Bovey Valley Woods
Bovey Tracey
Woodland Trust wood group
- Pullabrook Wood
- Hisley Wood
- Houndtor Wood
Size:
19.98 ha (49.37 acres)
Grid reference:
SX786797
Map reference:
Explorer 110
OS Landranger 191
Nestled in the steep-sided valley of the River Bovey in the dramatic Dartmoor landscape, this enchanting site is home to a mosaic of incredibly rare habitats. Wander along a network of pathways to explore temperate rainforest, ancient woodland, heathland and wildflower-rich wet meadows, all home to an abundance of wildlife and fascinating flora.
Features
- Parking at site
- Public access
- Autumn colour
- Spring flowers
- Waymarked walk
- Moorland
How to get to Bovey Valley Woods
Bovey Valley Woods is made up of three Woodland Trust sites: Hisley Wood, Houndtor Wood and Pullabrook Wood.
They lie in the valley of the River Bovey, on the southeast side of Dartmoor National Park, and are part of the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve.
The woods are close to the villages of Lustleigh and Manaton, and are 8km (5 miles) from Newton Abbot.
To Pullabrook car park: from the A38, follow the signs to Bovey Tracey on the A382. Take the second exit at the first roundabout, staying on the A382, and then at the next roundabout take the first exit onto the B3387. Keep to the right where the road forks and continue to a brown sign on the right. Pullabrook car park is on your left.
To Trendlebere Down car parks: from the A38, follow the signs to Bovey Tracey on the A382. Take the second exit at the first roundabout, staying on the A382, and then at the next roundabout take the first exit onto the B3387. Keep to the right where the road forks and continue past the turning where there is a brown sign. Continue on the road and over a cattle grid to the car parks of Trendlebere Down on your right.
The nearest train station is Newton Abbot, 8km (5 miles) from the woods.
Visit National Rail for more information.
The nearest bus stop is on Fore Street in Bovey Tracey, around 3.2km (2 miles) from the woods.
Visit Traveline for more information.
Facilities and access
The main access point is from the Old Manaton Road, an ancient lane leading from Trendlebere Down to the village of Manaton. You can also access the woods from surrounding lanes and footpaths.
It can also be accessed from the Trendlebere Down and the Pullabrook car park.
Bovey Valley Woods has a large network of footpaths with a combination of hunting gates and step-over stiles. There are some circular walks, but many paths are steep, uneven and muddy. An OS map is needed when walking in this area.
There is a car park at Pullabrook Wood, on your left just before the stone bridge over the River Bovey. There is also parking on Trendlebere Down.
The nearest public toilets are at the Natural England offices at Yarner Wood, including disabled access. There are also toilets in Bovey Tracey. Toilets in the Station Road car park include a disabled toilet with RADAR access.
Visit the Teignbridge District Council for more information.
Wildlife and habitats
Animals
A well-known haunt for bird watchers, the lush temperate rainforest of Bovey Valley attracts a myriad of spring migrant birds. Look for the rare Dartford warbler, the brightly-coloured kingfisher or the pied flycatcher, which arrives from Africa each spring to breed.
Watchful visitors might spot signs of the tiny hazel dormouse, such as nibbled nuts along the woodland floor, while at night Bovey Valley comes alive with bats as they hunt on the wing. The river is home to otter, salmon, brown and sea trout, as well as the rare bullhead fish, and Dartmoor ponies graze in the wildflower meadows.
Look out for:
Trees, plants and fungi
In Bovey Valley Woods you will find swathes of wild flowers, including primroses in spring and pink foxgloves in summer. Over 36 notable species of weird and wonderful lichens cling to the trees in the woods, a feature typical of temperate rainforest. Look out for the little silvery-green pixie cup, the apricot-centred jam tart, and the aptly-named string of sausages lichen.
Look out for:
Habitats
The cluster of woods at Bovey Valley are home to some of our rarest habitats. Spot wildflowers in the ancient woodland, hunt for mosses and lichen in the temperate rainforest, pause to enjoy the sounds of the river and admire the open heathland.
Explore:
Inside Britain's rainforests
00:03:47
Take a glimpse into Britain's beautiful and fragile temperate rainforests and discover more about the rare and globally important species that live there.
Watch the filmHistory of Bovey Valley Woods
Bovey Valley Woods is steeped in history. The valley once contained a number of medieval farmsteads. The best preserved are the three early 14th-century buildings of Boveycombe Farm in Hisley Wood.
The farms were gradually abandoned and native woodland has re-established itself in the former fields. This naturalisation process was disrupted in the post-war period when areas of former oak coppice were converted to conifer.
Credit: Alind Srivastava / WTML
Acquisition
We purchased Pullabrook Wood in 1985 with grant aid from the Countryside Commission. Hisley Wood was purchased in 1988 with support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Dartmoor National Park Authority and the Nature Conservancy Council. The purchase of Houndtor Wood in 2001 was partly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Since acquisition, we have been working to replace some of the conifers with native trees.
Things to do at Bovey Valley Woods
Horse riding
Why not experience Bovey Valley Woods on horseback? There is a permissive horse riding route that runs through Pullabrook Wood to the Old Manaton Road and back through Hisley Wood to Heaven’s Gate.
Walking
Bovey Valley Woods is a great place to enjoy a walk through astonishing landscapes, including globally rare temperate rainforest. Take in the beauty of the River Bovey along the 5km (3.2-mile) Hisley Round walk. This route takes around 1.5 hours to complete, starting in Pullabrook car park and following the main trail onto Old Manaton Road. You'll pass a huge granite boulder known as the Pudding Stone, before reaching the beautiful Hisley Bridge. From here, the path follows the River Bovey east, passing through Rudge Meadow. Please take an OS map with you as this area is vast, with no waymarked trails.
Visiting woods
Walking dogs in our woods
Dogs are welcome for walkies in our woods. Take a look at our tips and guidelines for ensuring we keep our woods safe and special for dogs and wildlife.
Visiting woods
Events
Discover events at our woods and the festivals and fairs you can find us at soon.
Take an audio tour of this wood
Listen to our Woodland Walks podcast series with host Adam Shaw and special guests.
External link
A lasting legacy
This wood is just one of many to have been protected by gifts in wills, securing it for generations to come. Your legacy gift could also make a real difference to woods, trees and wildlife.
Learn what your gift could mean
