Bellever Forest — Attraction in West Devon

Bellever Woods has a lot to offer, be it hiking, taking the family for a picnic or even a spot of Wild camping it's all here. The scenery is stunning with a mix of managed pine forest, open moorland and water with an ancient clapper bridge . There is a good size car park (£3 for the day) with toilets and picnic benches. Access to the river from the car park is good and can be done with pushchairs or wheelchairs if you pick the right spot. Although you cannot camp in the forest itself due to the obvious fire risk you can camp across the river on flat open grassland. Bins are also on site so no excuses for leaving the place in a mess when you go home. The river is shallow and free following which is great for the kids to play and paddle in. Having been a couple of times it does seem to be a popular place so if your looking for a place of solitude it may be worth going elsewhere to lose yourself. Starting From Bellever that won't be to hard as you can head to Laughter Tor or Bellever Tor which is...

'BELLEVER WOODS'..

Park the car in the woods, have a picnic, or just relax and listen to the wild birds.

'GREY WAGTAILS', 'ROBINS' and 'WRENS', 'BUZZARDS'. Adjacent to the 'RIVER DART' which will lead you down to 'DARTMEET', which has an 'ANCIENT STONE BRIDGE'. that you can also find at 'BELLEVER' and at 'POSTBRIDGE'.

Walk up from the car park at 'BELLEVER', to 'BELLEVER TOR', with scenic views toward 'WISTMANS WOOD', you can see the 'MAJESTIC HAYTOR' in the opposite direction.

'TOADS and FROGS' frequent the marsh grasses along 'THE DART', to deposit their young, even under a cover of ice.

The gurgling bubbles of the 'RIVER DART' add to the 'COLORFUL AUDIO AMBIANCE' of the area.

A line of 'COTTAGES' not far away make another 'PHOTOGRAPH'.

Take any road to explore the rest of 'DARTMOOR' and remember,

'PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY', for the 'WILDLIFE', 'THE ICONIC DARTMOOR FOALS and...

No clear signage on the tracks of distance or where to walk to do a loop. No clear loop?

No defined tracks through the forest itself so be prepared to walk up hills in direct sunlight in summer.

No good if pushing a wheelchair as rough tracks and mostly uphill. You’ll be fine if just want to sit by the river though… gets busy.

Car park extremely expensive at £3.30 for two hours!

I was disappointed and didn’t see what all the fab reviews were about . Lovely nature to picnic by the river but as for walking, had no idea where was going and very disappointed couldn’t walk through the forest itself rather than on...