Devon

Danes Wood walk

Man and woman walking along winding woodland path with abundant green foliage to either side — Walkers on the Killerton estate, Devon | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

This enchanting circular walk starts at Killerton House and wends it way through the estate to Danes Wood before looping back again. This is a great trail for spotting wildlife, as the woodlands here are home to flourishing populations of songbirds and butterflies.

Near to

Killerton

Start point

Stable-block, grid ref: SS975001

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2.5 (km: 4)

Duration1 hour 15 mins

Dog friendly***

*Easy terrain with some moderate slopes. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Uneven terrain; some steps from car park. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs welcome. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Entry to Killerton

Please note that normal admission charges apply at the main site; National Trust members free.

Address
Killerton, Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon, EX5 3LE
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Nearest stations are Exeter Central and Exeter St David’s both 7 miles, Pinhoe, 4 ½ miles. From these, onwards by bus.
By bus
By bus: Stagecoach 1, Exeter to Tiverton. More information at www.stagecoach.com From the bus stop, follow the brown tourism sign, cross the bridge, through gate on left signed to Killerton House, keeping to the hard standing path across the field. Approximately 15 minutes’ walk from the bus stop.
For further details, visit the Stagecoach website
Cycling
From Exeter to Cullompton road (B3181), follow the brown tourism sign, cross the bridge, through gate on left signed to Killerton House, keeping to the hard standing path across the field. Cycle parking is located in the main visitor car park.
By road
Take the Exeter to Cullompton road (B3181) and follow the signposts for Killerton.
Rough terrain with some stepped access.
Killerton access statement
Designated parking
There are 10 designated spaces for disabled visitors.
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilets can be found at the car park, house and Dairy Café.
Steps/uneven terrain
Woodland paths are uneven, and can be muddy in wet weather; some steps leading from the car park.
Powered mobility vehicle
Mobility Tramper hire available for use in parkland or garden (operated in partnership with Countryside Mobility Scheme). Call Killerton on 01392 881345 to book.
Total stages: 12
Total stages: 12
Start point
Stable-block, grid ref: SS975001
Stage 1
From the front of the stable block at visitor reception, turn right onto the drive and follow it past the front of Killerton House, through the farm gate, keeping parallel to the garden wall. Head straight on to the gate in the far hedge.
Stage 2
Going through the gate, turn left onto the track and follow it down the edge of Cross Park, to where another track runs away from it to your right.
Stage 3
Don't take this track to the right, but carry straight on to the road.
Stage 4
Cross the road and go through the gap opposite to pick up the footpath which runs alongside the hedge, around the edge of the field, and then runs into Broadley Coppice.
Stage 5
At the fork in Broadley Coppice, take the right-hand path and follow it through the trees and back onto the road.
Stage 6
Cross the road diagonally and head left through the gap into the bottom of Danes Wood, at the fork head left and follow the path up through the woods, take a left at the next fork and follow the path down the steps into the car park.
Stage 7
Take the ramp opposite and circle round the edge of Danes Wood on the track. At the next fork, take the left path then, a short while later, turn left again at the next fork, following the path around the boundary of the wood.
Stage 8
At the next junction of paths, take the left fork if you wish to follow the boundary right the way round the wood.
Stage 9
When you reach the gap at the bottom of Danes Wood, that you came through earlier, retrace your steps back into Broadley Coppice.
Stage 10
Going through the gate, follow the path back through the copse, turning left in the trees and then skirting the cottage to return along the hedge to the gate opposite the track you came down on.
Stage 11
At the end of the track, turn right and head along the road until you meet a kissing gate on your left. Head through the kissing gate into Front Park and follow the path along the edge of the fence and round the corner to the left, until you reach a set of wooden gates.
Stage 12
Head through the gate to reach the stable block, back at the start of the walk.
End point
Stable-block, grid ref: SS975001
Trail map
Danes Wood Walk, Killerton | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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