The Ghost Tree walk at Croft Castle
Step into the shadows of time at Croft Castle, uncovering the stories of veteran, dead, and dying trees. Join us on a new walk and explore an art exhibition that brings ‘ghost trees’ to life.
Near to
Croft Castle and ParklandStart point
Car Park at Croft CastleTrail information
Difficulty
Accessibility*
Full trail
DistanceMiles: 4 (km: 6.4)Short trail
DistanceMiles: 4 (km: 6.4)Total stages: 12
Total stages: 12
Start point
Car Park at Croft Castle
Stage 1
From the car park walk over towards the additional parking area and go through the gate into the field. Follow the fence and turn right around the parking area, walk diagonally left down the field to the corner by the exit road where you will find the first Ghost Tree.
First Ghost (The Silurian), by Richard Gilbert | © Richard Gilbert Stage 2
Turn around and walk back up the exit road until you see a gate on the left, go through the gate and walk past the church and castle keeping close to the boundary wall. At the end of the wall bear diagonally right to the second Ghost Tree.
Stage 3
Follow the path straight on bearing left to a gate, you will pass the Quarry Oak on the left. Go through the gate and walk diagonally left up to the avenue of trees on the ridge. Follow the ridge and you will see the third Ghost tree on the right.
The Third Ghost (The Lightning Tree), by Richard Gilbert | © Richard Gilbert Stage 4
Continue to the end of the ridge and turn right continue to the top of the new avenue of trees, turn right and walk back towards the Castle.
Stage 5
About half way back to the Castle you will see a track, turn left onto the track and follow this back towards the Castle. The fourth Ghost Tree is on the right.
Stage 6
Continue along the track with the walled garden on your right, you will reach a crossroads, turn right here and follow the track up the hill to the large gate at the top.
Stage 7
Turn left here through the small gate. Follow the path to another gate, go through the gate and you will find the fifth Ghost Tree on the right.
The Fifth Ghost (The tree that swallowed itself), by Richard Gilbert | © Richard Gilbert Stage 8
Continue up the hill until you reach a gate through into a wooded area, go through the gate and continue up the hill through a second gate until you reach a crossroads, turn left here and walk along the track for about 400 yds, the sixth Ghost Tree is on the right in the woods.
Stage 9
Return along this track to the crossroads and turn right down the hill, go through the first gate and turn left just before the second gate, walk past Ambrey Cottage and continue on the path until you reach a wooden shed, the Croft Wood Pasture Shelter.
Stage 10
Turn right and them immediately left to walk round the shelter and continue down the hill, the path winds down the hill passing the Candelabra Oak, go through the gate and continue down the winding path.
Stage 11
After a sharp turn left in the path, continue along the path bearing up to the right to a gate into a field
Stage 12
Go through the gate and follow the path down the hill to the seventh Ghost Tree.
End point
Continue down the hill and return to the car park.
Trail map
Croft Castle Ghost Trees Walk Map | © National Trust
