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Wistman's Wood

Wistman's Wood, Dartmoor National Park: Address, Wistman's Wood Reviews: 5/5

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Wistman's Wood

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Wistman's Wood
5
120
#21 of 145 things to do in Dartmoor National Park
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
120 reviews
Excellent
94
Very good
23
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
sephirothseviltwin
Aylesbury, UK105 contributions
Hidden Gem!
Wow, just a fantastic place!! They have a strange ethereal magic about them indeed. From the small car park which is opposite the Two Bridges Inn, it is a 2k walk there, and 2k back. The woods itself is about 0.5k long. Highly recommend walking boots or shoes if you wish to do it, as the pathways can be rocky in places, and certainly the woods when you get there - you will be able to climb over the rocks! This place is not good for those with mobility accessibility issues, and there is not any car parking closer than opposite the hotel. We went on a foggy day and it is just fantastic! the trees are miniature oak, which have been stunted growth due to the weather of the area. Truly an impressive place, and well worth the walk to be connected with nature. You will walk through areas that are occupied with wildlife - sheep, cows, etc and it is great! :)
Written August 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Shellykins2013
Liverpool, UK178 contributions
Tough but magical woodland walk
Family
On a recent road trip my daughter wanted to visit Wistmans Wood I’d read up about it and parked in the Two Bridges Hotel at a cost of £5 that can be redeemed back at the hotel bar and we would of done despite the walk taking longer than anticipated.

Walking boots are a must and raincoat required as we went through all weathers on the walk. I was able to pick up a map at the hotel that tells you the directions and shows pictures along the way.

The wood is spectacular but take extreme caution if you walk through it as most places it has large mossy boulders that can be extremely slippery.

We spent more time around the wood taking photos as it was so stunning, there are many paths that you can take to find your way through the wood and find your way back to the Two Bridges car park.
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bluebellplasnewydd
Cardiff, UK1,452 contributions
Lord of the Rings
This is an ancient forest with large lichen covered boulders and spindly trees. It is quite small in area so you will not get lost in it. A great place for relaxation and reflection. The track leads from the Two Bridges Hotel where you can park for a small charge (or have a cream tea before your walk). It is an easy walk of about 30 minutes with the path being just above the river. We walked back part of the way along the river but were stopped by boggy wet areas where we had to return to the main path.
Written June 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HiggyBristol
Bristol, UK378 contributions
Unique and Eerie woodland
These woods are odd and atmospheric. The walk to the woods is pretty easy, there's a few small boulders to step over in places, but it's a mostly flat walk and when we visited it was dry and not muddy. The woods themselves are harder to navigate because of the bed of large boulders on the forest floor, you'll find yourself having to scrabble between and over the stone, but it's worth it to find a quiet spot in this unique and eerie woodland.
Written May 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lew
19 contributions
Another Dartmoor Beauty spot.
Friends
Parked in the little carpark this afternoon and made our way up the path. It takes around 30 minutes to get there and at some point isn’t that obvious to where your headed. Which I think adds to its magical discovery feeling. I had only heard about the woods from stories of it being haunted. Made me think of a big wooded area that you’d easily loose yourself inside but that isn’t the case as it isn’t that big at all. But it’s interesting to see none the less. It seems quite popular as even on a cold rainy and windy day. There were a few other explorers there so I expect the carpark will fill quickly when the sun is out.

Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mara M
London, UK143 contributions
Dreamy ancient forest
Family
Wistman’s wood is a very special and unusual forest which looks like it should belong to a different time. The dwarf, contorted trees (mostly oaks) with lichens growing on their branches reminiscent of witches’ hair, make it look like it’s just come out of a story book. The place looks like the product of someone’s fertile imagination. We enjoyed our walk from Two Bridges and, as it was a hot day, we cooled down at the nearby stream. The walk is very uneven and walking boots are essential. We were able to leave our car at the Two Bridges Hotel free of charge after having our drinks at the hotel as the designated car park is tiny. A great half day out!
Written August 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Carole P
Newton Abbot150 contributions
Misty morn & ancient oaks
Couples
It's worth setting off fairly early to reach Two Bridges & find a space in the small car park, which is opposite the Two Bridges Hotel & private car park. If you arrive after 10.30 am you may not get a space. There is a way-marked signpost to Wistman's Wood at the back of the car park. Walk about 10 minutes to reach a farmhouse, (which incidentally sells free range eggs - you can see the chickens wandering around). The path then becomes more uneven and rocky in places, so you need good walking shoes/boots & it will take 30 - 40 more minutes to reach Wistman's Wood. Grid Ref SX613770) This is high moor, so can feel chilly with morning mist or a stiff breeze, so make sure you have a jacket or warm clothing available. A rucksack with a picnic is ideal too so you can sit and enjoy the stunning views. If you want to explore the wood you will need to walk/climb over mossy granite rocks, but it's well worth the effort. The distorted trees & abundant moss and lichen give the woods a magical quality & there are many myths surrounding them. The far end of the wood is fenced off and un-grazed, so you can see the natural flora of Dartmoor. The rest of the area, including a number of Tors, is grazed by sheep and wild ponies. They tend to ignore pedestrians so no problem. Good for photos, but best given a wide berth especially when pregnant or with their young. Littaford Tor is near the woods and affords 360 degree views across the rest of the moor. There's plenty to explore, especially if you follow the river & leat up to Higher White Tor and then follow a circular route back to the farmhouse & finally Two Bridges. Allow 2 hours if just visiting the wood & immediate area or 4 hours if doing the circular route, as this will allow time for exploring & resting at the viewpoints. This is one of those beautiful walks that will never be forgotten.
Written September 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robertscargill
St Germans , Cornwall553 contributions
Enchanting, etherial ancient moorland oak woodland
Couples
This is such a special fragile place on the Moors . One of just a few ancient upland Oak woods. Ancient gnarled oak growing between huge granite boulders all covered in moss and lichen. I spent many years of my life living close to the edge of Dartmoor in Devon. I love the rugged beauty of this ancient landscape and Wistmans wood is one of my favourite places on the Moors. If you visit please tread gently and treat this place with reverence and respect and enjoy the peace of the place.
Written March 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stepb4U
Harlow, UK144 contributions
Hauntingly beautiful
Family
We had perfect weather. The walk from the quarry parking was easy with no inclines but as with most of the moors uneven. The woods are quite beautiful. The floor of the woods is all very large mossy boulders which my kids enjoyed climbing over however if I had very young ones this would prove tricky. The Two Bridges hotel close to the quarry parking is a great stop for refreshments after the hike. Also as The Dartmoor Prison museum is only a short drive away it was good to link these to attractions to fill your day
Written August 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Formidable
London149 contributions
Ancient woodland and beautiful views
Solo
The GPS via Google maps is likely to take you to a track from a pottery factory near Postbridge which has a gate requiring one person to hold it to enter and the locals advised me that the path from here is through the bogs and you have to go down and up the hill and is a bit of a mission. So instead take the path from the car park across from the Two Bridges hotel. The walks takes about 30-40 mins. When you get to the stone wall I advise going along the far left grass path that becomes a proper rocky path. I walked straight up the moor as someone advised me to and then cut back down to the left when I could see the woodland so if the path is feeling steep then you are not on the right one :-) The ancient woodland and the mossy rocks in amongst the trees create such an atmosphere of peace and it feels like the woodland has been frozen in time. I sat on a rock under one of the trees and just enjoyed the intense silence broken only by an occasional sheep bleeting. The views of the moors and along the valley are spectacular. Two bridges does a lovely coffee or tea and cakes too so well worth a visit after the walk.
Written March 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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