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Directions Nearest postcode PL8 0DQ

Hilly routes that encompasses colourful several woodlands, with some lovely views of the Yealm river and the hedge-lined fields that to the east of Wembury. Best parking is in the village of Wembury. Wembury Woods is a collections of several woodlands. See Coastal walks for more information.

Directions Nearest postcode PL8 1HB

A 6.5 hectare woodland kept up by the locals of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo, with steep walks in places. ainly broadleaf, with a few larch and Monterey pine. Hazel, hawthorn, yew, holly and elder provide the under-storey. English bluebells dominate a large area of the Wood with many types of wild flower.

Directions Nearest postcode TQ7 4EA

Andrew's Wood is developed on a series of fields once farmed by the villagers of Stanton, now a mix of habitats including broadleaved woodland, meadows, glades, herb-rich and boggy grassland and wet heath, all providing a backdrop to a rich mix of wildlife. A network of paths lets you choose the direction to take through the reserve past a ruined farmstead, gardens and a farmed landscape all long abandoned. Andew's Wood is managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Directions

The 139.4 hect Avon Valley Wood is made of a complex series of woodland which was the Woodland Trust’s first ever purchase. This cluster of diverse woodlands holds Ancient semi-natural woodland clinging to the steep-sided valley of the River Avon. Opening up into areas of newer planting and grassy clearings that offer stunning views over the rolling Devon countryside. There are a number of public footpaths on the site, including routes alongside the River Avon and through the wilder part of the woods. Access to each wood is mostly from surrounding country lanes via step-over stiles, kissing gates or hunting gates. Local parking is awkward.

Directions Approx postcode PL7 5ED

Cann Woods (Plym Forest) an area of 230 hectares. The woods are a prominent feature of the surrounding landscape and are an excellent example of forest management. The wide paths are tracks for cyclists and walkers alike and also provide access to the heart of the wood for forestry vehicles. It is also possible to access a medium distance cycle Sustrans cycle route and neighbouring National Trust land. There a number of paths including one suitable for wheelchairs from the eastern car park.

Directions Ashburton, TQ13 7NT

Directions PL20 6SG, Dartmeet, Yelverton

Dart Valley nature reserve is one of the Devon Wildlife Trusts wilder and more remote sites. Paths into its interior are not maintained and contain challenging sections with steep climbs and unguarded drops. Care needs to be taken at all times of year. Paths through the 290 hectare reserve are narrow and require clambering over moss-covered boulders and lichen-encrusted tree trunks. Walking the full length from end to end will take more than half a day through this very large and wild nature reserve with river, wooded valley and upland moor.

Directions Near Harford Road, PL21 0JQ

​This wood sit alongside a working farm and consists of several individual woods that join together to form a wonderful mixed environment. There is a mixture of ancient broadleaf trees more than 400 yearsold, conifers and some recently replanted areas but it is gradually being planted with more native trees. A good place to see traditional Devon hedge banks. Also is a great Bluebell woodin the spring.

Directions Shaugh Prior, PL7 5HD

Dewerstone Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and important for its landscape and wildlife as well as for its archaeology and industrial heritage. Located within the Dartmoor National Park and is close to the moorland village of Shaugh Prior.

Directions Approximate postcode PL7 1UH

Hardwick Wood is located in the east of Plymouth, just south of Plympton and north of the A38. The 22.4 hectares site is owned and managed by the Woodland Trust. This site is an ancient semi-natural woodland created by natural events such as storms. Most of the trees are young with just the occasional large tree standing. This is due to the Great Storm of 1987 (Michael Fish's infamous not a Hurricane weather report) which swept across southern England. Until then the wood was composed almost entirely of mature trees, but hundreds were felled by the storm and others were damaged by lightning.The site now has been planted with non-native species, but does contain oak, ash and beach with a number of paths that running through the woodland. It is well known as a Bluebell wood in the spring.

Directions PL21 0LQ approx

Ermington Wood is a pretty photographic mixture of old native woodland and a more recent pine plantation. It hosts vast carpets of bluebells in the spring with the best areas for the bluebells on the terraced upper slopes. The second terrace is the one that always has the greatest density of bluebells and good spacing between the beech trees here to allow for photography compositions with separation (of elements) and recession. There is enough of a carpet of the flowers allowing for panoramic compositions as well.

Directions Approximate postcode TQ11 0HW

​With areas of high oak woods, walking in Hembury Woods allows the exploration of Hembury Castle Hill Fort and the Hembury Woods in Buckfasltleigh, Devon. There are miles of shady trails with waterside paths along both the Holy Brook and the River Dart, running through the eastern side of the wood. There are parking locations on the country lane which runs through the woods itself, including one just to the west of Hembury Castle. From there find paths to the Iron Age Hillfort and surrounding woodland. East is a trail running along the River Dart to Holy Brook which returns to the car park. The site is located on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park with a waymarked path north west going deeper into the National Park.

Directions South Brent, TQ10 9JE

Lady's Wood was Devon Wildlife Trust's first nature reserve and still remains one of its loveliest. This is a small 4 hectare wood which only takes approximately 40 mins to walk around, close t othe Dartmoor National Park. Lady's Wood is located on a gentle north facing slope above the Glaze Brook, approached under a grand viaduct which carries Brunel's Great Western Railway above.. The nature reserve has a wonderful bluebell display each spring and is a stronghold for the hazel dormouse, part of the UK's longest running study of these mammals.

Directions TQ13 7ST

Holne Wood is an ancient western oak woodland. The path goes from one end of the woods to the other, with the sound of the river being ever present. peaceful place for a quiet stroll, or brisk walk, in wonderful surroundings.
If feeling fit there are strenuous walks up out of the woodland and on to the open moor.

Directions Approximate, Ivybridge, PL21 0JJ

Longtimber Woods, or Erme Woods is a popular wood on the outskits of Ivybridge, following the river Erme. Enter the woods at the railway viaduct where there is limited on street parking, or the entrence (moderately challanging narrow foot path) entrance a bit nearer the town. The riverside path is flat, wide and even and there are no stiles to climb. There is an upper path, if you want to do a circular walk. This is rockier and can be wet. The path has excercise stations and passes a small former water reservior used as a swimming pool by Ameriacan soilders in WW2. Beside the path there are three pounds, or former enclosures for animals which show the pathway was once a drover's road to and from the moor.

Directions TQ10 9EQ Postcode area

Penstave Copse is located on the southern edge of Dartmoor, within the upper reaches of the Avon Valley, close to South Brent and connected to the town by a public footpath. A circular walk shows all aspects of the site with fine views towards Dartmoor and the nearby Brent Hill. There is car parking for two cars by one of the entrances in a lay-by. The landscape is made up of woodland, improved and unimproved pasture that extends up to the moor (1 mile north). Penstave Copse is a similar mixture of habitats from a series of grassland fields and ancient woodland, some of whick is over 400 years old The site slopes downhill, steeply in parts, from a minor rural lane to the river Avon.

Directions Saltram House, Plymouth, PL7 1UH

A gentle circular walk through ancient oak woodlands, beside the beautiful River Plym taking in Saltram Park & Hardwick Wood which can be extended to include Plymbridge Woods

Directions Saltram House, Plymouth, PL7 1UH

Walks around the parkland of the Saltrum Estate following parkland and woodland trails. Located on the Plym Estaury, Saltram Estate includes a Georgian mansion house, surrounded by the remains of 18th-century landscaped parkland, feilds and woods.

Directions Plymbridge Road, Plympton, PL7 4SR

With a number of trails around Plymbridge Woods, one choice is a straight walk over the road bridge, up a long but gental slope where there is a Peregrine watch project at Cann Quarry along a wide tarmac path. A pushchair / familiy friendly route popular with walkers and cyclists. This can become a circular walk or turn back walking downhill back to the car park.