Woolley Woods to Arlington Court loop
Devon
This circular walk links Woolley Woods and Arlington Court. Starting from either location, follow the historic carriage drive once used by visitors arriving at Arlington by horse and carriage. Along the way, you'll pass through the wilderness, take in views of the Old Lake, and enjoy the surrounding parkland.
Trail information
Difficulty
Full trail
DistanceMiles: 5 (km: 8)Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Woolley Woods EX31 4JZ
Stage 1
Join the footpath to the historic carriage drive and follow through the woods. This carriage drive was the original route to the house at Arlington Court, you can still see the Lodge which was situated next to the entrance to the driveway.
Stage 2
Continue straight on. You’ll see some historic gate posts here. These were introduced by Rosalie Chichester of Arlington Court when she installed an 8ft deer fence around her nature reserve on the estate to protect the wildlife within from the local hunt.
Stage 3
Turn right to continue on the historic carriage drive which heads towards Arlington Court. The directional post is signed Centenary Path. Follow this zig zagging path down until you meet a fork.
Stage 4
At the fork take the track to the right, which will lead you down to the river. Cross the river using Smallacombe Bridge directly opposite and head through the gate into the parklands.
Stage 5
Follow the path up and around until you meet another gate heading into the woods. Pass through the gate and continue straight up the path through the wilderness. Keep following the path straight up until you come out at the pond on the Arlington Estate.
Stage 6
Follow the path past the pond and continue straight until you reach a T-junction. Turn left and continue with the gardens on your right. Follow the path as it passes the house on your left, then continue on to the tea rooms and toilets ahead.
Stage 7
From the tea-room walk down the tarmac road, following the signs to the Old Lake and Wider Estate. At the gates with herons on the top, keep left and follow the track down through Monkey Puzzle Avenue.
Stage 8
Continue along this track, through a gate and past a large information board (on your left). Keep on this track for about 500 metres.
Stage 9
At the junction of two paths take the right and head towards the Old Lake. Just around the corner on the banks of the lake is Miss Chichester's Memorial Urn. Walk alongside the Old Lake, cross the dam (look out for the bridge piers in the distance, part of an unfinished project from the 19th century) and then bear left.
Stage 10
When you are back at Smallacombe Bridge, turn right and head back up the path, heading up the hill that you came down. Continue back up the hill along the zig zag path that you came down.
Stage 11
When you get to the top of the hill, at the junction turn right and follow the way marker to Woolley Woods. This will lead you back along the path to where you started.
End point
Woolley Woods EX31 4JZ
Trail map
Woolley Woods to Arlington Court loop | © Crown copy and database rights 2026 Ordnance Survey
Get in touch
National Trust Woolley Woods, Shirwell, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4JZ