Wistman's Wood (Nature Reserve)

The drive from Bel Tor to Wistman’s Wood was breathtakingly beautiful. We passed charming thatched cottages and roadsides bursting with wildflowers. We stopped at a lovely old pub and I enjoyed sparkling water with lemon, while Mark savoured a half pint of local draft beer.
Once we arrived at the starting point for the walk to Wistman’s Wood, the adventure truly began. The gentle walk through the rugged landscape was filled with incredible flora and fauna. I stood in awe as we reached Wistman’s Wood, one of the UK's only two temperate rainforests. The ancient forest, with its stunted oak trees shaped by the cold climate of the 15th century, was mesmerising. It’s home to globally rare lichens with fascinating names like horsehair lichen, tumbling kittens, and string of sausages to name a few.
Peering into the twisted, gnarly branches heavily covered in these critically endangered lichens was oddly beautiful. I wished I had brought my proper camera, though Mark took some fantastic photos to capture the magic. We will definitely return, as I’m sure the visual display of this place is spectacular in every season.
After our enchanting walk, we refreshed ourselves at the Two Bridges Hotel before embarking on the long journey home, already planning our next visit to this magical place.Read more