Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve, Two Bridges, Dartmoor National Park
Rare, high altitude oak woodland
Piles Copse, Black-a-Tor Copse and Wistman's Wood are rare, high altitude oak woodlands in Dartmoor National Park.
Piles Copse is situated towards the southern border of Dartmoor near the village Harford. Black-a-Tor Copse is situated below Dartmoor's highest ground near the north eastern border of the National Park. Wistman's Wood is situated in the heart of Dartmoor in a valley cut by the West Dart River upriver from Two Bridges and Two Bridges Hotel. It's by far the easiest of the three rare, high altitude oak woodlands to visit and gets crowded in holiday periods.
Black-a-Tor Copse and Wistman's Wood are both National Nature Reserves. They are 'nationally important for the great variety of lichens and mosses that clothe the trees and rocks. The high humidity, mild winters and low levels of air pollution on Dartmoor provide perfect conditions for mosses and lichens. Some of the species found here are threatened with extinction in Europe, primarily because of air pollution’. (Information board at Black-a-Tor Copse National Nature Reserve)
Location of Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve
The B3212 is the main road that cuts across Dartmoor. Towards the centre of the National Park are Postbridge with its famous clapper bridge and Two Bridges with its hotel. The West Dart River rises on Dartmoor's north moor and cuts a beautiful valley just north of Two Bridges. Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve is situated on the east side of the river. It's surrounded by tors. Longaford Tor dominates to the north east. Beardown Tors sit at the top of the west valley wall. The distinctive Crow Tor is on the horizon to the north west with Rough Tor beyond.
We've positioned Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve on Google maps. Zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.
Directions and parking for Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve
Two Bridges sits where the B3212 and B3357 cross. It's impossible to miss Two Bridges Hotel and the two bridges spanning the West Dart River when you are there.
There's limited parking in a quarry on the north side of the road. There's also space for about half a dozen cars by the road. You can also walk from Two Bridges Hotel if you are a customer. They sell a fine cream tea and there's plenty of seating outside which is great on sunny days.
The name Wistman's Wood
There are many theories as to why it's called Wistman's Wood. Some say it's 'wise man wood' because Druids performed their rituals there. Others think the name derives from the word 'wisht' which can mean dismal, eerie or haunted. It's a magical place so we lean towards the former.
As is the case with many important natural landmarks on Dartmoor, there are many legends associated with Wistman's Wood. Perhaps the best is the legend that the woods are home to hellhounds who hunt lost souls across the moor. These are named Wisht Hounds or the dismal, eerie or haunted hounds.
Walking to Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve for the first time
To visit for the first time, start from the car parking area in the quarry across the road from Two Bridges Hotel. You'll see a gate leading to a track. Follow the track until you see a house in front of you. A path climbs to the right of the house and takes you onto moorland. The path runs all the way up the east side of the valley. Because so many people visit, the path is obvious and worn. Stiles take you over farm walls. You'll see Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve ahead of you.
The path takes you to the southern end of the wood. Take care as you are exploring a National Nature Reserve. You can walk through the woods or follow a path that runs above it on its eastern side. This takes you all the way up to the northern end of the wood which is an isolated, second area of dwarf trees and moss covered granite boulders.
Return on the same path. It takes about 25 minutes to walk to the southern section of the woods and about 40 minutes to get to the northern end. The terrain is gentle and walking easy for kids.
Longer walks to and around Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve
There are few official paths on Dartmoor. Most of its moorland is open access. As such, there are a huge number of longer walks you can enjoy to and around Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve. We describe a small number of these walks below.
First is a circular walk taking in Longaford Tor and Littaford Tors on the east side of the West Dart River.
Second is a circular walk taking in Beardown Tors on the west side of the West Dart River. You need to ford the river on this walk.
Third is a much longer walk taking in Lydford Tor, Beardown Man Standing Stone/Devil's Tor, Lower White Tor, Higher White Tor and Longaford Tor. We provide a shorter version of this via Crow Tor as well.
Wistman's Wood, Longaford Tor and Littaford Tors circular walk
Use the Ordnance Survey app or the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map in conjunction with these directions.
Start from the car parking area in the quarry across the road from Two Bridges Hotel. Follow the track and path up to Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve. Wistman's Wood is situated on the side of a valley. A path runs above the wood along its eastern, higher side. Follow this to the northern end of Wistman's Wood and then yomp up to the impressive Longaford Tor. The views are huge.
Now head south to Littaford Tors before dropping down to the path and then track that takes you back to the car parking area in the quarry.
The route is roughly 4 miles and takes about 2 hours at a leisurely pace with stops to enjoy the views.
Wistman's Wood, Wistman's Wood Ford and Beardown Tors circular walk
Again, use the Ordnance Survey app or the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map when researching this route. Note that you have to cross the West Dart River and this can only be done safely when water levels are low. If rivers are in spate then don't try to cross them. Ordinarily, you head upriver to find a crossing but this doesn't apply on this walk. In short, only try this route after a period of dry weather.
Start from the car parking area in the quarry across the road from Two Bridges Hotel. Follow the track and path to the northern end of Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve. Keep on the higher ground and then drop down to Wistman's Wood Ford. Cross the West Dart River. You'll see a weir to your left. Note that a path runs along the side of a leat and that's one possible route back in the direction from which you started. However, we'd recommend heading up to Beardown Tors for wonderful views over a remote section of Dartmoor's north moor.
From Beardown Tors, follow the path marked on the Ordnance Survey app or the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map back down to the leat. You then cut through woodland and Beardown Farm before returning to Two Bridges just west of Two Bridges Hotel and the car parking area in the quarry.
Wistman's Wood, Lydford Tor, Beardown Man Standing Stone/Devil's Tor, Lower White Tor, Higher White Tor and Longaford Tor circular walk
Follow the above directions to Wistman's Wood Ford. Yomp up the side of the valley wall to Lydford Tor. Cross the stile and walk north to Devil's Tor. You'll see Beardown Man Standing Stone to the left/west of Devil's Tor.
Walk across to Rough Tor but make sure you stay on the high ground as this area is boggy. Drop down to the West Dart River which is skinny at this point. Head for Brown's House (ruin) and then climb to Lower White Tor. Continue to Higher White Tor and Longaford Tor. Either return to your starting point via Wistman's Wood or Littaford Tors.
To shorten this walk, head south from Rough Tor to Crow Tor and then south again to Wistman's Wood.
A note on terrain. After rain, high moorland gets very boggy. The moor around Devil's Tor and Rough Tor can be tricky. Walk after a period of dry weather.
Places to eat and drink near Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve after a walk
We'd recommend Two Bridges Hotel for food and drink. As mentioned, there's a large outdoor seating area.
There are also pubs and cafes in Princetown.
There's a general store and hotel bar/restaurant in Postbridge.
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