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.

Near to

Killerton

Start point

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

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)

Duration1 hour to 1 hour 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*This route includes some steep inclines and uneven terrain. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**People with reduced mobility may find stretches of the walk challenging. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs will need to remain on short leads for some areas on this walk. Please be aware that cattle often graze along this route and dogs will need to be kept under close control.

Address
Killerton House, Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon EX5 3LE
Directions via Google Maps
By train
The nearest stations to Killerton are Pinhoe (4½ miles away) and Exeter Central/St David’s (both 7 miles away). From these, continue your journey by taxi or bus.
By bus
Take the no. 1 Stagecoach bus, which runs from Exeter to Tiverton, alighting at Killerton Turn. From here, follow the brown tourism sign to Killerton, crossing the bridge, going through the gate on the left and keeping to the path across the field. The walk should take approximately 15 minutes.
Stagecoach
Cycling
From the Exeter to Cullompton road (B3181), follow the brown tourism sign to Killerton House, crossing the bridge, going through the gate on the left and keeping to the path across the field. Cycle parking is in the main visitor car park.
By road
Take the Exeter to Cullompton road (B3181) and follow the signposts for Killerton.
Dogs
Dogs will need to remain on short leads for some areas on this walk. Please be aware that cattle often graze along this route and dogs will need to be kept under close control.
Car park
Car parking is free for National Trust members. Non-members will need to buy a ticket from the pay and display machine.
Toilet
Toilets are available in the car park.
Shop
The National Trust shop, next to visitor reception, sells a range of gifts, souvenirs and plants.
Tea-room
For refreshments, visit one of Killerton's eateries: the Stables Coffee Shop or the Killerton Kitchen Café (reopening 11 February).
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Visitor reception, Killerton. Grid ref: SS 97622 00091.
Stage 1
From Killerton's visitor reception, walk towards the house. After a short distance, you'll reach a crossroads. Turn left to cross the drive and go through the gate into Front Park. Walk towards the large pond (encircled by the black metal fence).
Killerton is surrounded by ornamental trees | © National Trust Images/Edwins Aerial Photography
Stage 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. When the path forks, take the right hand path. Make you you turn around to enjoy the view of the house and garden.
Stage 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. After the cricket pavilion the path will fork again, take the right fork, keeping the standing deadwood tree on your left.
Stage 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.
The Memorial Cross | © National Trust Images/Clive Nichols
Stage 5
Stop at the bench to enjoy views 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 7
Bear left and continue ahead. For a view north-east towards the Culm Valley, take a short detour to your left uphill before returning to the path and continuing downhill.
Stage 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.
Stage 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 | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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