The best walks and hikes around Castleton

FAQs about hikes in Castleton

• What kind of scenery can I expect on hikes around Castleton?
  You can expect quintessential English countryside, views of Blackmore Vale, and along the Sherborne Escarpment, you'll find glorious viewpoints and superb woodland. There are also tranquil riverside trails along the River Yeo.


• Are there historical sites to visit while hiking in Castleton?
  Absolutely! Many hikes explore the privately owned Sherborne Castle and Gardens, including the evocative ruins of Sherborne Old Castle and the 16th-century Tudor mansion. The nearby market town of Sherborne also features historic buildings like its almshouses and the impressive Sherborne Abbey.


• What are some notable natural attractions in the Castleton area?
  The Sherborne Escarpment offers splendid natural beauty, including the Beacon hill near Corton Denham and Holway Hill with its woodland nature reserve. Holway Wood provides exceptional views across Somerset.


• What is the best time of year for hiking around Castleton?
  Spring is often recommended, as the woodlands are carpeted with bluebells, primroses, and pink purslane, offering a vibrant display of color.


• Can I spot wildlife on the trails in Castleton?
  Yes, Holway Wood is noted as a good spot for bird lovers, with species like great spotted woodpeckers, treecreepers, song thrushes, and tawny owls present year-round.


• What is the nearby town of Sherborne like for visitors?
  Sherborne is a picturesque market town renowned for its historic medieval and Georgian buildings, many crafted from distinctive ochre-coloured hamstone. It offers a charming base with cozy pubs.


• What are the typical difficulty levels for hikes in Castleton?
  Komoot features a range of trails, including easy routes suitable for all fitness levels and moderate hikes that require good fitness.


• What are the longest and shortest hikes available around Castleton?
  The longest hike is the Sherborne to Alweston loop at approximately 11.8 km, while one of the shortest is the Sandford Orcas to Holway Woods loop at around 5.68 km.


• Are there any lakeside walks in the Castleton region?
  Yes, many hiking routes around Castleton explore Sherborne Castle and Gardens, which feature gorgeous lakeside strolls.


• How popular are the hikes in Castleton according to Komoot users?
  The hikes in Castleton are quite popular, with thousands of visitors and hundreds of ratings on Komoot, indicating a well-regarded area for outdoor enthusiasts.

Historic castles, landscaped gardens and a lovely lake

Many of the best hiking routes around Castleton explore Sherborne Castle and Gardens, with gorgeous lakeside strolls and historic sites to discover. Sherborne Old Castle’s evocative ruins stand on the northern side of the lake. Once the fortified palace of Roger de Caen, it was captured by Robert Earl of Gloucester in the 1140s, during the Anarchy, a civil war that raged between 1138 and 1153.

Sherborne Castle, often referred to as Sherborne New Castle, stands proud on the southwest side of the lake. This 16th-century Tudor mansion was originally constructed by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1592, before the Digby family added four wings in the 1620s.

The gardens were designed by the legendary Capability Brown and remain largely unaltered today. Open to the public from late spring to late autumn, there’s a wonderful 42 acres (17 ha) of gardens to explore and they give way to a further 1,000 acres (405 ha) of gorgeous parkland.

Vast panoramas from the Sherborne Escarpment

There are some lovely hikes around Castleton to the north, along the Sherborne Escarpment. Objectives include the Beacon, a small hill above the tiny village of Corton Denham, and Holway Hill with its adjacent woodland nature reserve. Holway Wood’s narrow stretch of mature and recently planted woodland rewards with exceptional views across Somerset to landmarks like Glastonbury Tor.

Spring is arguably the best time to roam here, when the woodland is carpeted with bluebells, while primroses and pink purslane add yet more splashes of colour. Bird lovers will be in their element, with great spotted woodpeckers, treecreepers, song thrushes and tawny owls among the species that are present all year round.

The historic market town of Sherborne

Sherborne town is also a fantastic place to explore, or somewhere to put your feet up after long walks around Castleton’s countryside. The town is renowned for its historic buildings, such as its almshouses and the impressive Sherborne Abbey. Many of its mediaeval and Georgian buildings are hewn from a characteristic ochre-coloured hamstone, giving it a timeless appearance. Sherborne station can be accessed via direct trains from Salisbury and Exeter.