East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park

East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park

England's first National Nature Reserve*, the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve consists of parts of the Bovey Valley, Trendlebere Down and Yarner Wood.

We've positioned the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location. For ease of reference, we've split the listing into three sections.

 

Yarner Wood

This formed the original National Nature Reserve before it expanded into the above areas. It's a great place to watch birds from hides and to see giant oaks copper in Autumn. There's a car parking area by Yarner Wood Reserve Base which is just off the Bovey Tracey to Manaton road. The Templer Way runs along the south eastern border of the wood. There are nature trails and it's a great place for kids to learn about nature and burn off energy.

 

Trendlebere Down

This is a big belly of moorland arcing into the Bovey Valley. There's a large car parking area in the upper section of Trendlebere just off the Bovey Tracey to Manaton road. Smaller car parking areas are located just down the road in a strip of woodland beyond the edge of Yarner Wood. The views from Trendlebere are amazing. Look for stone rows and burial mounds. We'd also recommend yomping up to the top of nearby Black Hill for big views of the National Nature Reserve.

 

Bovey Valley

Look at the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map. Locate the River Bovey below Manaton. Running north west to south east, the National Nature Reserve covers Neadon Cleave, Water Cleave and a section of Houndtor Wood. Across the river is Hisley Wood. Houndtor and Hisley are part of the Bovey Valley Woodlands.

 

Also referred to as the East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths National Nature Reserve on local informaton boards.

 

* Information taken from Natural England's leaflet on the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve. 'Yarner Wood was purchased in 1952 by the Nature Conservancy and became England's first National Nature Reserve. Subsequent purchases by Natural England's other predecessors have created a much expanded area now known as the East Dartmor National Nature Reserve.'