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Shaw Forest Park

70 ha

📷 Brian Robert Marshall · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome70 ha

Getting here

51.57390, -1.82661

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 🅿️Parking nearby — easy to reach by car

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Bike parkingParking· Free

Best for

10 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Robin, Woodpigeon, Blackbird +75 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Robin, Woodpigeon, Blackbird +75 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Himalayan Balsam, Bristly Oxtongue, Coltsfoot +35 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Himalayan Balsam, Bristly Oxtongue, Coltsfoot +35 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Bumblebee, Buff-tailed Bumblebee, White/Buff-tailed Bumblebee workers +29 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Bumblebee, Buff-tailed Bumblebee, White/Buff-tailed Bumblebee workers +29 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic; Plants — Bristly Oxtongue, Water Mint, Bulrush +4 more foraging species

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby · 14 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
The Roman WayWalking route274.5 km
Named routeLength 274.5 kmRegional walking route
Millennium TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Wroughton Timberland TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
South Swindon Green TrailWalking route
Named route
🚴

Cycling

85 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Mercian WayCycling route
Named routeRef 45National Cycle Network
Route (45)Cycling route

National Cycle Network link route between NCN 45 and Swindon station

Named routeRef (45)Local cycle route
Eastern FlyerCycling route
Named routeRef EFLocal cycle route
Tadpole RoundCycling route9.1 km
Named routeRef TRLength 9.1 kmRound tripLocal cycle route
(45)Cycling route

National Cycle Network link route between NCN 45 and Swindon station

Named routeRef (45)Local cycle route
Haydon RoundCycling route11.8 km
Named routeRef HRLength 11.8 kmRound tripLocal cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Sparcells and Shaw Forest Park, Swindon

📷 Brian Robert Marshall · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Sparcells and Shaw Forest Park, Swindon

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Lydiard ParkUrban park2.6 km→🌱Walled GardenUrban park2.2 km→🏞️LYDIARD PARKCountry park2.7 km→🌱GWR ParkUrban park2.7 km→🌱Town GardensUrban park4.1 km→🌱Shaw Ridge Linear ParkUrban park1.4 km→

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