Skip to content
Visitors walking in the parkland in summer at Dyrham Park, South Gloucestershire
Visitors walking in the parkland in summer at Dyrham Park, South Gloucestershire | © National Trust Images/James Dobson
Bath & Bristol

Journey of Discovery trail

Please check with Visitor Reception for any recent route changes on arrival. Enjoy a ramble through the past on this family-friendly trail through Dyrham's parkland. This is a landscape that's steeped in history and each waypoint of this walk reveals a different clue from days gone by. For younger walkers, there are carved wooden animals to spot along the way, before the walk finishes at Old Lodge.

Total steps: 9

Total steps: 9

Start point

Visitor reception, Dyrham Park SN14 8HY. Grid ref: ST749758

Step 1

After walking through visitor reception, follow the main path a short distance to the tree stump carved with a compass. The compass is based on those pictured on William Blathwayt's maps. Follow the arrow pointing in the direction of Journey of Discovery trail, turning left into the entrance of the first lime tree avenue.

Step 2

Enter the lime tree avenue and follow its path. After walking about 350 metres, bear right alongside the fence. Ahead are views of the Severn valley and Welsh hills; behind you and to your right are the remnants of the ancient ridge and furrow landscape of Dyrham.

Step 3

Carry on walking downhill, keeping to the path alongside the fence for about 450 metres. Continue on as the fence changes to become a dry-stone wall. To your left is Dyrham’s environmentally friendly central heating plant.

Step 4

At the bottom of the hill, follow the curve of the path around to the right for another 450 metres, walk through hollow ways to the cattle grid on to the driveway in front of the house.

Step 5

At this point, you can either go through the gate by the cattle grid to visit the house and West Garden, or have some well-earned refreshments from the kiosk or tea-room. If you'd like to continue you on, cross the driveway and pick up the grassy path leading to the valley to your right.

Step 6

With the house behind you and the driveway on your right, head diagonally across the grass, walking between the hill on your left and Neptune Hill to your right.

A statue of Neptune on a grassy hill with a blue sky background, Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire
Neptune's Hill, Dyrham Park | © National Trust Images / Sarah Fox

Step 7

Follow the path as it curves round between the two hills, and head towards the stone buildings that come into view. Note that the final part of this track still shows traces of its medieval origins.

Step 8

At the top of the hill turn left towards Old Lodge.

Step 9

You've reached your destination. You should now see Old Lodge on your left. Stop here for refreshments from the café or ice cream kiosk, or carry on exploring the parkland.

End point

Old Lodge, Dyrham Park. Grid ref: ST749758

Trail map

Route map for the Journey of Discovery walk at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire
Journey of Discovery walking trail map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

A sweeping autumn view between trees down grassy parkland to the east front of the house at Dyrham Park
Trail
Trail

The Prospect Walk at Dyrham Park 

The Prospect Walk at Dyrham Park guides you to the best points around the parkland to enjoy views across the Cotswold hills and the Bristol Channel.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)
Visitors walking in parkland in November at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire
Trail
Trail

The terraces walk at Dyrham Park 

Stroll through open parkland and explore tranquil woodland on the circular terraces walk at Dyrham Park.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.5 (km: 4)

Get in touch

Dyrham, near Bath, South Gloucestershire, SN14 8HY

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

Italianate double staircase on the west front at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire
Article
Article

Things to see and do in the house at Dyrham Park 

The main phases of conservation and decorative work in the house at Dyrham Park are now complete and you can explore beautifully presented rooms, delve into the house's history and discover what it was like to live in the 17th century.

Walkers climbing rocks against a bright blue sky with the mountains in the distance at Sugarloaf, Monmouthshire

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

Access for all at Dyrham Park: hearing dog for deaf people.
Article
Article

Visiting Dyrham Park with your dog 

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout Dyrham Park but we do not allow other dogs on site.

A visitor in the cafe at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire
Article
Article

Eating and shopping at Dyrham Park 

After exploring the house and garden, refuel with a tasty treat from the tea-room, café at Old Lodge or tea garden kiosk. Whether sweet or savoury, there's bound to be something to tempt you. Afterwards, take home a gift from the shop, where there's a wide range of products, from locally made chutneys to fun family books.

A group of people in a hiking group are being guided on a hike by rangers at Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

View of the grass at Bathwick Fields with Bath city centre beyond, bright blue skies.

Walking in Bath and Bristol 

From peaceful strolls through woodland at Leigh Woods to rambles through a historic estate at Tyntesfield, these are some of the best walks in Bath and Bristol.