Natural England - East Dartmoor: why visit?

East Dartmoor: why visit?

This beautiful reserve lies just a stone’s throw from the iconic Haytor Rocks, and straddles both the high open moors and lower wooded valleys of Dartmoor National Park.

It’s made up of three joined but distinct areas; Yarner Wood, Trendlebere Down and the valley of the River Bovey, and in all covers over 345 ha of some of England’s most dramatic scenery.

The reserve is internationally important for its extensive ancient upland oak wood, heathland and mires. These habitats support a great range of plants and animals; from abundant species like the great-spotted woodpecker to the rare blue ground beetle and Barbastelle bat.

Not surprisingly, the reserve is legally protected as a Special Area of Conservation and Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Yarner Wood was purchased by the Nature Conservancy in 1952 and has the distinction of being England’s first National Nature Reserve. Subsequent purchases by Natural England’s other predecessors have created a much expanded area now known as the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve.