Dartington Country

Pauline (Dennis) Blackford

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This very pleasant circular walk from the Dartington Hall Estate travels through fine Devon countryside, woods and country lanes. A long section of this walk is along the bank of the tranquil River Dart, with views of the South Devon Steam Railway on the opposite bank.

A detour takes us over the river to Staverton with its station and yards, allowing close-up views of the steam trains. Here you will also find a new wildlife reserve and the Sea Trout Inn for refreshments or meals, before returning across the river to continue our walk through Dartington Hall Estate to our transport.

For those with energy left, there are the Dartington Hall gardens to explore, or chill out in the Zen garden of tranquility. Also along the way, there is a detour to the Shops at Dartington Centre with restaurant, plants, crafts and other shops.

The Dartington Hall gardens are open to the visiting public from dawn to dusk, throughout the year. You are asked to contribute £5 per person to help with the considerable costs of maintaining the Grade 2* Listed gardens. Groups of 10 or more should make an appointment. More information at www.dartington.org

Please note that dogs (apart from guide and help dogs) are not allowed in the gardens of Dartington Hall but are allowed on the wider estate if on a leash. Please see Additional Information for an alternative route avoiding the gardens.

England - South West England - Devon - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Nature Trail, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Stately Home, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

5/20/2015 - Diane Willmore

Lovely walk, but please note that Dartington Hall has changed it's car parking charges. As of April 2015 it is £1 to park up to 4 hours, £3 all day. Please note following updates: 24. Saverton - if the railway station is open there are toilets here. 25. Benches along riverbank for picnic. 26. Public toilets in Staverton are now closed, so unless you want to see the church or go to the pub (which is very nice) there is not much to see in Staverton. 29. There is a new cycle path along Dartington Hall Road, ideal for walking.

8/26/2009 - Philip Wright

23/08/09 Great walk Dennis. Dartington Hall worth a visit on its own with beautiful gardens and a really tranquil atmosphere only interupted by the whistles of the trains. Well described walk beacause there are no way markers to guide you. Look out for kingfishers along the river bank and we're coming back for a ride on the wonderful steam trains. Thank you for a great walk. Highly recommended.

5/17/2009 - Paul Finch

DOG OWNERS ALERT. We thoroughly enjoyed this walk But would draw attention to the fact that the owners of Dartington Hall do not allow dogs (except Guide Dogs) into the main garden and house areas. Therefore a slight diversion is required. From the car park, instead of crossing the road and going through the arch, follow the road down to the left. This will take you to Waypoint 8 then 9 and you carry on with the walk from here. At the end of the walk it will not be possible to walk through the Gardens at Point 30 but follow the road back up the hill to the carpark. I don't know if we missed much but the rest of the walk was great. Thanks for writing it up.

4/27/2008 - TONY PARRY

A great walk but i think this walk is more like 7miles rather than 5miles it took us 2 hours 45 mins