Devon

Front Park and The Clump walk at Killerton

While visiting Killerton, enjoy a circular walk across Front Park and up Dolbury Hill, known locally as The Clump. An extinct volcano, it's said to be home to a friendly dragon. At the top, you'll find an Iron Age hillfort and spectacular views across the Exe Valley.

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Total steps: 9

Start point

Visitor reception, Killerton. Grid ref: SS 97622 00091.

Step 1

From Killerton's visitor reception, cross the drive and walk towards the house. After a short distance, you'll see a farm gate on the left – head through this to enter Front Park. Walk towards the large pond.

Aerial view of the Killerton estate, Devon — Killerton is surrounded by ornamental trees | © National Trust Images/Edwins Aerial Photography

Step 2

Bear right to follow the remains of an old Roman coach road that appears as a dip in the ground. Head straight across Front Park, keeping the cricket pitch on your right, and enjoy the view of the house and garden.

Step 3

Turn right to pass the cricket pavilion, which has a signpost pointing towards Bluebell Gate. The pavilion was built in 2014 to replace an older one in bad repair. Larch was sourced from, and milled on, the estate to provide the timber frame and cladding, while the roof features around 9,000 roof shingles made from western red cedar.

Step 4

Keep straight ahead, leaving Front Park through a kissing gate to the left. Turn right, following the sign to Bluebell Gate, and climb up the hill. Look out for birds and butterflies in the hawthorn hedgerow.

Memorial for St Thomas Dyke Acland, Killerton, Devon — The Memorial Cross | © National Trust Images/Clive Nichols

Step 5

Stop at the bench to enjoy views down the River Culm and across the Exe Valley. Then go through Bluebell Gate on your right and head through the next kissing gate, also on your right. This is a beautiful place to see bluebells in the spring. Follow the path as it bends up to the left towards another bench.

Step 6

Take the right fork in the path to join the main track, and continue up to Dolbury Hill.

Dolbury Hill

Dolbury Hill, also known as The Clump, is brimming with folklore. According to legend, a friendly dragon was born out of the flames of this volcano, and lives here to keep watch over the people who reside on the Killerton estate. Lava rock from the extinct volcano features in many of the buildings on the estate, and during the Second World War the rock was also used for building runways at Exeter Airport.

Step 7

Stick to the path you're on and continue ahead. For a view north-east towards the Culm Valley, take a short detour to your left before returning to the path.

Step 8

Bear right on a path that leads to some wooden steps. Go down the steps and you'll reach a kissing gate above the Deer Park. Go through the gate.

Step 9

Bear right towards a black metal gate, and go through it. To return to where the walk started, follow the signs to the Stables Coffee Shop. Alternatively, turn left after the gate for a short detour past the chapel grounds.

End point

Visitor reception, Killerton. Grid ref: SS 97622 00091

Trail map

Map of Front Park and The Clump walk, Killerton, Devon.jpg — Map of Front Park and The Clump walk, Killerton | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon, EX5 3LE

01392881345

killerton@nationaltrust.org.uk

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