Westcountry Wildlife Diary

Discover the magic of Wistman's Wood on Dartmoor

Looking up the East Dart Valley to the woods During the first lockdown I enjoyed walking around my local area and taking notice of things I'd never looked at before. There have been many studies into how beneficial nature is for our health, but it's not just about going out... Read more →

Bellever forest is enchanting in the winter time

Bellever forest It’s said that moving home is one of the most stressful life events and I can definitely agree with that. In between unpacking boxes and painting walls I stole a little quiet time on Dartmoor for some fresh air and mental rebalancing. I went to the edge of... Read more →

Discovering fungi on autumnal ambles

Autumn landscape, Devonport Leat Walking among trees has always given me a great sense of peace. There’s a certain stillness to be found in a forest and it engages the senses of sight, smell, sound and touch. I’ve been going on a few woodland walks recently, mostly on Dartmoor, to... Read more →

Wild swimming at Crazywell Pool

Crazywell Pool, Dartmoor While I'd visited Crazywell Pool on Dartmoor many times on walks and thought that it looked like a lovely spot for a wild swim, I hadn't yet done it. So at the end of August, the day dawned with a glorious blue sky and I headed off... Read more →

A walk around Yarner Woods, East Dartmoor

A walk of two landscapes taking in glorious views from Smallacombe Rocks then descending into wonderful woodland. This route was walking in July 2020. Click here to find out more about the wildlife in Yarner Woods. DISTANCE: 6.5 miles (moderate, with one steep descent) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Haytor, Bovey Tracey or... Read more →

Wild Swimming at Tavy Cleave

While I love walking on Dartmoor, I also enjoy doing a spot of wild swimming and there have been a couple on my 'to do' list for while. Tavy Cleave was one of them. It's been on my list a while as getting to it is a bit of a... Read more →

Wild Swimming at Sharrah Pool

Floating on my back I felt the warmth of the sun on my face as the river’s current turned me in slow circles on my lazy drift downstream. A blue damselfly danced in the air inches from my face before joining others along the riverbank. Turning to watch them I... Read more →

Agatha Christie: a visit to her South Devon holiday home

As a lover and writer of crime fiction, Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors and she also loved south Devon, in the South West of England. I'm lucky to live a couple of hours away from her holiday home, Greenway, which is currently managed by the National Trust.... Read more →