Wistman’s Wood National Nature Reserve & SSSI
Wistman’s Wood National Nature Reserve (NNR) is one of the most atmospheric, ancient woodlands on Dartmoor. Famous for its twisted oak trees and mossy, granite boulders, this small patch of temperate rainforest is one of only three high-altitude oak woods on Dartmoor.
Covering about nine acres (3.5 hectares), the wood is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall and managed by Natural England. Its stunted oaks are thought to be several hundred years old, and are shaped by the moorland weather, with branches and tree trunks are covered in fragile mosses and lichens.
Wistman’s Wood was given SSSI status in 1964 and is one of only two places in Britain where the extremely rare horsehair lichen, Bryoria smithii, can be found. It is said that the entire population of this lichen would fit comfortably on two sheets of A4 paper.
Go around Wistman’s Wood, not through it…
Nowadays, visitors to Wistman’s Wood are asked by Natural England and The Duchy of Cornwall not to enter the wood itself, and there are many signs reminding you to walk around, not through. This is because its ecosystem is extremely fragile, and the mosses, lichens, and rare plants that grow there can be easily damaged by people clambering through the woodland. This was a big problem in lockdown, with people going there and damaging the area by camping, lighting fires, and stripping away moss.
Looking into Wistman’s Wood, Dartmoor.
Many local myths and legends of druids, ghosts, and hellhounds (described as “Wisht Hounds”) abound, and the wood is said to be home to a large population of adders.
The best way to experience its unique beauty and protect it for future generations is from a respectful distance. Looking across the boulder-strewn ground and tangled trees still gives you a sense of its magical atmosphere, and you can see this from my photos.
Rare mosses, tree ferns, and lichens at Wistman’s Wood, Dartmoor. The string-of-sausages lichen (Usnea articulata) can be seen in the top right of this photo.
