About
Horner Wood, on the National Trust's Holnicote Estate on Exmoor, is one of the largest unenclosed ancient oak woodlands in Britain and a National Nature Reserve, 818 acres of wood pasture above Horner Water. Ancient oak pollards, one over 500 years old, stand among trees thick with lichens, and the wood shelters 15 of Britain's 17 bat species and heath fritillary butterflies in Halse Combe. A medieval packhorse bridge crosses Horner Water, and the Trust car park, toilets, tea-room and farm shop are at Horner. Paths such as Granny's Ride and Tucker's Path climb out of the valley to Webber's Post and on towards Dunkery Beacon, the highest point on Exmoor. Reviewers describe mossy stones and fallen trees over the stream, herons, kingfishers and deer; one tip is to follow the signs for the National Trust car park. Dogs are welcome under close control, with a short lead near grazing livestock. The Trust's Walking in Exmoor day two trail passes through the wood from Allerford to Dunkery Beacon.
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- WoodlandSee opening notes
Opening times may change at short notice.
The National Trust publishes no opening calendar for Horner Wood; the woodland footpaths are open countryside. The Trust states that the car park and toilets are open daily.
Facilities at Horner: car park, toilets with an accessible toilet, designated parking, tea-room and farm shop with level access. Contact 01643 862452, hornerwood@nationaltrust.org.uk. A PDF map of Horner Wood is on the Trust's page.
Dogs are welcome all year under close control on the footpaths across the woodland; the Trust rates Horner Wood two pawprints (water bowls, dog bins and dog-friendly walks). Use a short lead around sheep and keep dogs visible on the paths.
Terrain is rugged, from level riverside paths to steep slopes, with gates and stiles; the longer routes onto the moor need a map, compass and walking footwear. Walking, horse riding and cycling are all allowed through the reserve.
Photo: Exmoor ponies grazing in the ancient oak wood pasture at Horner Wood. Retox, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Exmoor_ponies_grazing_on_ancient_woodland_at_Horner_Wood_-_geograph.org.uk_-_3682236.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0. Resized and cropped for display; derivatives retain the source licence.
Dogs at the location: Allowed. Dogs are welcome at Horner Wood all year round, under close control; the Trust rates it two pawprints, with water bowls, dog bins and dog-friendly walks. The tea-room and farm shop are not covered by the dog page.
Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs are welcome under close control on the footpaths across the 800 acres of woodland and river valleys; short lead around sheep, and leads near livestock on the longer trails. Free access, no ticket needed.
Dog walks in the surrounding area: Allowed. The Trust's Walking in Exmoor day two trail continues from the wood over Dunkery Beacon and the Holnicote moorland with dogs under close control; the wider estate's Webber's Post dog page says dogs are welcome in the countryside at Webber's Post and the wider Holnicote Estate.
Leads: Close control on the woodland footpaths; short lead around sheep and on leads near grazing livestock on the trails.
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Walking routes2 routes
Walking in Exmoor: Day two(opens the full route on the National Trust site)
WalkchallengingDogs, with restrictions25.6 km distance
