Wistman’s Wood

As I’m off to Scotland soon, and Dave had some free time, we decided to get together to explore some of nearby Dartmoor.  First we walked to Wistman’s wood, then, before the rain became too heavy, we camped up in a car park near Venford reservoir.

Wistman’s wood is a beautiful piece of Oak wood not far from Two Bridges.  It’s dominated by gnarly, character rich oak trees, with the occasional Rowan and Birch.  I’m afraid I have no idea of deer numbers in the area, or of what grazing pressures the wood may be under, but I was surprised to find that only a very small section of the wood is fenced off.  The area within the fence appears to display considerably more regeneration than that outside.