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Wistman’s Wood

Hidden Gem

Terrain:

Activities

Best Time To Visit

Coastal, Cliffs, Woodland

Walking, Photography, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching

Year round

Photo: Martin Bodman via Geograph.org.uk

Gnarled branches carpeted in thick velvet moss twist into fantastical shapes across an ancient landscape where the heavy scent of damp earth and age fills the cool mountain air. This isolated remnant of prehistoric woodland occupies a remote, high-altitude slope in Dartmoor National Park, shelterin...

10

Parking nearby

1

Food Spots nearby

0

Staycations nearby

Parking:

Food:

Staycations:

10 day parking

The Plume of Feathers – Princetown

Nearest Hidden Gem 2

Nearest Hidden Gem 3

FAQ's/Things to Know

Where is Wistman’s Wood?
Dartmoor National Park houses this ancient grove in Devon. Walkers usually follow a rugged path up from a nearby hotel to reach the valley slopes.

What type of place is Wistman’s Wood?
Wistman’s Wood is an ancient dwarf oak woodland in Dartmoor National Park.

When is the best time to visit Wistman’s Wood?
Misty winter days provide the absolute ultimate atmosphere for capturing the eerie mood of the gnarled trees. Spring and early autumn also deliver beautiful colours across the moorland hillsides.

What can you do at Wistman’s Wood?
Hiking along the waymarked boundary trail lets you take incredible photographs of the contorted branches. People also love birdwatching or spotting rare local lichens clinging to the massive granite boulders.

How long should I spend at Wistman’s Wood?
Allowing roughly an hour or two gives you ample time to complete the return walk and absorb the uncanny atmosphere. Serious hikers frequently combine the loop with a longer trek up to the surrounding tors.

Where do I park at Wistman’s Wood?
Spaces are available across from the nearby hotel, providing ten day parking spots for visitors. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I eat near Wistman’s Wood?
The Plume of Feathers – Princetown offers a great meal nearby. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I stay near Wistman’s Wood?
There are no staycation spots recorded immediately near Wistman’s Wood, check the UK Hidden Gems app for the nearest options.

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Last Updated:

02 July 2026

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