Park safety and restrictions

We welcome dogs and responsible owners in our parks.

To protect wildlife and ensure everyone enjoys their visit, dogs are restricted in the following areas:

• livestock areas – it’s illegal for dogs to chase or disturb livestock
• special habitat areas including
  • sites of special scientific interest and local nature reserve
  • areas which are fenced, such as our heathland at Black Park - keep dogs away to avoid disturbing protected wildlife
• play areas
• Foxley Copse dog-free picnic area at Black Park

Waste must be bagged and binned in park bins. Do not leave bags on paths or hang them on trees. This is littering and harms the environment, and also increases the cost of running our Country Parks.

It is a legal requirement for dogs to wear a collar with your name and address and be microchipped.

If your dog is lost, or if you have found a dog in our country parks, call the Dog Warden on 03444 828320.

Our Country Park Byelaws set out our standards of behaviour for dogs and their owners.

If you believe a dog to be dangerously out of control in any of our country parks, you must report any incidents you witness directly to directly to Thames Valley Police on 101, or 999 if an incident is taking place.

Caterpillars of the oak processionary moth (OPM) are a pest which can be a hazard to the health of oak trees, people and animals. Caterpillars of the oak processionary moth are present on oak trees across all of our country parks.

Government advice is to keep away from caterpillars and nests and to teach your children and pets not to touch caterpillars or nests.

If you come into contact with caterpillars, or you have an allergic reaction, you should see a pharmacist or call NHS 111 for advice.

You can find out more about OPM in this leaflet Oak Processionary Moth Information leaflet

Fires and barbecues are not permitted at any of the country parks due to the risk of wildfires.

Flying model aircraft and drones are not permitted in Buckinghamshire Country Parks under park byelaws. This helps keep visitors safe and follows UK Civil Aviation rules, as the parks fall within a designated no-fly zone.

Film crews may be granted special permission by Buckinghamshire Council but must meet stricter Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requirements. To request permission, contact us by email [email protected].

Camping is not permitted within any of the Country Parks due to the presence of sensitive habitats and wildlife.

All organised events in our parks must operate under a licence to ensure the safety of our visitors and staff.

If you're looking to hold an event at any of our Country Parks, email us [email protected] or call on 01753 511060.

Metal detecting is not permitted in any of the Country Parks for conservation and safety reasons. Any disturbance to the ground, even if very minor, can have a detrimental effect to some wildlife habitats.

Swimming is not permitted at any of the Country Park’s lakes or rivers.

Blue green algae is present in Black Park Lake.

Visitors are requested to comply with the park byelaws by not entering the water.

Well-behaved horses and riders are welcome in all our parks. Stick to public bridleways and keep any accompanying dogs under close control.

For safety reasons, horse boxes are not allowed in our car parks. There is also no access to public bridleways from our car parks.

Considerate cyclists are welcome in all our parks.

Follow the signage, as some areas are no cycling zones and always remember that pedestrians have priority.

Bikes can be hired from Go Ape in Black Park. A Sustrans cycle trail goes through Langley Park.

Be aware that height restrictions are in place at the entrances to our car parks at Denham and Langley Parks.

All Country Park's car park entrances have vehicle height restriction of 2 metres in place.

Our private events space hire across the country parks is paused whilst we review our event space hire offering.

Model boats are permitted on Black Park Lake within the designated model boat area only. Petrol-powered boats and fast electric models are not permitted on the lake. Blue green algae is present in Black Park Lake.

Model boats are not permitted at Langley Park, Thorney or Denham Country Parks.

If you’ve lost something:

• retrace your steps in the park
• check if its been handed in at
  • Black Park
    • Go Ape
    • the Café
  • Langley Park
    • The Tea Room

If the item is of high value or you’ve found something, follow the guidance on Thames Valley Police website.

The Country Parks are covered under byelaws with a maximum fine of £500.

You can find the Country Parks byelaws on our website and on the reverse of all our noticeboards.

You can also request a copy of the byelaws by:

• email [email protected]
• phone 01753 511060