Acland circular walk
At just over a mile the Acland circular walk is a buggy-friendly walk following surfaced paths through the parkland, garden and chapel grounds. Suitable for little legs, pushchairs, ordinary shoes and anyone who'd like to take a gentle stroll.
Near to
KillertonStart point
Visitor reception, stable block. Grid ref: SS 97622 00091Trail information
Total stages: 12
Total stages: 12
Start point
Visitor reception, stable block. Grid ref: SS 97622 00091
Stage 1
From visitor reception turn right, taking the path towards the house. Pass the children's play area on your right. To your left, on a clear day, you might spot Haldon Woods on the horizon.
Stage 2
Pass the propped-up sweet chestnut tree. Head through the ornate black gates, across the gravel forecourt and go through the wooden garden gate.
Stage 3
Pass by the Admiral's lawn and perennial borders. Follow the path right, so the lawn is on your left. Gardeners used to bring cut flowers for floral arrangements into the middle area of what is now the Killerton Kitchen café.
Stage 4
Follow the path up a short gentle slope between two stone urns. Look left to spot the church tower in the neighbouring village of Broadclyst. Turn off right from the gravel path and walk up the grassy slope towards the thatched wooden hut, known as the Bear's Hut.
The Bear's Hut at Killerton | © National Trust / Malcolm Jarvis Stage 5
From the Bear's Hut, turn right along the path towards the memorial cross.
Stage 6
Keep following the path around the hairpin bend and cross the rustic bridge. The ditch below is a deer park pale, once used to keep a herd of fallow deer out of the garden. Continue ahead but if you don't mind some narrow stone steps, the ice house and the rock garden on your right are worth a look.
The entrance to the ice house at Killerton | © National Trust/Claire Houghton Ward Stage 7
Back on the path continue through the avenue of tall beech trees called the Beech Walk. From here you may just be able to pick out the mouth of the Exe Estuary if it's glittering in the sun about 15 miles away.
Stage 8
Pass below the giant redwood tree. When the path splits take the right hand path and head down the hill. Turn left following the sign for the chapel and exit.
Stage 9
Continue through the dairy gate. Please make sure the gate is closed behind you as there may be livestock grazing the parkland. You'll reach a bench on your left.
Stage 10
Continue until you reach a crossroads in the path and head straight on.
Stage 11
Pass underneath a clump of very old gnarled sweet chestnut trees and go through the wooden gate into the chapel grounds.
Stage 12
Turn left to reach the chapel. From the chapel steps turn left and walk downhill on the gravel path, passing Park Cottage on your left, and go through the wooden gate. (Please be mindful that there may be guests staying in the holiday cottage). Continue downhill to return back to where you started.
End point
Shop and cafe, stable block. Grid ref: SS 97622 00091
Trail map
Route map for the Acland walk at Killerton | © National Trust
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