Arlington Court and Deer Park Wood

The National Trust’s Arlington Court Estate in North Devon comprises 2,700 acres (1,094ha) of rolling green fields and thickly wooded valleys around the Yeo River and its tributaries. This particularly peaceful spot lies well off the beaten track, and for the walker is a delight – not only is there a good network of public rights of way threading the Wider Estate, but the National Trust has also opened up several additional routes here, giving a number of options for walks through a most attractive landscape. The presence of oak and beech trees produces wonderful colours in autumn.

The Chichester family

The Arlington Court Estate was owned by the Chichester family from 1384, and given to the National Trust by Rosalie Chichester – born in 1865, and the last of the family to reside there – two years before her death in 1949. The present rather severe neoclassical house was built in 1822 for Colonel John Chichester (the foundations of a 16th-century dwelling can be found to the south of the house).

The house seen today was designed by local architect Thomas Lee, who also designed the Wellington Monument in Somerset. In the 1860s, under Sir Bruce Chichester, a new wing was added, and the rather grand stableyard – now housing the Carriage Museum – constructed. The house still has the intimate atmosphere of a family home and is full of treasures collected by Miss Chichester on her world travels. As the only child of the flamboyant Sir Bruce Chichester she had an adventurous childhood, and in her early years sailed on two world cruises aboard her father’s schooner, Erminia.

From the car park – with views north to Exmoor’s coastal hills – turn left along the lane (opposite the pedestrian entrance to the house and gardens) to pass estate cottages.

Where the lane bears sharp left, turn right down a dead-end lane. The lane bears left and reduces to a track to meet a junction of paths, with Arlington Court signed right; keep ahead to reach the old sawmill (left).

At the next path junction turn right on a blue-waymarked bridlepath through a strip of woodland, signed to Deer Park Wood. Pass through a gate into a field and turn right. At the field end turn left through a wooden gate, and keep uphill into woodland.

Pass a viewpoint, right. Go through two gates and continue downhill. Pass through a clump of woodland and two open gateways, and along the right edge of the next field (fenced). The path bears left through a gate into woodland, then drops steadily to cross a stream, and rises to a junction.

Bear right downhill, signed ‘Loxhore Cottage via Tuckers Bridge’, following a green arrow. At the next junction (Loxhore Church is signed left) keep ahead along the broad path that passes beneath beech trees, initially with a stream below right, eventually dropping gently to meet a track.

Turn right to cross Tuckers Bridge over the pretty Yeo River, which joins the Taw at Barnstaple. Stay on the track, which at last curves left with the river to a reach a path junction, with the lake and bird hide signed ahead.

Turn right to cross Smallacombe Bridge, and go through a gate into parkland. Follow the grassy path as it bears right and ascends gently to pass two huge lime trees clumped together, and through a gate into conifer woodland. Continue uphill, passing two path junctions, to gain the gardens at Arlington Court via a gravel path. Pass a pond with waterlilies to reach a T-junction.

Turn left for refreshments, and to visit the main house and gardens (note there is an entrance charge, and dogs are not allowed in the house). Otherwise turn right, soon bearing right again to pass St James Church, the stableyard and the Carriage Museum. Bear left to the sawmill path junction. Turn left here and retrace your steps to the car park.