Killerton celebrates National Trust's First Walking Festival
Killerton near Exeter is hosting a Walking Week from Saturday 22 until Sunday 30 October to coincide with the launch of the National Trust's first Walking Festival. This national event sees a series of walking activities take place at Trust properties throughout the half term.
On Sunday 23 October, Killerton is offering free entry to walkers and challenging two-legged and four-legged visitors to help clock up 1000 miles walked during the week. Both human and doggy miles will be logged on the ‘Killerton Walkometer’ in Admissions.
Nearly 20 different walks, trails, guided strolls, family ambles and two new wheelchair friendly routes aim to encourage visitors to explore Killerton’s garden, park, farmland, ancient woodland and wider estate.
Themed walks include a drop in guided walk with the Head Gardener looking at autumn colour, an ancient tree walk highlighting the parks veteran trees and a nursery rhyme toddler's trail with a sticker and certificate for every child who completes it.
Six guided walks include a family story walk with stop-offs for intriguing tales of Killerton's old mill, orchards and trees, a Picnic Walk in Ashclyst Forest to take in views from the top of Spydon Beacon, a Family Nature Walk in the parkland, a food and farming Warden walk and a Royalist to Socialist History Walk. Advance booking for the guided walks is essential as numbers are limited. Call 01392 881345.
Alternatively visitors can pick up a free map from The Discovery Centre, download a Killerton walk in advance from nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or follow any of the way-marked trails.
Helen Trebble, from Killerton's Countryside Team said 'Killerton offers 6,400 acres of outdoor space with a network of over 60 miles of footpaths, trails, permissive routes and public rights of way. One day is not enough to explore! We hope to smash our target of 1000 miles and encourage families to take themselves off into the great outdoors for a walking adventure'.
Free house, park and garden admission to walkers on Sunday 23 October. Trust members free entry throughout Walking Week. Otherwise normal admission applies. For more details and prices of guided walks call 01392 881345. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/Killerton