Your independent vets in North Swindon
Your local Drove Vets
North Swindon is well within reach of two Drove locations – our Abbey Meads branch on Elstree Way is just a short drive away, and our Swindon hospital on Croft Road is only a few minutes further.
We’re a proudly independent practice, and have been throughout our history – with roots going back as far as 1839. We like to say we’re big enough to handle anything unexpected and small enough to know you and your family by name. That’s not just a saying – it shapes everything we do, from the way our team greets you to the investment we make in our facilities, including our on-site CT scanner.
If you’re looking for a vet near North Swindon, we’d love to welcome you. As well as our Abbey Meads branch, we have our hospital and further branches across Swindon and the surrounding area, and our Drove Vets 24/7 service means there’s always a familiar face from our team available when you need us most – day or night.
You can find out more about everything we offer below.
Dog walking spots in Wroughton
Dog walking spots in Haydon Wick
Mouldon Hill Country Park
This is the go-to walk for local dog owners and it’s easy to see why. The park sits just off Thamesdown Drive opposite the Taw Hill junction, with free parking at the entrance. The circular route takes in open grassland, the gently rolling hill that gives the park its name, and a central lake popular with anglers and waterfowl alike, with the hill itself peaking at around 105 metres and offering some surprisingly good views across north Swindon.
The trail is largely level and easy underfoot, making it a good choice for dogs of any age or fitness. Much of the open ground is suitable for off-lead running, but keep dogs under close control near the lake, where the Mouldon Hill Angling Club manages fishing rights year-round. Wildflower meadows within the park, enhanced as part of Swindon’s Forest Meadows project, add real seasonal interest, particularly in late spring and early summer when the grassland comes into its own.
Goodearl dog park
For North Swindon dog owners with a dog who needs a safe, enclosed space to stretch their legs, whether that’s a rescue still building confidence or a puppy working on recall. Goodearl Dog Park is an amazing addition to the parish. Opened following a petition signed by over 130 local residents and voted the top priority through Haydon Wick Parish Council’s Community Choices scheme, it’s a community-built space in the truest sense.
The park sits at Goodearl Field between Chatsworth Road and Old Blunsdon Road, behind the Goodearl Leisure Garden site. It’s fully enclosed with a secure double-gated entrance, with dog waste facilities on site and regular maintenance from the council’s open spaces team. It’s already become a social spot for local dog owners, a place where dogs can run freely and owners get to know their neighbours.
Dog friendly activities in Haydon Wick
Seven Fields Nature Reserve
Tucked between Haydon Wick and Penhill, Seven Fields is one of those places that genuinely surprises people the first time they find it. A hundred acres of ancient wildflower meadows, hedgerows, woodland and stream, completely surrounded by the town, yet feeling a world away from it.
Dogs are welcome throughout and it’s a firm favourite with local walkers across all seasons. Mid-summer brings the wildflower meadows to peak colour, while Penhill Copse provides shade and shelter when the fields are at their warmest. Haydon Brook runs through the reserve on its way to the River Ray. A good entrance for drivers is near the Manor Farm pub beside the Orbital Shopping Park. Street parking available nearby.
The Fox & Hounds
Sitting on the High Street at the heart of old Haydon Wick village, the Fox & Hounds is a great local pub. First opened as a beerhouse around 1840, just as the GWR came to Swindon, it’s now part of Arkell’s Brewery estate, Swindon’s own independent family brewery.
Dogs are welcome in both the bar and restaurant, making it a proper post-walk destination rather than just a quick drink on the way past. There’s a garden terrace for warmer months, Arkell’s cask ales on tap, good pub food and a Sunday lunch that draws a loyal crowd from across the parish. It’s the natural finishing point after a morning on Mouldon Hill or an afternoon at Seven Fields and the kind of place that makes Haydon Wick feel like a community.
Dog friendly events in Haydon Wick
Companion Dog Show & Fun Day
The companion dog show and fun day is held on the King George V Playing Field, tucked behind the Fox & Hounds in the heart of old Haydon Wick village. This annual Kennel Club-licensed show, runs in association with Janet’s Puppy Skool. The day features both pedigree and novelty classes alongside a training demonstration, with craft stands, a tombola, food and drink, and family activities running throughout.
Held each summer, it’s one of the most well-attended fixtures on the Haydon Wick calendar, drawing dog owners from across the parish and beyond. Registration details are published through local community groups and the Parish Council ahead of each event.
Your local, independent vet
Registering with Drove is simple. From transparent pricing to our Lifetime Care Club, everything we do is designed around you and your pets – cared for by a team who are big enough to handle anything and small enough to know you by name.