Exploring the parkland at Croft Castle

Croft Castle on a winter morning. A prominent tree in the foreground is noticeably missing many leaves, creating a stark and wintry scene. — A winter morning at Croft Castle | © James Dobson

Croft has 1,500 acres of woodland, farmland and parkland and is home to a wealth of ancient trees, 'Picturesque' Fishpool Valley, archaeology and an Iron Age hillfort, all just waiting to be discovered.

Walking at Croft

There are five waymarked walks to choose from at Croft Castle where you can fully immerse yourself in the majesty of the ancient trees and the breath-taking views across the Herefordshire countryside. Throughout the parkland you'll find ancient trees, an Iron Age hillfort, woodland, orchard, a SSSI river and much more.

Pokehouse Wood walk

A long woodland walk taking in the River Lugg. A Site of Special Scientific Interest with some ancient trees and the old bridge that was part of the original approach to the castle.

Pokehouse Wood walk

Croft Ambrey walk

A ramble through fields and woodland, a circuit of Croft Ambrey Iron Age hillfort, then back to your starting point via the outskirts of the picturesque Fishpool Valley.

Croft Ambrey walk

Ancient Tree walk

An enjoyable stroll through the fields around Croft Castle, taking in some of the ancient trees on the estate, including an avenue of chestnuts and the 1,000-year-old Quarry Oak. There's also a chance to visit the medieval church of St Michaels and All Angels.

Ancient Tree walk

Fishpool Valley walk

Discover the beautiful Fishpool Valley, landscaped during the late 18th century in the naturalistic ‘Picturesque’ style. This pleasant walk takes in the chain of dams and pools, carefully planted trees and architecture such as the icehouse, grotto, pumphouse and limekiln.

Fishpool Valley walk

Highwood and Fishpool walk

Explore the restored historic paths and woodland of Fishpool Valley, landscaped during the late 18th century. Climb to the highest point in the valley for views over the series of dams and pools and visit the remains of the summerhouse, icehouse and Gothic pumphouse.

Highwood and Fishpool walk

Overview map

Overview Map

An overview map showing all of the walks is available.

A grassy slope topped with trees at Croft Ambrey Iron Age hillfort Herefordshire — View of Croft Ambrey Iron Age hillfort from the parkland at Croft Castle, Herefordshire | © National Trust Images/Robert Morris

Watch the wildlife in the parkland

Croft’s parkland is teeming with wildlife all year round. Fallow deer, first introduced by the Normans in the 11th century, still call Croft their home with the original deer-park boundary running along the northern edge of the car park.

Although in drastic decline as a species, the British native white-clawed crayfish can be found in the water, among fallen leaves and submerged logs in Fishpool Valley. Dormice, otters and bats are also sighted in the valley.

Fallen deadwood is a valuable habitat, a home to woodlice, beetles and countless other creatures. Standing deadwood is even better. Even after death trees survive as monoliths, a host to myriad plants and animals, and a roost for birds and bats.

Croft is also a busy place for bird life where you might see tawny owls, robins, finches, chaffinches, woodpeckers, nuthatches and siskins at different times of year.

Winter wildlife in the parkland

Winter can seem like a very quiet season when it comes to wildlife, but it is always busy and interesting if you know where to look. From large flocks of finches that congregate together to forage around the parkland and arable fields, to toads, newts, bats and badgers that can be spotted throughout the gardens and parkland, there's never a dull moment – even in the depths of winter.

The candleabra oak in the wood pasture at Croft Castle, Herefordshire — The candleabra oak in the wood pasture at Croft Castle | © National Trust Images/Rob Coleman

Discover over 300 veteran trees

Croft has an impressive collection of ancient trees. There's the Quarry Oak at around 1,000 years old, the newly discovered Candelabra Oak at around 750 years old and the Herefordshire county champion Douglas Fir in Fishpool Valley which stands at 57.6 metres in height.

One particularly special tree is the Quarry Oak which was just starting its life when William the Conqueror invaded Britain. It’s remarkable to think of all that has happened in the world during the life of this tree, and that for centuries it provided the estate with valuable firewood and building material from its crown.

The Candelabra Oak is so named because of its outline. With a nine-metre girth, the Candelabra Oak is thought to be around 900 years old which means this tree would’ve been a youngster when the Magna Carta was signed in 1215.

Its shape is as a result of its being pollarded for many years until relatively recently, to provide firewood for the estate. Pollarding and coppicing are ways in which trees can be made to live longer than when allowed to grow freely.

Near the Castle is the Spanish chestnut avenue which was the original formal approach to the Castle. Aerial views of the avenue show lines and clumps of these trees which could represent a battle. It is said that chestnuts were gathered from a shipwrecked Spanish galleon and were planted in the formation of the Spanish fleet.

In the neighbouring meadow there’s a fine collection of ancient English oaks which were reputedly planted in the formation of the British fleet, all done to commemorate the victory over the Spanish.