Dan posted an update
Jack’s Castle Plantation / Stourhead Estate, Somerset
Late April
My first venture into Somerset was an enjoyable experience. I walked around the impressive Stourhead Estate and explored its amazing landscaped gardens and oddities such as the Grotto, the Pantheon and the Temple of Apollo.
I know there’s an entrance fee, but I’m not sure if it applies to the house, the gardens or both – I didn’t pay and was never asked or approached by anyone. This was a Friday afternoon, and I only saw three other people the entire time.
I parked in the village of Kilmington Common and entered via the Six Wells car park along Tower Road. There were a few cars there and I only saw one dog walker near the car park.
I then strolled around the estate for a few hours before heading through the incredible woodland, which offers ample opportunities for all types of camping, before arriving at Alfred’s Tower.
I have to mention how amazing the forest was. There were a few plantation trees around, but it was mostly ancient woodland, with areas of newly planted indigenous trees, and the whole place was full of life, sounds and a really amazing atmosphere. The feeling while walking there was incredible.
I had wanted to camp around the tower, but there are a couple of car parks nearby – one of them literally right next to the tower, so I decided against it.
After walking all afternoon, I wanted a quick and easy return to my car, so I chose to camp close by. I crossed over the road and found a not-ideal spot on uneven ground, close to a path and on the edge of some woodland and a farmer’s field.
I was up early and was welcomed by a beautiful misty scene across the fields. I headed to Alfred’s Tower where there was no one around and I was able to take a few shots of the tower in the mist and take in the amazing noises of the forest.
Coordinates:
GPS: ST 74831 35496
Google Maps:51°07’05.5″N 2°21’39.4″W
What3 words: sideboard.wallet.distilled
Getting there:
As I mentioned, I walked from the village of Kilmington Common and entered the estate on foot, via the Six Wells car park. The road distance from Kilmington Common to my eventual camp spot was about 2.3 miles (3.7 km).
Tower Road runs from Kilmington village and offers ample parking options. Right next to Alfred’s Tower, there’s a fairly large car park and across Tower Road there’s a smaller one, with more parking spaces available further along the road.
The Six Wells car park – where I entered the estate, is also on Tower Road. A sign there stating that overnight parking is not allowed. I didn’t see any vehicles parked in or around any of the Alfred’s Tower car parks the following morning, so I’m unsure whether the same restrictions apply there too.
Heads up:
I was there on a Friday afternoon and only saw three people in the landscaped gardens of Stourhead. I saw no one at all in the vast forests of the estate. It’s a stunningly beautiful forest and as I mentioned, offers plenty of opportunities for camping. It’s easily accessible via the many well-maintained tracks that run through it.
Alfred’s Tower sits in a flat, grassy clearing, which is ideal for tents and bivis and very tempting as a place to camp. Personally, I avoid these types of spots, as I worry that being close to a road and car parks increases the chance of being disturbed at night by visitors.
In the evening, there were a few vehicles in the car parks near the tower, but in the moring, there were no vehicles in the car parks as I left.
I didn’t see anyone in the forest where I camped. Just the usual forest sounds from wildlife and I slept well and undisturbed.
Phone and internet signals are patchy throughout the forest and much of the Stourhead Estate. Signal improves along the roads and in clearings.
#bivicamp #somerset #alfredstower #stourhead #jackscastleplantation #wildcamp
