Andrew’s Wood

About this route

Andrew’s Wood, Devon Wildlife Trust reserve,  is a perfect slice of the beautiful South Hams landscape. From the top of the reserve views stretch over the undulating hills as far as the eye can see.

The nature reserve holds a secret. In the 19th century Andrew’s Wood was known as Stanton Moor. In those times it looked very different with scattered farms, open fields and few trees. Today’s landscape is a comparatively new one.

Andrew’s Wood mix of ponds, meadows, glades and woodlands, provides the backdrop to a rich mix of wildlife. This is the place to see woodland birds and wildflowers, amphibians and reptiles, fungi and lichens, moths and butterflies.

Getting Around
Facilities
Walking trails, Dogs on a lead.
Terrain
Footpaths
Accessibility

Interesting information

Look out too for our herd of Exmoor ponies as they graze the meadows and woodland glades of Andrew’s Wood.  These play a vital part in the lives of one of the nature reserve’s most special residents – the heath lobelia.  The ponies’ hooves create bare patches without which the plant could not set its seed.

The heath lobelia is now thought to exist at just six places in England. It shows off its deep purple flower spikes in July and August each year. Like so many other wildflowers it has disappeared from our wider countryside, but at Andrew’s Wood it continues to flourish.

Heath lobelia Peter Llewyn UK Wildflowers
Heath lobelia - Peter Llewyn, UK Wildflowers

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Photo of Fort Charles

Fort Charles, Salcombe

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Photo of Fort Charles

Fort Charles, Salcombe

This historic coastal Fort provides a stunning viewpoint of the Kingsbridge Estuary and Salcombe Harbour. Fort Charles (also known as