Horner Wood, Exmoor, Somerset

Covering 800 acres on the Holnicote Estate in Exmoor National Park, Horner Wood is one of the largest ancient oak woodlands in Britain, and without a doubt, one of the most beautiful. This is a sun dappled landscape of centuries old oak pollards, including The General, a magnificent tree that assumes its own character, with splits and hollows that are home to several types of beetle and fungi. Exmoor rivers tumble over moss covered rocks, a group of low growing oaks stand gnarly and twisted as if frozen in time; red deer feed in open glades, bluebells spread their purple carpet in springtime. It’s a magical place is Horner Woods, regardless of the season.

Horner Wood is home to an abundance of flora and fauna, so understandably, it’s a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest as well as a National Nature Reserve; there are over 250 species of lichen, countless invertabrates, and most kinds of British bats. Twitchers should not be without their binoculars, ready to spot pied flycatchers, wood warblers, lesser spotted woodpeckers, redstart and dippers. Parts of the wood are charmingly named after the Acland family it once belonged to - Granny’s Ride Path, Flora’s Ride and Lord Ebrington’s Path; dark combes open onto open heathland with spectacular views over the Vale of Porlock, like Pentley Seat, semi-circular, made of stone.

Several paths meander through the wood, so it’s entirely up to you how far you walk, though most people stick to the 2 mile Ancient Trees Walk. There’s a parking area and a lovely picnic spot beside the river, but if that doesn’t appeal, take yourselves off to one of the tea rooms nearby for a cream tea: freshly baked scones, lashings of homemade jam and clotted cream…

All information correct at the time of writing