Blog Layout

A Walk In Burley Down Woods

Georgina Tomkins • Feb 07, 2024

Meandering through Burley Down Woods with our black Labrador Misty

We recently discovered this lovely peace of woodland, just a 15 minute drive away from Higher Kellacott, and found it to be a wonderful place to enjoy a mindful walk amongst nature. There are loads of paths to choose from, which take you through various sections of coniferous forest with smaller pockets of deciduous trees. There is a peaceful atmosphere and we were particularly struck by the green carpet of undergrowth, which seems so unusual for coniferous woodland, as you can see from the images and video clip below. 

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

The presence of so many mosses and lichens, both on the trees and ground, indicate that it is likely to be an example of Temperate Rainforest. Devon and Cornwall are one of the few areas of the UK that are known to have temperate rainforest, with several examples nearby on Dartmoor. It really is a pleasure to see the beauty of these mosses, which seem to thrive whether on the ground or when jostling for room amongst the ivy clad trees.

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

Although there's just a small parking area off the roadside, there's plenty of room for walkers to leave their vehicles. We'll definitely be back soon to discover more paths to explore whilst enjoying the sights and sounds of this wonderful piece of woodland.


Lydford is just a few miles away, with the Castle Inn a very popular pub offering good food and a warm fire for wintery days.

If you'd like to explore more activities and experiences whilst staying in one of our Higher Kellacott Holiday Cottages, click here

High Down to Widgery Cross

Black Rock Walk looking to Widgery Cross

by Georgina Tomkins • 01 Mar, 2024
No matter the time of year or the weather we encounter, this meandering circular route down to the River Lyd, looking east towards Great Nodden, Arms Tor and Brat Tor, topped with Widgery Cross, is always full of wonderful sights and the enchanting sounds of nature. There are many paths to the surrounding Tors if you'd like to be up high, or down to the valley and river, which can be crossed in several places, whether across the footbridge, stepping stones, or narrow bands of river where you can carefully pick your way across the stony shallows.

Morning nature walk at Meldon Reservoir

by Georgina Tomkins • 04 Feb, 2024
Walking from Meldon Quarry car park, we crossed the West Okement River footbridge and took a woodland walk up the wooded valley towards the Meldon Reservoir car park, passing a favourite cathedral like line of beech trees and finding a wonderful collection of mosses and lichens, in large carpets on the ground and on the barks and branches of trees and shrubs. Although we haven't identified them all yet, we have samples of the beautifully names Swan's Neck Thyme Moss and Rough Stalked Feather Moss.
Share by: