Cornwall’s enchanting ancient woodland that looks straight out of a fairytale and is free to visit
- UK Hidden Gems
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
An ancient woodland first mentioned in the Domesday Book has been praised for its “fairytale” beauty.
This hidden gem in Cornwall covers 18 hectares and is recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Free to visit, Natural England describes the reserve as “a long gorge lined with ancient oak woodland that opens out onto the River Fowey below.”
Golitha Falls is especially beautiful in spring, when the forest floor is blanketed with bluebells and wood anemones, while nearby meadows bloom with wildflowers like bugle, white clover and valerian.
It’s just as magical in winter, when heavy rain makes the River Fowey surge and the waterfalls roar even louder.
The stunning woodland recently went viral on TikTok after user @rachelsanderling shared a video from her visit and encouraged others to experience Golitha Falls for themselves.
Rachel said: “Today I visited a temperate rainforest called Golitha Falls. It’s such a lovely ancient woodland near Bodmin Moor. It’s home to over 120 species of moss and has such a peaceful, mystical feel. I hope that comes across in the video.”
Her post quickly became a hit on social media, with thousands of views and likes.
One user commented: “This is stunning! Looks like a fairytale.” Another wrote: “I’ve been here, it’s so beautiful,” while a third added: “This is so wholesome.”
Golitha Falls has also earned hundreds of glowing reviews on TripAdvisor. One visitor said: “A must-visit. My son and I followed the easy paths and soon reached the beautiful waterfall. We could have stayed all day just listening to the water and enjoying the peaceful surroundings.”
Another reviewer wrote: “Spent a lovely hour walking along the river to the falls. There are several marked routes, so you can make it as easy or as challenging as you like.
I’d recommend getting there early though, as the car park was already full by 11:30 on a quiet Sunday morning.”
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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