Days out with a dog and child, Oxfordshire/Bucks border

[PollFlanders]

Any suggestions? I know we have lots of lovely countryside and woodland all around us but sometimes you want to do something a bit different. We have a nearly 4 year old human and one dog. Have just discovered Cuteslowe Park and really like Cotswold Wildlife Park (always amazed that we can take the dog there). Hughenden Manor offers quite good doggy access, but most NT places seem to be car park only (which doesn't count!).

Have you been to Shotover by Headington? It's fabulous there. Hilly, woody and lots of little paths all over the place. You drive past Shotover House on the A40 into Oxford and it's behind that. You can reach it either through Headington or through Wheatley. Here's a map maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=shotover+park+oxford+map&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Shotover,+Headington,+Oxford+OX3+8TD&gl=uk&ei=uVG9Tb68Bcup8APK1LXEBQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQ8gEwAA

I've just had a look at that link and it's crap. Somewhere else entirely. If you google 'shotover park oxford map', you'll find it. Sorry about that!

Thanks, good idea as we'd thought about going there. But it is just the great outdoors and however interesting, fun, healthy and educational that might be we really want some play equipment, animals and other stuff to see too. So wish you could take dogs to Waddesdon.

What about the Look Out Centre in Bracknell. There's a great playground, forest trails, bike hire and a brilliant science bit (though dog wouldn't be allowed in that bit).

Actually not sure that's in the area you're asking but, it is good!

I didn't know you could take dogs in the Cotswold Wildlife Park - might try that in the Summer.

Wadded on Manor is great. I'm not sure whether they accept dogs though. It's a National Trust place.

Just read your second message properly. Shame they don't accept dogs. We love Waddesdon.

Happy to travel reasonable distance, so Bracknell is fine. You can't take your dog everywhere at CWP but you can do most of it, and if you've been before and there are two of you you can share dog duties and not miss out on much. Frankly I'm always so grateful I don't care! Just shows the world doesn't implode if you let a dog in somewhere - and somewhere with lions and leopards for goodness sake (but I do appreciate we are in this position mostly because idiots don't clear up mess).