Wistman's Wood.

One of the highlights of this years holiday for me was the walk to Wistman’s Wood. We tend to give walks a rating; it needs to be suitable terrain for all o us to complete without wailing, have a river, a view, a bit of a climb, a destination, a myth, x factor and a few other things that have escaped my head temporarily. (it’s a fairly loose based list, we make it up as we go along). This walk scored very highly though 🙂

There were boggy bits to scramble through (but only enough to squelch not sink!) due to much rain, rocks to clamber on, a river to ooooh at and a style to climb. This walk was recommended to me by James, who owns our holiday cottage, and was just lovely, perfect in every way for our family. The walk to and from the wood, perhaps 3/4 miles in total, was just enough for the legs in our amply and carrying a baby in a sling. (I did see a stranded buggy at one point though!)

Started off a bit like this (although this photo is the way home again) and carries on like this.

With a air bit of this for mummy’s with slings.

There were paths of granite lumps to hop across, for obligatory island and adventure games and places to stop for photos.

When we finally arrived at the wood, it was an amazing, mysterious place. A real grove of stunted oak trees covered in a percukiar lichen. Maddy and Josie delved deep into the wood, clambering over moss covered rocks.

I sat with Bene and fed him while ran nursed the woods of slipping off a boulder into a puddle. The view was just so peaceful and amazing. I must look at Maddys photos, as she took loads.

I was thinking at the time it would be a fab night walk with a full moon but having since read the Dartmoor legend of the Wistman Hell Hounds, I’m not so sure any more!