Conygar Wood circuit explores an area of woodland above Dunster and visits two follies built by the Luttrell family in the 18th Century.

Surveyed by: Exmoor National Park Authority Volunteer, September 2015 (Autumn)
Accessibility Rating: 5
Distance: 1.7 km

Full Profile

The entry to the main car park in Dunster is from the A396 close to the junction with the A39.

The car park is large but can be busy at peak times.

The route leaves the car park from the south (close to the public conveniences) and heads towards the National Park Information Centre.

50m past the Centre, the A396 (a busy main road) is crossed.

There are two smaller tarmac roads but the route takes a path between these. From this point, the circuit is clearly signposted with green waymarks.

A narrow footpath (1m) runs alongside a hedge and climbs gently. After 100m, there is a kissing gate (60cm clearance).

Shortly after the gate, at a T junction, the route turns right (downhill at first).

The path levels out and passes a rifle range on the left.

Just over 300m from the signpost, there is a clearing where, at the moment, there are stacked logs.

At the end of the clearing there is a fork. The circuit takes the track to the left and begins to climb (30%).

Near the top of this section, there is a seat. The track swings to the left after this.

After a further 100m, there is a junction where a left turn is taken (still climbing).

A fallen tree is easily bypassed.

The track turns right as it approaches a man-made structure known as the Arches. This was built in the 18th Century to enhance the Luttrell (Dunster Castle) estate.

Close to the ruins, there is a board displaying QR codes for poems by local school children.

Leaving the ruins, the route climbs steeply up a series of 18 steps (maximum height 30cm).

From the top of the steps, the path is narrow and has some exposed roots. There are four further steps (two down, two up).

In 150m, there is a junction where a better path is encountered. The circuit goes straight ahead towards Conygar Tower (signposted).

Conygar Tower is another folly built for the Luttrell estate in 18th Century. The tower is hollow but gives good all round views.

The circuit continues by retracing the path to the signposted junction and then turning left.

A good track leads downhill and is quite steep (30%) in places.

Pausing at a seat gives a good view of Dunster below.

In another 150m, the trail turns right as it joins the initial path from Dunster and passes through the kissing gate again as it returns to the main road.

The A396 has to be crossed carefully as the route turns left.

Passing the Information Centre and shops leads back to the car park.