Get in touch with nature: a wellbeing walk at Dunham Massey
You’re invited to immerse yourself in Dunham Massey’s deer park and take a moment to reflect away from the fast-paced world beyond the park walls. A wellbeing walk for the senses, soak in the sights, sounds and smells of nature. The route is circular so you will start and end at the same point.
Wildlife and admission
The route avoids entering the deer sanctuary, this area is off limits to visitors. Normal admissions apply for entry to Dunham Massey, please see website for details.
Total steps: 10
Total steps: 10
Start point
Visitor centre entrance
Step 1
Start your journey today inside the visitor centre. Exit the building using the sliding doors closest to the shop and café terrace. Follow the path leading over the bridge towards the moat, before heading right, through the set of white deer gates that lead into the park. If you require an accessible route, start your journey at the front of the visitor centre, and head left. Go through the small black gate and follow the path directly in front of you, winding around to follow it along the edge of the moat. Go through the set of white deer gates.
Step 2
You have entered the Dunham Massey deer park, created by the 2nd Earl of Warrington to escape the bustle of life - and yet it is full of life and has been for hundreds of years. Follow the path straight ahead of you.
Step 3
Continue straight ahead, following the path along the edge of the water, winding past the mill, heading towards the lion statue in front of you.
Step 4
Carry on following the path straight ahead, past the second lion statue and along Smithy Drive.
Step 5
When you come to the end of the avenue of trees, you will see a path on your right, head in this direction.
Step 6
Continue following the path straight ahead, you may notice sections of the park wall on your left as you travel through this section of the deer park.
Step 7
As you reach the end of this path, you will approach a section where the path you are travelling along crosses over another. Continue straight ahead at this intersection, following the path towards the bench, and along the top edge of the park. Look out for a break in the wall where a fence looks out across a field. At this point you will see a long hard standing path on your right, turn right and follow this path.
Step 8
Continue straight down this path (called Main drive). As you move towards the end of the path you will start to see the house in the distance.
Step 9
At the end of the path, go left, moving back past the lion statue and now passing the mill on your left this time as you head in the same direction you started from.
Step 10
Continue following the path leading back towards the white deer gates, you will pass the ancient oak again on your right. Head through the deer gates and either make a left, following the path towards the visitor centre, or for the accessible route, carry on straight ahead, following the path along the edge of the moat. Look out for a moment to pause, the Rose Fountain could be an ideal spot for this.
End point
Visitor centre entrance. Follow the path over the little bridge back to the visitor centre. For the accessible route, head back towards the little black gate you entered from at the beginning of your journey and finish at the front of the visitor centre.
Trail map
