Choose your interest:

Woody

Grassland

Upland moor

Coastal

Freshwater

Heaths

Woody in Devon

Woody wildlife areas in Devon, including ancient woodlands, coppices, and scrub, form some of the county’s most ecologically rich and historically significant habitats. These wooded landscapes, ranging from the steep-sided river valleys of the South Hams to the oak-dominated upland woods of Dartmoor, provide shelter and sustenance for a wide variety of species, such as dormice, pied flycatchers, and a host of woodland invertebrates and fungi. Many of these woods have been shaped by centuries of traditional management, creating a patchwork of habitats that support both biodiversity and cultural heritage. As crucial carbon stores and havens for wildlife, Devon’s woody areas play a vital role in the region’s environmental health and resilience.

Many leaved pocketmoss Sharon Pilkington

Dendles Wood

Dendles Wood is a secluded ancient woodland located on the southern fringes of Dartmoor National Park in Devon. Managed by

Andrew’s wood

Andrew’s Wood, located in South Hams near Kingsbridge, is a 45-hectare nature reserve managed by Devon Wildlife Trust. It features

Fingle bridge River Teign Adrian Colston

Fingle woods

Fingle Woods, located in Devon’s Teign Valley on the edge of Dartmoor, is a vast and diverse woodland spanning 334

Killerton

Killerton’s woodlands, including Ashclyst Forest and Danes Wood, are home to ancient and veteran trees, especially oak and chestnut. Danes

Avon Valley Woods

Avon Valley Woods is a beautiful stretch of ancient woodland in South Devon, covering around 139 hectares near Woodleigh. Managed

Lady’s Wood

Lady’s Wood, managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust, is a small yet ecologically rich nature reserve located near Dartmoor. This

Hawkswood

Hawkswood is a 4-hectare nature reserve managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust, located near the village of Stockland in East

Hembury and Holne Woods

Hembury and Holne Woods are ancient woodlands on the southern edge of Dartmoor, managed by the National Trust. The area

Heath lobelia Peter Llewyn UK Wildflowers

Andrew’s Wood

Andrew’s Wood, Devon Wildlife Trust reserve, is a perfect slice of the beautiful South Hams landscape. From the top of

Ashclyst Forest

Ashclyst Forest, one of Devon’s largest woodlands, lies just outside Exeter and offers a haven for wildlife and nature enthusiasts.

Heddon Valley

Heddon Valley is a National Trust site within Exmoor National Park – a stunning natural haven of wooded slopes, a

Blackdown Hills AONB

The Blackdown Hills AONB, spanning the Devon-Somerset border, is a tranquil landscape of rolling hills, steep valleys, and rich biodiversity.

Chiffchaff National Trust Images Nick Upton

Yarner Woods

Yarner Wood is West of the town of Bovey Tracey and on the South East edge of Dartmoor National Park

Shaugh Bridge

This landscape of woodlands and granite cliffs has been shaped by centuries of activity – you can find remnants of

Arlington Woods

Arlington Woods are surrounding the Arlington Court estate – which has over 2,700 acres to explore. The area is part

Black-a-Tor Copse

Black-a-Tor Copse National Nature Reserve is a narrow band of high-elevation ancient oak woodland, where the trees take on stunted,

Watersmeet, Exmoor

Watersmeet is one of the largest remaining ancient woodlands in the south west. Oak dominates the canopy, but other species

Photo of granite rocks on Bellever Tor on Dartmoor

Bellever Tor and Higher Cherrybrook Brid..

Situated in the centre of Dartmoor National Park, the area around Bellever Tor is easily accessible and is a popular

Andrew’s Wood

Developed on a series of fields once farmed by the villagers of Stanton, Andrew’s Wood now has a mix of

Dunsford Woodland Reserve

Dunsford Woodland Reserve lies on the eastern edge of Dartmoor National Park. This riverside woodland reserve consists primarily of sessile

Haldon Forest Park wildlife

Haldon Forest is a structurally diverse conifer plantation covering 3,500 acres. No fewer than five species of birds of prey

Photo of a trail through woodland at Yarner Woods

East Dartmoor woods and heaths

The East Dartmoor woods and heaths is a National Nature Reserve consisting of three adjacent sites – Yarner Woods, Trendlebere

Warleigh Point

Warleigh Point is a Devon Wildlife Trust reserve. It’s a fine example of coastal oak woodland. A variety of management

Lydford Gorge

Lydford Gorge is 1.5 miles long and includes the spectacular 90 ft high White Lady waterfall and the exciting Devil’s

Photo of an old stone bridge, Plym Bridge

Plym Bridge Woods

Springtime in the valley of the River Plym sees the Plym Bridge Woods floor carpeted by wild flowers including wood

Halsdon

Halsdon consists of a mixture of ancient woodland, floodplain meadows and a magnificent length of the River Torridge immortalised by