The Wilderness

Wood, Forest in Devon Torridge

England

The Wilderness

Mouthmill Beach
Mouthmill Beach Credit: Mark Percy

The Wilderness, located in Devon, England, is a picturesque wood and forest that offers visitors a serene and captivating natural experience. Covering an area of approximately 100 hectares, this enchanting wilderness is a haven for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.

The landscape of The Wilderness is characterized by a diverse range of woodland habitats, including ancient oak and beech trees, as well as areas of dense undergrowth and wildflower meadows. The forest is crisscrossed by a network of well-maintained trails, allowing visitors to explore its hidden corners and discover its abundant flora and fauna.

The Wilderness is home to a rich variety of wildlife, making it a popular spot for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. Visitors may catch sight of elusive species such as deer, badgers, foxes, and a wide array of bird species, including woodpeckers, owls, and warblers. The forest also boasts a vibrant insect population, with butterflies and dragonflies flitting between the trees and wildflowers.

For those seeking a more immersive experience, The Wilderness offers camping facilities, allowing visitors to spend a night under the stars and wake up to the sounds of nature. The serene atmosphere and breathtaking scenery make it an ideal location for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers alike.

With its tranquil ambiance and spectacular natural beauty, The Wilderness in Devon provides a captivating escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, inviting visitors to reconnect with nature and experience the wonders of the British countryside.

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The Wilderness Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.012563/-4.4256798 or Grid Reference SS2926. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Mouthmill Beach
Mouthmill Beach
View to Clovelly Court View to Clovelly Court from the South West Coast Path.
View to Clovelly Court
View to Clovelly Court from the South West Coast Path.
The South West Coast Path, near Clovelly Court The South West Coast Path passing through woodland near Clovelly Court.
The South West Coast Path, near Clovelly Court
The South West Coast Path passing through woodland near Clovelly Court.
The coast path near Clovelly The South West Coast Path passing through woodland near Clovelly.
The coast path near Clovelly
The South West Coast Path passing through woodland near Clovelly.
Angel Wings, near Clovelly The Angel Wings is a folly on the coast path to the west of Clovelly, it was carved by a former butler from Clovelly Court in the early 19th century. It was built for Sir James Hamlyn Williams, a former owner of Clovelly. It was located here so that he could look across Bideford Bay to where his daughter, Lady Chichester, lived at Youlston.  The structure is Grade II listed.  My GPS reading differs slightly to the one given by Historic England.

Historic England description
Seat with canopy. Wooden dateplaque to S.:"1826" restored "1934 by Boon Bros. Boatbuilders of Northam. Wooden structure with a pyramidal shingled roof which is bellcast, lead flashing at the angles and apex, capped by a large stone ball finial. Square on plan. Central tapering square pillar with floral carving on each face, at the base of the pillar a slatted wooden bench; the pillar supports the roof principally on 4 large curving struts carved like the wings of angels, further uncarved cusped strusts set above; soffit with carved angel busts in relief. Situated on the edge of the cliffs with wide views out to sea. An unusual romantic structure, part of the landscaped park created by Sir James Hamlyn in the late C18/early C19 around Clovelly Court. Source: W G Hoskins, Devon, P370; Private archive at Clovelly Court.
Source: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1165473" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1165473">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Angel Wings, near Clovelly
The Angel Wings is a folly on the coast path to the west of Clovelly, it was carved by a former butler from Clovelly Court in the early 19th century. It was built for Sir James Hamlyn Williams, a former owner of Clovelly. It was located here so that he could look across Bideford Bay to where his daughter, Lady Chichester, lived at Youlston. The structure is Grade II listed. My GPS reading differs slightly to the one given by Historic England. Historic England description Seat with canopy. Wooden dateplaque to S.:"1826" restored "1934 by Boon Bros. Boatbuilders of Northam. Wooden structure with a pyramidal shingled roof which is bellcast, lead flashing at the angles and apex, capped by a large stone ball finial. Square on plan. Central tapering square pillar with floral carving on each face, at the base of the pillar a slatted wooden bench; the pillar supports the roof principally on 4 large curving struts carved like the wings of angels, further uncarved cusped strusts set above; soffit with carved angel busts in relief. Situated on the edge of the cliffs with wide views out to sea. An unusual romantic structure, part of the landscaped park created by Sir James Hamlyn in the late C18/early C19 around Clovelly Court. Source: W G Hoskins, Devon, P370; Private archive at Clovelly Court. Source: LinkExternal link
Cliffs below Galantry Bower A vertiginous spot above near vertical cliffs viewed from the South West Coast Path near Galantry Bower.  The headland ends with Blackchurch Rock which is just visible below the end of the cliff.
Cliffs below Galantry Bower
A vertiginous spot above near vertical cliffs viewed from the South West Coast Path near Galantry Bower. The headland ends with Blackchurch Rock which is just visible below the end of the cliff.
View back towards Clovelly View back towards Clovelly from the South West Coast Path near Gallantry Bower.
View back towards Clovelly
View back towards Clovelly from the South West Coast Path near Gallantry Bower.
Another showery day on the bridleway near Court Farm, Clovelly
Another showery day on the bridleway near Court Farm, Clovelly
Clovelly Court Garden Wonderful views.
Clovelly Court Garden
Wonderful views.
Clovelly Court Lodge at the entrance to the church and house.
Clovelly Court
Lodge at the entrance to the church and house.
Clovelly Church All Saints.
Clovelly Church
All Saints.
Clovelly : B3237 Looking along the B3237.
Clovelly : B3237
Looking along the B3237.
Clovelly : B3237 Looking along the B3237.
Clovelly : B3237
Looking along the B3237.
Clovelly : Clovelly Court Entrance Looking to the entrance to Clovelly Court.
Clovelly : Clovelly Court Entrance
Looking to the entrance to Clovelly Court.
Clovelly : B3237 Looking along the B3237.
Clovelly : B3237
Looking along the B3237.
Church at Clovelly Court
Church at Clovelly Court
Sharp bend on the B road out of Clovelly
Sharp bend on the B road out of Clovelly
South-west Coast Path above Clovelly
South-west Coast Path above Clovelly
Show me another place!

The Wilderness is located at Grid Ref: SS2926 (Lat: 51.012563, Lng: -4.4256798)

Administrative County: Devon

District: Torridge

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///reform.statement.profile. Near Northam, Devon

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.012563,-4.4256798
Barrier: kissing_gate
Bicycle: yes
Foot: yes
Stile: stepover
Lat/Long: 51.0114521/-4.4292383
Mouth Mill
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 51.0131971/-4.4276792
Shelter
The Cottage
Shelter Type: basic_hut
Lat/Long: 51.012956/-4.4249415
Blackchurch Rock
Tourism: attraction
Lat/Long: 51.0138926/-4.4264241
Blackchurch Rock
Natural: rock
Lat/Long: 51.0139685/-4.4264414
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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