Northcombe Copse

Wood, Forest in Devon Teignbridge

England

Northcombe Copse

Orchid, Stonelands Waste The early purple orchid (Orchis mascula) is much in evidence here this spring.
Orchid, Stonelands Waste Credit: Derek Harper

Northcombe Copse is a picturesque woodland located in the county of Devon, England. Covering an area of approximately 100 acres, this ancient woodland is a haven for nature enthusiasts and offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The copse is predominantly made up of broadleaf trees, including oak, beech, and ash, which provide a rich and diverse habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna. The forest floor is carpeted with bluebells and wild garlic during the spring months, creating a stunning display of color and scent.

Visitors to Northcombe Copse can enjoy a network of well-maintained walking trails that meander through the woodland, allowing for exploration and discovery of the natural wonders that abound. Birdwatchers will delight in the opportunity to spot a variety of species, including woodpeckers, owls, and various songbirds.

In addition to its natural beauty, the copse also plays an important ecological role. It acts as a corridor for wildlife, allowing animals to move freely between different habitats. The diverse range of tree species provides nesting sites for birds and shelter for small mammals.

Northcombe Copse is managed by a local conservation group in collaboration with the Forestry Commission, ensuring its preservation and protection for future generations to enjoy. The copse is open to the public year-round, with no admission fee, making it an accessible and affordable destination for nature lovers of all ages.

Overall, Northcombe Copse offers a peaceful and enchanting woodland experience, inviting visitors to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of this ancient forest in the heart of Devon.

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Northcombe Copse Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.612529/-3.6885663 or Grid Reference SX8080. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Orchid, Stonelands Waste The early purple orchid (Orchis mascula) is much in evidence here this spring.
Orchid, Stonelands Waste
The early purple orchid (Orchis mascula) is much in evidence here this spring.
Orchid, Stonelands Waste A closer view of a specimen of early purple orchid (Orchis mascula) near the twin spikes shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7168147">SX8180 : Orchid, Stonelands Waste</a>.
Orchid, Stonelands Waste
A closer view of a specimen of early purple orchid (Orchis mascula) near the twin spikes shown in SX8180 : Orchid, Stonelands Waste.
White bluebell, Pixey Close I suppose one must call these rare, since this was the only white bloom I noticed among hundreds of thousands of blue bluebells carpeting these woods during this walk, but if they are around, they are very easy to spot!
White bluebell, Pixey Close
I suppose one must call these rare, since this was the only white bloom I noticed among hundreds of thousands of blue bluebells carpeting these woods during this walk, but if they are around, they are very easy to spot!
Fallen trees, Pixey Close They have fallen in opposite directions - or is it one tree that has split? The trunk onn the left has blocked the permissive path through Shaptor Woods, requiring a diversion to duck beneath the trunk on the right; not the only such diversion on this walk.
Fallen trees, Pixey Close
They have fallen in opposite directions - or is it one tree that has split? The trunk onn the left has blocked the permissive path through Shaptor Woods, requiring a diversion to duck beneath the trunk on the right; not the only such diversion on this walk.
Trees across the path, Sunny Copse See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7168215">SX8180 : Fallen trees, Pixey Close</a>; here on a steep slope there is no diversion so these fallen trunks must be scrambled over or crawled under.
Trees across the path, Sunny Copse
See SX8180 : Fallen trees, Pixey Close; here on a steep slope there is no diversion so these fallen trunks must be scrambled over or crawled under.
Rocks in Sunny Copse Something of a tor just off the permissive path through Shaptor Woods.
Rocks in Sunny Copse
Something of a tor just off the permissive path through Shaptor Woods.
Bluebells, Sunny Copse Looking right from close to where <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7168231">SX8080 : Rocks in Sunny Copse</a> was taken, down a steep hillside.
Bluebells, Sunny Copse
Looking right from close to where SX8080 : Rocks in Sunny Copse was taken, down a steep hillside.
Path through bluebells, Sunny Copse The permissive path winds its way up through Shaptor Woods.
Path through bluebells, Sunny Copse
The permissive path winds its way up through Shaptor Woods.
Bluebells and orchids, Pixey Close The number of early purple orchids rivals that of bluebells in this part of the woods.
Bluebells and orchids, Pixey Close
The number of early purple orchids rivals that of bluebells in this part of the woods.
Stile from Shaptor Woods Bovey Tracey footpath 19 leaving the Woodland Trust access woodland beside the sign shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3423955">SX8080 : At the entrance to Shaptor Woods</a> and <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1470252">SX8080 : Shaptor Woods</a>.
Stile from Shaptor Woods
Bovey Tracey footpath 19 leaving the Woodland Trust access woodland beside the sign shown in SX8080 : At the entrance to Shaptor Woods and SX8080 : Shaptor Woods.
Woodland below Shaptor Taken not far beyond the stile shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7243611">SX8080 : Stile from Shaptor Woods</a>, with young and older conifer plantations on the steep hillside above Hawkmoor.
Woodland below Shaptor
Taken not far beyond the stile shown in SX8080 : Stile from Shaptor Woods, with young and older conifer plantations on the steep hillside above Hawkmoor.
Ragwort near Hawkmoor On the right is Bovey Tracey footpath 19.
Ragwort near Hawkmoor
On the right is Bovey Tracey footpath 19.
Walkers near Hawkmoor On Bovey Tracey footpath 19 as it climbs a slope below Gladstone Rock.
Walkers near Hawkmoor
On Bovey Tracey footpath 19 as it climbs a slope below Gladstone Rock.
Footpath to Slade Farm Bovey Tracey footpath 19 heads through a tunnel of trees.
Footpath to Slade Farm
Bovey Tracey footpath 19 heads through a tunnel of trees.
Field near Slade Farm From Bovey Tracey footpath 19. The A382 runs across the image between the hedges and past the central trees. The only wood named on maps is Slade Copse, in the right background.
Field near Slade Farm
From Bovey Tracey footpath 19. The A382 runs across the image between the hedges and past the central trees. The only wood named on maps is Slade Copse, in the right background.
Footpath to Slade Farm Bovey Tracey footpath 19 has changed character here over the last few decades. I remember it as a very muddy path leading through a farmyard; now it runs beside mature trees on the left which hide the farm from view.
Footpath to Slade Farm
Bovey Tracey footpath 19 has changed character here over the last few decades. I remember it as a very muddy path leading through a farmyard; now it runs beside mature trees on the left which hide the farm from view.
Old Guide Stone by Chericombehead, Hennock parish Dartmoor granite guidepost (vertical) by the UC road, in parish of Hennock (Teignbridge District), Chericombehead, at junction of Beadon Lane with Bell Lane and unnamed track, on grass verge in hedge.

Inscription reads:-
North side: TO BRIDFORD
North-west side: TO MORETON
South-east side: TO BOVEY
East side: TO HENNOCK

Grade II listed.
List Entry Number: 1165925 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1165925" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1165925">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>

Surveyed

Milestone Society National ID: DV_XHEN03
Old Guide Stone by Chericombehead, Hennock parish
Dartmoor granite guidepost (vertical) by the UC road, in parish of Hennock (Teignbridge District), Chericombehead, at junction of Beadon Lane with Bell Lane and unnamed track, on grass verge in hedge. Inscription reads:- North side: TO BRIDFORD North-west side: TO MORETON South-east side: TO BOVEY East side: TO HENNOCK Grade II listed. List Entry Number: 1165925 LinkExternal link Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: DV_XHEN03
Notices below Beadon Bridge  There are notices at the start of the public footpath to Hennock via Great Rock. One of the notices, undated, reads:
Great Rock Mine
All the adits are on private land
Access to those on land owned by "The Sargent Trust" is controlled by the Devon & Cornwall Underground Council
Visits to these adits may be arranged through [faded]
Please do not destroy the locks but contact DCUC
There are no access agreements to any of the adits which are on land owned by other landowners. However DCUC is attempting negotiation with these landowners.

The disused Great Rock Mine is in SX8281.
Notices below Beadon Bridge
There are notices at the start of the public footpath to Hennock via Great Rock. One of the notices, undated, reads: Great Rock Mine All the adits are on private land Access to those on land owned by "The Sargent Trust" is controlled by the Devon & Cornwall Underground Council Visits to these adits may be arranged through [faded] Please do not destroy the locks but contact DCUC There are no access agreements to any of the adits which are on land owned by other landowners. However DCUC is attempting negotiation with these landowners. The disused Great Rock Mine is in SX8281.
Show me another place!

Northcombe Copse is located at Grid Ref: SX8080 (Lat: 50.612529, Lng: -3.6885663)

Administrative County: Devon

District: Teignbridge

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///remembers.observer.annoys. Near Bovey Tracey, Devon

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.612529,-3.6885663
Post Box
Brand: Royal Mail
Brand Wikidata: Q638098
Brand Wikipedia: en:Royal Mail
Collection Times: Mo-Fr 16:15; Sa 11:00; Su off
Drive Through: no
Operator: Royal Mail
Operator Wikidata: Q638098
Post Box Mounting: pier
Post Box Type: lamp
Ref: TQ13 138
Royal Cypher: EIIR
Royal Cypher Wikidata: Q33102113
Source: survey;streetlevel imagery;aerial imagery
Lat/Long: 50.6126046/-3.6943648
Woodland Trust Founder
Historic: memorial
Lat/Long: 50.6146717/-3.6827589
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 50.6146992/-3.6881739
Mineshafts and workings
Historic: ruins
Lat/Long: 50.6141548/-3.6871656
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 50.6129618/-3.6942742
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 50.6131367/-3.6946645
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 50.6131848/-3.6947449
Pixey Copse Tor
Ele: 140
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 50.6111581/-3.6830834
Northcombe Copse Tor
Ele: 185
Natural: peak
Source: local knowledge
Lat/Long: 50.6128934/-3.6896716
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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