Orcheton Wood

Wood, Forest in Devon South Hams

England

Orcheton Wood

Orchard Cottage, Holbeton An attractive house in Holbeton village, close to the village hall.
Orchard Cottage, Holbeton Credit: Stephen McKay

Orcheton Wood, located in Devon, is a picturesque and ancient woodland spanning an area of approximately 20 hectares. Situated near the village of Cheriton Bishop, this woodland has a rich history and is well-known for its diverse flora and fauna.

The wood is primarily composed of native broadleaf trees, including oak, beech, ash, and hazel, which create a stunning canopy overhead. These trees provide a habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including birds such as woodpeckers, owls, and warblers, as well as mammals like deer, foxes, and badgers. Orcheton Wood is also home to numerous species of butterflies, insects, and wildflowers, adding to its natural beauty.

The woodland has a network of footpaths and trails, allowing visitors to explore and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. These paths wind through the wood, leading to clearings and glades where visitors can rest and immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere. The wood offers a peaceful retreat and is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, walkers, and photographers.

Orcheton Wood has a long history, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Bronze Age. The wood was once part of a larger forest that covered much of the region, providing resources for the local communities. Today, it remains a valuable woodland ecosystem, protected and managed by conservation organizations to ensure its preservation for future generations to enjoy.

In conclusion, Orcheton Wood in Devon is a beautiful and historic woodland, offering a haven of tranquility and biodiversity. Its ancient trees, diverse wildlife, and peaceful atmosphere make it a cherished natural gem in the region.

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Orcheton Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.326428/-3.9310997 or Grid Reference SX6249. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Orchard Cottage, Holbeton An attractive house in Holbeton village, close to the village hall.
Orchard Cottage, Holbeton
An attractive house in Holbeton village, close to the village hall.
The Drive, Holbeton In the foreground is Holbeton's pet memorial garden established in 2007 and maintained by Holbeton Cottage Garden Society.
The Drive, Holbeton
In the foreground is Holbeton's pet memorial garden established in 2007 and maintained by Holbeton Cottage Garden Society.
View over Holbeton Holbeton village, with a population (in 2011) of about 600, nestles into the South Hams countryside. It is a glorious bank holiday Monday but a tractor is at work in one of the fields; behind that is All Saints' church.
View over Holbeton
Holbeton village, with a population (in 2011) of about 600, nestles into the South Hams countryside. It is a glorious bank holiday Monday but a tractor is at work in one of the fields; behind that is All Saints' church.
Holbeton With its stone thatched cottages Holbeton might have become a tourist hotspot full of tea shops and second homes. In fact, perhaps because it is somewhat off the beaten track with access only via narrow lanes, it still feels like a real village; even on this sunny bank holiday there was hardly anybody about. The village pub (the only establishment open) would probably have preferred a few more visitors.
Holbeton
With its stone thatched cottages Holbeton might have become a tourist hotspot full of tea shops and second homes. In fact, perhaps because it is somewhat off the beaten track with access only via narrow lanes, it still feels like a real village; even on this sunny bank holiday there was hardly anybody about. The village pub (the only establishment open) would probably have preferred a few more visitors.
The Mildmay Colours, Holbeton Until 2019 Holbeton had two pubs but the Dartmoor Union has closed down and in the current climate it is unlikely to reopen. This leaves the oddly named Mildmay Colours which was renamed from the George in the 1960s. Lord Anthony Mildmay of Flete was an amateur jockey who rode in the Grand National and is said to have inspired the Queen Mother's interest in National Hunt racing. The Mildmay family (whose name is also commemorated as Mildmay Park in Islington) made their money through their connection with Barings Bank and acquired the Flete Estate in the Holbeton area.
The Mildmay Colours, Holbeton
Until 2019 Holbeton had two pubs but the Dartmoor Union has closed down and in the current climate it is unlikely to reopen. This leaves the oddly named Mildmay Colours which was renamed from the George in the 1960s. Lord Anthony Mildmay of Flete was an amateur jockey who rode in the Grand National and is said to have inspired the Queen Mother's interest in National Hunt racing. The Mildmay family (whose name is also commemorated as Mildmay Park in Islington) made their money through their connection with Barings Bank and acquired the Flete Estate in the Holbeton area.
Harvested field near Kingston Red trailers can be seen over the hedge in the d-adjacent field - see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6829431">SX6348 : Tractors near Kingston</a> for one of them.
Harvested field near Kingston
Red trailers can be seen over the hedge in the d-adjacent field - see SX6348 : Tractors near Kingston for one of them.
Footpath, Furzedown Wood Kingston footpath 3 winds between bluebells.
Footpath, Furzedown Wood
Kingston footpath 3 winds between bluebells.
Bluebells, Furzedown Wood Kingston footpath 3 drops through the bluebell wood.
Bluebells, Furzedown Wood
Kingston footpath 3 drops through the bluebell wood.
Bluebells, Furzedown Wood From the path shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6829692">SX6247 : Footpath, Furzedown Wood</a>.
Bluebells, Furzedown Wood
From the path shown in SX6247 : Footpath, Furzedown Wood.
Footpath, Furzedown Wood Kingston footpath 3 reaches the southern edge of the wood after a climb.
Footpath, Furzedown Wood
Kingston footpath 3 reaches the southern edge of the wood after a climb.
Footpath, Furzedown Wood Kingston footpath 3 curves downhill through bluebells.
Footpath, Furzedown Wood
Kingston footpath 3 curves downhill through bluebells.
Bluebells, Wrinkle Wood Together with the neighbouring Furzedown Wood, a fine display of Hyacinthoides non-scripta.
Bluebells, Wrinkle Wood
Together with the neighbouring Furzedown Wood, a fine display of Hyacinthoides non-scripta.
Bluebells, Wrinkle Wood Looking right from <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6996392">SX6247 : Bluebells, Wrinkle Wood</a>.
Bluebells, Wrinkle Wood
Looking right from SX6247 : Bluebells, Wrinkle Wood.
Bluebells, Wrinkle Wood Looking across the sloping hillside.
Bluebells, Wrinkle Wood
Looking across the sloping hillside.
Footpath, Wrinkle Wood Kingston footpath 3 takes a diagonal route down the bluebell-swathed hillside.
Footpath, Wrinkle Wood
Kingston footpath 3 takes a diagonal route down the bluebell-swathed hillside.
Bluebells, Wrinkle Wood Looking right from the path shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6996412">SX6247 : Footpath, Wrinkle Wood</a>.
Bluebells, Wrinkle Wood
Looking right from the path shown in SX6247 : Footpath, Wrinkle Wood.
Flowers, Wrinkle Wood A specimen of yellow archangel tucked away amidst the bluebells.
Flowers, Wrinkle Wood
A specimen of yellow archangel tucked away amidst the bluebells.
By the Erme estuary This popular spot is mapped as the eastern end of the ford used by the coast path - see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2731430">SX6147 : Erme estuary</a>. I was hastening to catch the rest of my party, after being thoroughly distracted by the bluebells in Wrinkle Wood; had I looked more closely I would have seen that they were here. Instead I rushed on for a mile or two before concluding that I must have overtaken them.
By the Erme estuary
This popular spot is mapped as the eastern end of the ford used by the coast path - see SX6147 : Erme estuary. I was hastening to catch the rest of my party, after being thoroughly distracted by the bluebells in Wrinkle Wood; had I looked more closely I would have seen that they were here. Instead I rushed on for a mile or two before concluding that I must have overtaken them.
Show me another place!

Orcheton Wood is located at Grid Ref: SX6249 (Lat: 50.326428, Lng: -3.9310997)

Administrative County: Devon

District: South Hams

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///tapes.gushes.cork. Near Modbury, Devon

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