10 Wonderful Woodland Walks

10 Wonderful Woodland Walks to Enjoy this Autumn!

As the vibrant greens of summer gradually give way to the warm and inviting hues of autumn, there is no better time to immerse yourself in the beauty of the season than a woodland walk. This is the perfect time to discover, explore and enjoy what our beautiful Mid-Devon woodlands have to offer. We have selected a few you may like to visit:

(Image courtesy of Mid Devon District Council. Rhododendron Woods, 2018)

Rhododendron Woods, near Kentisbeare

Rhododendron Woods has historically been dominated by rhododendron, although areas of woodland have now been cleared of the plant. The rest of the wood is mainly made up of broadleaved trees on steep slopes, including beech and sweet chestnut. There is a small area of plantation on ancient woodland in the southern corner which is being restored. There is a car park and a well surfaced bridleway which links to the wider network of footpaths in the area.

(Image courtesy of Mid Devon District Council. Buzzards 2015)

Buzzards Woodland, near Knightshayes

Located off the beaten track in Devon’s Dart Valley, Buzzards Woodland is a tranquil oasis that’s well worth exploring. Otters, dormice and rarer bat species are known to be living here, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for a sighting of one of these fantastic creatures!

(Image courtesy of Mid Devon District Council. Footbridge Over the Stream)

Eggesford Forest, Eggesford

The circular walk at Eggesford Forest is dog-friendly and offers unspoilt beauty and charm with a stream and plenty of wildlife and unusual wildflowers as well as an ancient Motte and Bailey castle.

The forest consists of a network of trails and paths that link the different woodlands and also connect to the Tarka rail line at Eggesford Station, All Saints Church and a Garden Centre.  The woods have some magnificent Douglas Fir trees and the woodland provides a diverse habitat for a variety of birds, mammals and insects.

(Image courtesy of Roy Plank: Black Hills National Forest, Forest Service, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Yeo Copse Wood, Witheridge

Yeo Copse Wood, in Witheridge, is situated on the north facing side of a small valley containing the Little Dart River and extends down to the water’s edge. You will find lots of bluebells here during the spring. An old mill leat (leat comes from the olde English word for ‘water channel’) runs across the site and there is a public footpath running east-west. You may even spot a few toads! A number of routes converge at Yeo Copse and the woodland is generally well served by public right of way.

(Image courtesy of Mid Devon District Council. Bickleigh Bluebells)

Northdown Wood, Bickleigh

Northdown Wood is a peaceful woodland with superb spring flowers and wonderfully tall trees. It is hidden away in the rolling hills between Exeter and Tiverton. Fantastic for a walk with children or a quiet solitary stroll.

(Image courtesy of Mid Devon District Council. Blackborough)

Blackborough Beacon, partly through the woods

Blackborough Beacon is a fantastic trail with different scenery, such as a vast forestry woods with some ancient beech borders on the top of Blackborough and many trails to explore. This walk is generally considered an easy route, it is a circular trail with a few inclines, about 6.1km and takes an average of 1h 44 minutes to complete.

(Image courtesy of Gary Rogers: Footbridge over Howe Brook in Knowles Wood, CC BY-SA 2.0)

Knowles Wood Circular

Explore the Knowles Wood Circular 6.3-km loop trail near Cullompton, Devon. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 36 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring.

(Image courtesy of Derek Harper: Countryside near West Sandford, CC BY-SA 2.0)

Sandford Yarmleigh Loop

This circular route in Sandford takes you through the attractive Mid Devon countryside, mostly on lanes with one section of restricted byway and one bridleway. This route boasts good views across Mid Devon, especially on the return leg.

(Image courtesy of Derek Voller: View Southwest from near the chapel, Killerton Estate, CC BY-SA 2.0)

Circuit of the Killerton Estate in Broadclyst

This 4 mile route takes you around Killerton Estate. This walk has free parking at two points, and you can begin the circular route at either. The route passes through Columbjohn Wood, which in May will be full of beautiful bluebells, as well as a display board with information about the original Killerton House. Next to the wood (close to Columbjohn Farm) you will also be able to find the original entrance to the house, an impressive stone archway to which leads through to the original chapel.

(Photo courtesy of David Smith: Track in Whiptail Wood, CC-BY-SA 2.0)

Newton St Cyres to Whitestone Wood

This route leads you through both Whiptail and Whitestone wood. The trail is circular and is about 5.6 miles long, which should take around 3 hours to complete. Parking is available in the Newton St Cyres village hall carpark, where you begin (and end) the route.

COUNTRYSIDE CODE:

Whichever route you choose, please observe The Countryside Code.  Please park your car with consideration to residents and other road users and, most important of all, enjoy yourself and our lovely Mid Devon countryside.

The Countryside Code:

• Respect other people and enjoy the outdoors and the communities you visit.
• Leave gates and property as you find them.
• Leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home.
• Keep dogs under effective control.
• Plan ahead and be prepared and use pathways unless wider accesses are available.
• Follow advice and local signage.
• For the full Countryside Code, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/the-countryside-code