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Home> Walks> England> Wiltshire> Stourhead Estate

Stourhead Estate

Recommended by
Walk directions

Leave the car park via the car exit and turn left down the lane into Stourton village passing the Spread Eagle Inn, St Peter's Church and the entrance to Stourhead Gardens. (Note: National Trust members or those paying to visit the Gardens and Stourhead House can access the village via the visitor centre.) Continue along the lane, pass beneath the Rock Arch and turn immediately right along a track.

Pass beside the lake, cross a cattle grid and follow the track to Beech Cottage. Keep left along the track to a stile beside a gate and ignore the Stour Valley Way, signposted to the right. At a fork, bear right through the gate, signed 'Alfred's Tower'.
View all directions
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Parkland and woodland paths and tracks
  Landscape  - Woodland and parkland
  Dog friendliness  - Lead required around livestock on White Sheet Hill. Dogs welcome in Stourhead Gardens all day February–October and after 4pm rest of year
  Parking  - National Trust car park (pay-and-display) at Stourton
  Toilets en route  - Stourhead Visitor Centre and Spread Eagle courtyard
Walks in Wiltshire Dog-friendly walks in Wiltshire Family friendly walks in Wiltshire
About the walk
Although without the immediate charm of villages like Lacock and Castle Combe, Stourton enjoys an idyllic setting in a valley on the edge of the Stourhead Estate. Beautifully preserved, consisting of a pleasing group of 18th-century cottages, an inn, St Peter's Church and a graceful medieval cross,...
Read more
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Walking in Safety

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About the area
Wiltshire’s charm lies in the beauty of its countryside, with expansive chalk landscapes of the Marlborough and Pewsey downs and miles of uninterrupted views deep into Dorset, Somerset and the Cotswolds. Stroll through quaint timbered and thatched villages in the southern Woodford and Avon valleys and explore the historic streets of the stone villages of Lacock, Castle Combe and Sherston.
Explore Wiltshire
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Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Inn
Spread Eagle Inn
★★★★
award
"Great service and hospitality, a characterful inn on a country estate..."
  • Rooms 5
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Inn
The Coppleridge Inn
★★★★
awardaward
"Traditional pub in a farmhouse setting in lovely countryside...."
  • Rooms 10
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Inn
The George Inn
★★★★
award
"Village inn a good reputation for friendly hospitality...."
  • Rooms 12
  • Wifi
Nearby places to stay
Spread Eagle Inn
Set in the beautiful grounds of Stourhead House with its Palladian temples, lakes and inspiring vistas, the Spread Eagle Inn is an impressive red-brick building with a good reputation f...
★★★★    Rating
The Coppleridge Inn
The Coppleridge Inn is a beautiful country pub with amazing views of the Dorset Countryside. The inn offers high standard, en-suite bedrooms located in a pretty courtyard and delicious ...
★★★★    Rating
The George Inn
Located at the crossroads in Longbridge Deverill, The George is a family-friendly, traditional coaching inn that has a relaxed and friendly style of hospitality and service. The 12 en s...
★★★★    Rating
Courtyard Barn
A perfect place for a holiday with family or friends, Courtyard Barn has a lovely south-facing garden that looks out over farmland, and is ideal for alfresco dining. Inside is a games r...
★★★★★    Rating
Courtyard Barn - Lois Barns
A perfect place for a holiday with family or friends, Courtyard Barn has a lovely south-facing garden that looks out over farmland, and is ideal for alfresco dining. Inside is a games r...
★★★★★    Rating
Melbury Chalet Deepest Dorset
With glorious views over green fields and luxurious fittings within, Melbury Chalet is a Scandinavian-style, three-bedroom building that makes an excellent base for family or friends. I...
★★★★    Rating
Duncliffe Chalet
With glorious views over green fields and luxurious fittings within, Melbury Chalet is a Scandinavian-style, three-bedroom building that makes an excellent base for family or friends. I...
★★★★    Rating
Duncliffe Chalet at Stour Cross Farm
Superb Scandinavian-style chalets with contemporary interiors and spectacular views, all on a working dairy farm. Duncliffe Chalet has its own private hot tub with fully enclosed gazebo...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Spread Eagle Inn
The Coppleridge Inn
The George Inn
Grosvenor Arms
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Spread Eagle Inn
The Coppleridge Inn
The George Inn
Grosvenor Arms
   AA Rosette Award
The Kings Arms
The Kings Arms
   AA Rosette Award
The Queens Arms
   AA Rosette Award
The Clockspire
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
1hr 30min
Dog-friendly Family-friendly
Difficulty:
Medium

Gradient:
Moderate


Distance:
3 miles (4.8kms)

Ascent:
262ft (80m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Wiltshire
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
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Stourhead Estate

Recommended by
Walk details
1hr 30min
Dog friendly Family friendly
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Moderate
Distance:
3 miles (4.8kms)
Ascent:
262ft (80m)
Walk directions

Leave the car park via the car exit and turn left down the lane into Stourton village passing the Spread Eagle Inn, St Peter's Church and the entrance to Stourhead Gardens. (Note: National Trust members or those paying to visit the Gardens and Stourhead House can access the village via the visitor centre.) Continue along the lane, pass beneath the Rock Arch and turn immediately right along a track.
1 of 7

Pass beside the lake, cross a cattle grid and follow the track to Beech Cottage. Keep left along the track to a stile beside a gate and ignore the Stour Valley Way, signposted to the right. At a fork, bear right through the gate, signed 'Alfred's Tower'.
2 of 7

Proceed ahead on the grassy track along the top of the field to a further gate and stile, noting the ruins of Tucking Mill and cottages on your left. Walk through the woodland and take the first broad track right (by a silver National Trust sign) into coniferous woodland. Ascend steeply to reach Broad Ride at the top, a wide grassy swathe through the woodland.
3 of 7

Turn left to a gate and the Iron Age hill-fort at Park Hill. Do not cross the stile, but bear right along the narrow path beside the fence to reach a track. Turn right and shortly turn sharp left downhill through the woodland to reach a gate at Six Wells Bottom.
4 of 7

Turn right to cross the stile and bear diagonally left across the valley bottom, keeping left of the lake, heading uphill to a gate on the edge of woodland. Continue up the track to a gate and turn immediately left up the bank to pass the Obelisk, with Stourhead House clearly visible now to your right.
5 of 7

On reaching the track, turn right towards Stourhead House. At a junction of tracks, turn right through a gate and pass in front of the house. Walk down the drive and stay on it to reach the gatehouse at the end.
6 of 7

To finish this short loop, pass underneath the gatehouse and turn left up the lane back to the car park. National Trust members and visitors that have paid to enter the Stourhead gardens and house can bear right just before the gatehouse and walk through the walled garden and across a bridge to return to the car park via the visitor centre.
7 of 7
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Parkland and woodland paths and tracks
  Landscape - Woodland and parkland
  Dog friendliness - Lead required around livestock on White Sheet Hill. Dogs welcome in Stourhead Gardens all day February–October and after 4pm rest of year
  Parking - National Trust car park (pay-and-display) at Stourton
  Toilets en route - Stourhead Visitor Centre and Spread Eagle courtyard
Walks in Wiltshire Dog-friendly walks in Wiltshire Family friendly walks in Wiltshire
About the walk
Although without the immediate charm of villages like Lacock and Castle Combe, Stourton enjoys an idyllic setting in a valley on the edge of the Stourhead Estate. Beautifully preserved, consisting of a pleasing group of 18th-century cottages, an inn, St Peter's Church and a graceful medieval cross,...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Wiltshire
Wiltshire’s charm lies in the beauty of its countryside, with expansive chalk landscapes of the Marlborough and Pewsey downs and miles of uninterrupted views deep into Dorset, Somerset and the Cotswolds. Stroll through quaint timbered and thatched villages in the southern Woodford and Avon valleys and explore the historic streets of the stone villages of Lacock, Castle Combe and Sherston.
Explore Wiltshire

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Inn
Spread Eagle Inn
★★★★
award
"Great service and hospitality, a characterful inn on a country estate..."
  • Rooms 5
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Inn
The Coppleridge Inn
★★★★
awardaward
"Traditional pub in a farmhouse setting in lovely countryside...."
  • Rooms 10
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Inn
The George Inn
★★★★
award
"Village inn a good reputation for friendly hospitality...."
  • Rooms 12
  • Wifi
Nearby places to stay
Spread Eagle Inn
Set in the beautiful grounds of Stourhead House with its Palladian temples, lakes and inspiring vistas, the Spread Eagle Inn is an impressive red-brick building with a good reputation f...
★★★★    Rating
The Coppleridge Inn
The Coppleridge Inn is a beautiful country pub with amazing views of the Dorset Countryside. The inn offers high standard, en-suite bedrooms located in a pretty courtyard and delicious ...
★★★★    Rating
The George Inn
Located at the crossroads in Longbridge Deverill, The George is a family-friendly, traditional coaching inn that has a relaxed and friendly style of hospitality and service. The 12 en s...
★★★★    Rating
Courtyard Barn
A perfect place for a holiday with family or friends, Courtyard Barn has a lovely south-facing garden that looks out over farmland, and is ideal for alfresco dining. Inside is a games r...
★★★★★    Rating
Courtyard Barn - Lois Barns
A perfect place for a holiday with family or friends, Courtyard Barn has a lovely south-facing garden that looks out over farmland, and is ideal for alfresco dining. Inside is a games r...
★★★★★    Rating
Melbury Chalet Deepest Dorset
With glorious views over green fields and luxurious fittings within, Melbury Chalet is a Scandinavian-style, three-bedroom building that makes an excellent base for family or friends. I...
★★★★    Rating
Duncliffe Chalet
With glorious views over green fields and luxurious fittings within, Melbury Chalet is a Scandinavian-style, three-bedroom building that makes an excellent base for family or friends. I...
★★★★    Rating
Duncliffe Chalet at Stour Cross Farm
Superb Scandinavian-style chalets with contemporary interiors and spectacular views, all on a working dairy farm. Duncliffe Chalet has its own private hot tub with fully enclosed gazebo...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Spread Eagle Inn
The Coppleridge Inn
The George Inn
Grosvenor Arms
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Spread Eagle Inn
The Coppleridge Inn
The George Inn
Grosvenor Arms
   AA Rosette Award
The Kings Arms
The Kings Arms
   AA Rosette Award
The Queens Arms
   AA Rosette Award
The Clockspire
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby