Exploring the park at Kedleston

Visitors on the Short Walk through woodland at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire in autumn — Visitors on the Short Walk through woodland at Kedleston Hall | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Whether you're searching for wildlife, enjoying a short stroll or heading out on a heartier walk, Kedleston's 800 acres of parkland is ready to be explored. Here’s our guide to exploring the park at Kedleston, where you can take in views of the neoclassical Fishing Pavilion, look out for waterfowl and find wooden animal sculptures in the wilderness.

For your safety

No swimming permitted on site.

Short walk

This walk is a 1.7-mile circuit, which usually takes about 45–60 minutes. Amble along the first part of the Adam-inspired circuit walk to take in some of the park’s finest views. This route also takes you past the restored hermitage.

Although a portion of the route crosses back through the parkland, an alternative for those with wheelchairs or pushchairs is to visit the hermitage and then return back down the same path.

You'll spot benches along the way - an opportunity to give you a rest with a wonderful view.

Lakeside Walk Closure

Following storm damage, the Lakeside Walk is currently closed until further notice.

Long walk

This is a longer route with a mixture of habitats along the way. Please be aware that the lakeside section of the path is not surfaced, so we recommend sturdy footwear, especially after wet weather.

This walk is a 3.2-mile circuit, which usually takes about 90 minutes and it's one of the best examples of an 18th-century circuit walk in the country. You’ll be able to retrace the footsteps of Kedleston's aristocratic visitors of the past and stop at the viewpoints that 18th-century visitors would have admired. There are benches along the route to take a rest and enjoy the views.

Lakeside walk

Currently closed following storm damage.

This walk is about two miles in length and usually takes around 60 minutes. It is fairly flat but across some uneven ground and there is a wooden footbridge and several gates along the route. This walk offers great views of the hall, weirs, neoclassical style Fishing Pavilion and Grade I listed Robert Adam bridge.

Amongst a rich diversity of wildlife in, on and around the lakes, listen out for oystercatchers calling in the spring and summer, and keep your eyes peeled for Little Egrets, Kingfishers and a host of other birds all year round. Find out more about our seasonal wildlife highlights on 'Visiting the Parkland.'

Wilderness walk

Explore the north side of the lake, known as the wilderness and find veteran oak trees (some are up to 1,000 years old) in the parkland beyond the lake on this walk. With great views of the Robert Adam bridge and the island, where numerous birds nest, you can also look out for the wooden animal sculptures hidden along the route. This walk includes uneven ground and passes through grazing cattle.

You'll find this area of the estate more wild and rugged in comparison to other areas, with fallen trees and long grass. This is all intentional, as a key conservation area of the parkland it provides habitats for all manner of animals from birds to woodland invertebrates.

Listen to our wilderness podcasts for more information about the animals you can find here and our management methods.

Snowy scenes along the Short Walk at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire — Discover up to 90 species of weird and wonderful fungi in the grounds at Kedleston Hall | © National Trust Images/Steve Franklin

Winter highlights at Kedleston

Walk along the edge of the lake and see a whole host of waterfowl including geese, swans, oyster catchers, herons and coots. You might even spot a hare in the grassland too. We know of over 40 species of bird that call Kedleston's lake home in winter, see how many you can spot.