Near Two Bridges, Princetown, Dartmoor, Devon
Wistman's Wood
Ancient woodland
Place photograph
8.3
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.3An upland oak wood of twisted, moss-covered trees and granite boulders, set in the West Dart Valley. Its rare Horsehair lichen is known from only two sites in Britain.
Wistman's Wood earns its reputation through the combination of twisted upland oaks, granite boulders and exceptionally fragile lichens. The walk in is short, but the best way to appreciate the wood is from the path: this is a place where protecting the atmosphere means resisting the urge to step inside.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling · Wild
Find your way
Open mapNear Two Bridges, Princetown, Dartmoor, Devon
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The experience
Walk from the car park opposite Two Bridges Hotel along the broad track, pause for the view of the wood in its valley setting, then turn back rather than entering the fragile woodland. Allow about an hour for the 4km return walk and expect rough, wet ground on the later section.
Things to do
Walk to the valley viewpoint
Follow the track from the car park to the point where Wistman's Wood can be viewed nestled in the West Dart Valley. Stay on the path and turn back rather than entering the wood.
About 1 hour return
Look for the wood’s lichens from the path
Notice the moss- and lichen-covered oak forms from outside the woodland. Horsehair lichen is identified by Dartmoor National Park as a rare species found at only two sites in Britain; do not touch or remove it.
Look for prehistoric hut remains
On higher ground north-east of the wood, ruined walls of more than 100 prehistoric huts can be seen among the moorland plants.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour
Quick escape: the path-side view
- 01
Start at the small car park opposite Two Bridges Hotel.
- 02
Follow the broad track to the right of Crockern Farmhouse.
- 03
Pause where the path gives a view of Wistman's Wood in the West Dart Valley.
- 04
Return the same way; do not enter the wood or scramble over the boulders.
Verified history
Wistman's Wood is a National Nature Reserve, owned by the Duchy of Cornwall and managed by Natural England, according to Dartmoor National Park. The supplied source describes it as an upland oak wood and identifies its fragile mosses and lichens, including rare Horsehair lichen. On higher ground to the north-east, the source reports the ruined walls of more than 100 prehistoric huts.
Hidden details
A rare lichen to appreciate without approaching — Dartmoor National Park says the wood is home to Horsehair lichen, found at only two sites in Britain. The guidance is to stay out of the wood and avoid damaging or collecting lichens and mosses.
Prehistoric hut walls on higher ground — More than 100 ruined prehistoric huts are reported on higher ground north-east of the wood, hidden among moorland plants.
When to go
· No source-backed time-of-day recommendation.
The supplied sources do not identify a best season. Conditions on the moor can change dramatically, so check the weather before setting out.
Dartmoor weather can change dramatically. The latter part of the path is rough, muddy and wet.
What to look for
- 01
From the path, notice the twisted oak forms, granite boulders and moss- and lichen-covered trunks. The wood is also noted for rare Horsehair lichen
- 02
do not enter, touch or remove lichens or mosses.
The story
Prehistoric remains are visible on higher ground north-east of the wood.
Best time to go
Check conditions before visiting; Dartmoor weather can change dramatically.
No particular time of day is established by the supplied sources. Check conditions before setting out, as moorland weather can change dramatically.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Reach the wood on foot from the small car park opposite Two Bridges Hotel. The return walk is about 4km and takes roughly one hour. The path becomes rough, muddy and wet; do not enter the wood or scramble over its boulders, as the mosses and lichens are fragile.
Parking
A small car park is available opposite Two Bridges Hotel; spaces are very limited. Do not park across gateways or along the road.
Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The supplied listing data says the car park and entrance are not wheelchair accessible. The approach is a rough, muddy and wet footpath.
Cost
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Water
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Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Wistman's Wood
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
