The Parkland walk at Montacute

Somerset

Grazing sheep on a lawn stretching between two rows of lime trees — Grazing sheep in the Lime Avenue at Montacute House, Somerset | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Enjoy a circle route around Montacute House's parkland that takes in the impressive view of the east façade of the house.

Near to

Montacute House

Start point

Montacute House, grid ref: ST499169

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)

Short trail

DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Duration 30 mins to 1 hour

Dog friendly***

*A circular walk with mostly flat easy terrain. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Mostly flat, unmade paths with some undulations. The paths can become muddy. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs on leads welcome. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Escape into the garden with majestic trees and sloping lawns

The mood changes as the turn into the Lime Avenue offers impressive views of Montacute House and St Michael's Hill folly. Grade of walk: Trainer (all rounder); Type of walk: 'Beautiful Views', 'Historical Footsteps'.

Address
Montacute House, Montacute, Somerset, TA15 6XP
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Yeovil Pen Mill, 5.5 miles (8.8km); Yeovil Junction, 7 miles (11.2km) (bus to Yeovil Bus Station); Crewkerne, 7 miles (11.2km).
By bus
South West Coaches 81, Yeovil Bus Station to South Petherton (passing within 0.75 miles (1.2km) Yeovil Pen Mill Railway Station). Alight at the Borough, Montacute (5 minutes walk from bus stop to starting point).
By road
Montacute village, 4 miles (6.4km) west of Yeovil, on south side of A3088, 3 miles (4.8km) east of A303; signposted. Postcode for Sat Nav: TA15 6XP.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Montacute House, grid ref: ST499169
Stage 1
The entrance to the park is from the picnic area behind Lord Curzon's pavilion. The starting point is from the gate to the parkland from the gravel path. On entering the park, bear right, following along the hedge line, towards the level bridge.
First impressions
Montacute House was built to display the wealth and powerful political connections of the Phelips family. Looking down the original Lime Avenue drive, it definitely gives that impression. The E shaped house plan, central doorway and huge windows full of glass were the very latest in 16th-century architectural design, attracting interest as soon as it was built. In the 18th century a new entrance was added to the opposite western side of the house, with the original drive being incorporated into the parkland. Don't forget to walk around the outside of the house and compare the other front door.
Stage 2
Once over the bridge, bear left towards the paddocks and follow along the fence line. When you get to the end of the paddocks, continue along the obvious path, eventually passing across a ditch next to a large oak tree.
A walk in the park
Edward Phelips began building Montacute in the 1590s. Although its assumed that the parkland was created at the same time, not much is known about the original layout. Remains of ridge and furrow agricultural systems within the current park suggest that some of the earlier common fields of the village were incorporated and that it may have been built up in a piecemeal fashion. The layout, raised walks and symmetrical pattern of the formal garden directly relate to the house and are typical of the Renaissance period.
Stage 3
On reaching the Oak Avenue track, Odcombe Lodge should come into view. Turn left and follow the track down through the Oak Avenue, moving away from the lodge and parkland boundary. The Oak Avenue was planted in 1845 and extends from the lodge gates towards the Lime Avenue. Keep a look out on the left for views of the folly built in 1760 on top of St Michaels Hill.
St Michaels Hill folly
On top of St Michaels Hill stands a local landmark which you can see for many miles. Built in 1760, this folly stands on the footings of St Michaels chapel which was once part of the 12th-century Montacute Priory. The hill was reshaped and fortified as a Norman castle in the late 11th century. This is the steep hill or Mons Acutus, a Norman French name for the older Saxon village of Bishopston. Look out for the folly as you walk through the gardens, it was a focal point for many of the designed views from the Montacute gardens.
Stage 4
On reaching the Oak Avenue track, Odcombe Lodge should come into view. Turn left and follow the track down through the Oak Avenue, moving away from the lodge and parkland boundary. The Oak Avenue was planted in 1845 and extends from the lodge gates towards the Lime Avenue. Keep a look out on the left for views of the folly built in 1760 on top of St Michaels Hill. Continue across the Lime Avenue, where you can view Montacute House from.
Stage 5
Bear slightly to the right from the Lime Avenue, passing to the right of a small copse of trees.
Stage 6
Once past the cope of trees, bear left down to what looks like a boundary.
Stage 7
Pass through the xxx
Stage 8
Pass the disused farm buildings and continue on parallel to the boundary wall with the garden until reaching the starting point of the walk.
End point
Montacute House car park, grid ref: ST499172
Trail map
Parkland walk at Montacute House map | © Crown Copyright and database right 2024 Ordnance Survey
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St Michael's Hill walk at Montacute

A 2-mile walk that visits the site of an 11th century motte-and-bailey castle and a Cluniac priory in Montacute, Somerset, as well as the orchards and parkland of Montacute House.