Things to see on Compton Castle estate

Stone buildings stand in front of woodland and farmed fields in a valley on a sunny day. — Compton estate nestles within a Devonshire valley | © National Trust / Chris Pope

With views over the sloped Devonshire valleys and traditional farmland, the estate at Compton Castle is as historic as the castle. A new project has been established to improve areas of the countryside for nature, while managing the commercial farming.

Traditional Devon countryside

The estate around Compton Castle is surrounded by typical Devonshire views, sloped valleys that have been traditionally farmed for generations. Tenant farmers manage these areas as commercial farms but recently we're been working with them to improve areas of the estate for nature, where nature and farming can thrive side by side.

We've made changes to the land management through altering pastures for production. One area of the estate has been undergoing an exciting project in partnership with Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest. We've planted 10 hectares of new woodland and wood-pasture that will benefit nature, capture carbon and reduce flooding in the village.

Discover more about the project

Newly planted trees in a field surrounded by a wooden fence — New woodland habitats at Compton Castle | © National Trust / Michael Wright

Farmland and woodland

The valley side of Compton estate contain fruit orchards and hedgerows with mature trees, such as English and Turkey Oaks. Above the canopy buzzards can often be seen using the warm air currents to rise and soar over the estate, looking for potential food.

A distinctive bird

The Devon valley is home to the Cirl Bunting, a rare farmland bird which has a distinctive call that can be heard up to 500m away. Its name is derived from ‘to chirp’ in Italian, and if you take a moment to pause and listen, the mails can be heard calling from hedgerows around the estate with a flat, staccato, hammering sound.

Cirl Bunting numbers fell drastically into decline in the 1980's across the UK but the remaining population held on in Devon. Since then, a number of partners have come together, from the National Trust to the RSPB and local farmers to re-establish cirl buntings. Cirl numbers have increased and the population have gone from strength to strength.

Walking on the estate

You can explore this area of the estate on a permissive one mile walk. Located to the north of Compton Castle, it takes in a traditional sunken lane fringed by hedgerows, farmed landscapes and a recently planted woodland. A wander through here takes in the wide reaching views of Compton Village and on clear days even Dartmoor can be seen.

Check back here soon for a detailed trail map.

Closeup of a dog walking up a wooded path covered in yellow leaves — Keep to the canine code when walking | © National Trust / Annapurna Mellor

The Canine Code

We’ve worked with our partner Forthglade to come up with this Canine Code, which helps to make sure everyone can enjoy their day:

Keep them close: using a short lead helps to keep your dog from disturbing ground-nesting birds and farm animals. It's essential to use a short lead around sheep. But if cattle approach you, it's best to let your dog off the lead, and call them back when it's safe to do so.
Pick up the poo: please always clear up after your dog. If you can't find a bin nearby, take the poo bags home with you.
Watch the signs: keep an eye on local signs and notices wherever you're walking. They'll tell you if a beach has a dog ban, for instance, or if a path has been diverted, or if you're in an area where dogs can run off-lead.
Stay on the ball: remember that not everyone loves dogs, and some people fear them. So make sure your dog doesn't run up to other people, especially children.

Keeping control of your dog

Our definition of close or effective control is:

Being able to recall your dogs in any situation at the first call
Being able to clearly see your dog at all times (not just knowing they have gone into the undergrowth or over the crest of the hill). In practice, this means keeping them on a footpath if the surrounding vegetation is too dense for your dog to be visible
Not allowing them to approach other visitors without their consent
Having a lead with you to use if you encounter livestock or wildlife, or if you are asked to use one