This route avoids the sections of the park currently closed for development. You will pass the park’s iconic waterfall, the (relatively) new pinetum, graveyard of Lord Howard De Walden, the stone lions, the Dean Castle itself and the deer park. A scenic and popular woodland walk!
Buggy friendly walk (one steep uphill section)
Dog-friendly walk
Download the route to your mobile phone HERE (Viewranger app required)
Park at the main car park – Dean Road, Kilmarnock, KA3 1XB
Route: Start the walk from the far end of the main car park, next to the river. Follow the footpath alongside the Kilmarnock Water, reaching the stone bridge and waterfall at the top. Here you will be at a crossroads. Take the earth track straight ahead, continuing into the woods and uphill to the pinetum. Turn left at the end of the path and left again to circle round behind the pinetum. Ahead are the graves of the 8th Lord Howard de Walden, his wife Margherita, and the angel memorial to his mother, Blanche. Exit the graveyard and follow the path on your right leading downhill and emerging at the stone lions. Turn right to walk along the grass (can be muddy) and join up with a footpath. Turn left here towards the castle. At the end of the path turn right to pass the deer park and continue straight to return to the parking area.
1st January 2017
Starting the New Year as I mean to go on….. with a walk 🙂 Funnily enough, on this very same day last year I was also in the Dean Park with my children, albeit doing a different route. Obviously a popular choice with me! Parts of the park are under development at the moment thanks to a £3 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The works have so far proven to be unpopular with some of the local residents, mainly due to tree felling which has been taking place around the former visitor centre. Dean Castle County Park is much loved by the people of Kilmarnock. We are proud to have such a fantastic environment in which to spend time and so understandably concerned at the changes we see taking place. Personally, I believe it will all be worthwhile and so I will reserve judgement until work is complete!
Other routes you may enjoy at Dean Castle Country Park: (note some sections may be closed due to development works taking place in the park)
1) 0.6 miles (Start at Assloss Road – woodland walk to castle then along river, passing play park, animal farm & duck pond)
2) 2.3 miles (Start on Glasgow Road – countryside walk into Dean Park then woodland river walk)
3) 4.7 miles (Three parks loop)
Gillian's Walks 