Things to do at Horner Wood

A medieval packhorse bridge surrounded by trees at Horner Wood — A medieval packhorse bridge crossing over Horner Water | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Discover one of the largest and most beautiful ancient oak woods in Britain, where 800 acres of woodland clothe the lower slopes of the surrounding moorland, following river and stream valleys. Horner Wood is also a National Nature Reserve. Here you can see ancient oak pollards, an impressive oak tree that's over 500 years old as well as a variety of wildlife that makes its home among these magnificent trees.

Discover the veteran trees

Horner Wood is a magical place with mosses, ferns and lichens covering ancient oak trees. Look out for the General, an impressive oak tree that's over 500 years old. The woodland is rich in history – as well as the historic trees, you can spot a 17th-century packhorse bridge and a Tudor iron-smelting site hidden amongst the trees.

Spot seasonal wildlife

Look out for red deer, dippers and summer migrants of pied flycatchers and wood warblers. In autumn at dusk, you can spot several species of bats flying around the woods.

A path through twisted oak trees at Horner Wood | © National Trust Images/Mel Peters

Walking, horse riding and cycling at Horner Wood

Pull on your walking boots and stride out for a walk around Horner Wood. Choose from three walking trails or why not come back and complete them all? Along the way you can pass through steep-sided river valleys, wander through woodland pastures and spot deer, birds and the other wildlife that lives in Horner Wood.

Bridleways and cycle trails criss-cross the Holnicote Estate, so you can explore the estate on foot, by horse or on two-wheels.

View over the valley from Horner Wood at sunset — View from Horner Wood towards Selworthy village | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Explore the wider Holnicote Estate

Horner Wood forms part of the Holnicote Estate on Exmoor, one of the largest places cared for by the National Trust. The estate is made up of many picturesque villages, which include Selworthy, Bossington, Allerford and Horner. There are acres of spectacular landscapes to explore including rugged moorland, shingle beaches and ancient woodland and 150 miles of footpaths and bridleways to discover.