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Morning nature walk at Meldon Reservoir

Georgina Tomkins • 4 February 2024

It may be a murky morning in February, but there is lots to enjoy and discover along the way...

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. 

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Emerging from the path at the head of Meldon Reservoir, we crossed the dam wall before heading back down the valley to the quarry car park.

This image captures the water thundering down dam wall with misty hills behind makes a dramatic backdrop to this hawthorn branch, laden with mosses and lichens.

Wandering down the path to the quarry, with the Meldon Viaduct in the distance, the ever flowering gorse with its tiny yellow buds. On a sunny day the air will be filled with a wonderfully heady coconut scent.

Before heading back to the car for home, we couldn't resist taking a slight detour to check out one of our favourite wild swimming spots; this wonderful pool, which is the Red-a-Venn River. We'll be taking a dip on a sunny day soon!

Heading back to the car we captured this wonderful selection of mosses and lichens on a small granite outcrop.

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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 • 1 March 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.

A Walk In Burley Down Woods

by Georgina Tomkins • 7 February 2024
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.
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