meadows and woodland east of Reading — the local family favourite for walks, birds and paddleboarding.
Lake and reedbed at Dinton Pastures Country Park
What to expect at Dinton Pastures Country Park
Dinton Pastures is a country park created from 1970s gravel workings between Winnersh and Hurst, run by Wokingham Borough Council. Seven lakes (Black Swan, White Swan, Herons Water, Sandford, Tufty and others), meadows, hedged bridleways and 335 acres of managed habitat make this the biggest and most-used piece of open country within easy reach of Reading. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its overwintering waterfowl and is on the migration route for terns and warblers.
The core loop (about 3 miles) circles the two largest lakes on flat gravel paths suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. Two bird hides overlook Black Swan Lake with good views of grebes, cormorants and, in winter, big flocks of pochard and tufted duck. Sandford Lake is used for watersports — a small operator runs paddleboard and kayak hire on weekends (£15 an hour). The Museum of Berkshire Aviation is on the far side of the park and worth an hour on its own, with a Handley Page Herald and Miles aircraft.
Six miles east of central Reading, 25 minutes on foot from Winnersh Triangle station or a straightforward drive. Parking is £4 all day at either the Sandford or Black Swan car parks. Come at any season: April-May for warblers and dawn chorus walks, July-August for the watersports, October for autumn colour, January for wildfowl. The cafe by the visitor centre does decent hot food and a good playground sits behind it. Dogs welcome on leads. This is where Reading families spend Sundays.
Questions about Dinton Pastures Country Park
Free to walk in. Parking £4 daily, £2 after 15:00. Museum of Berkshire Aviation £5 separately.
Entry always free; only parking is charged.
Half a day for a proper walk and cafe stop; longer with watersports or aviation museum.
Park open every day. Museum open Wed and Sat 10:30-16:30 only.
Not for the park. Book paddleboarding and kayak hire ahead in summer.
Winnersh Triangle, 25-min walk or 5-min taxi.
Hotels near Dinton Pastures Country Park
Every hotel we cover in Woodley
- Elmhurst Hotel 3★ · 3/5 · 3.5 km away
- Brackenhurst Guest House 2★ · 3.9 km away
- Lovely Home with full en suite double bed rooms 3★ · 4 km away
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