Dartington Hall

This lovely circular walk takes in Dartington Hall, which has attracted writers, artists and musicians from all over the world. This walk is around 3. 5 miles and is fairly easy. Along the walk you will hear in the distance the Buckfastleigh and Totnes steam train, puffing along. See driving directions from Bowerland.

This delightful walk starts at the famous Cider Press

Park up at the Pay and Display, and walk down towards the bridge. Just before you reach the bridge take a turn to the left which will take you onto a cycle path.

Follow this cycle path along the stream

Continue along for just under half a mile and then turn left up to a public footpath. Make sure you ignore another path you will see which turns a sharp left. You will eventually reach a lane and make sure you turn right. You will then soon see the woods and where they start, turn right again. This path will take you through the beautiful gardens of Dartington Hall itself.

Dartington Hall

Dartington Hall is a medieval hall built between 1388 and 1400 for John Holand, who was Earl of Huntingdon, and half-brother to Richard II. After John was be-headed, the Crown owned the estate until it was acquired in 1559 by Sir Arthur Champernowne, Vice-Admiral of the West under Elizabeth I. The Champernowne family lived in the Hall for 366 years.

Follow the lane past the car park and then where it splits make sure you take the left fork , signposted Warren Lane. When you reach the start of the forest take a footpath left, and continue roughly in this direction towards the river. If you have time, you can explore the village of Staverton, which has a lovely Church and a fascinating medieval bridge.

The public footpath will take you through Old Parsonage Farm and back to the Cider Press, where you started from.

We hope you enjoy this beautiful walk. Read more of our Wednesday Walks HERE. And see Devon Dog’s Calendar of Events HERE.

 

Photo of Dartington Hall by Tom Jolliffe | CC BY-SA 2.0 | via Wikimedia Commons