to Forestry Commission home page
to England home page

Eggesford


(Average user rating: unrated unrated)

December 8th, 1919 saw the first trees planted by the newly created Forestry Commission right here, in Flashdown Wood, part of the old Eggesford Estate. By 1956 the Commission had planted one million acres of woodland, an occasion commemorated by a granite stone unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen’s Stone can still be seen in Hilltown Woods picnic area.

All trains must stop at Eggesford Station, as the local landowner made it a condition of releasing the land to build the railway in 1854. "I arrived at Eggesford Station a little after four, and found there Lord Portsmouth's Brougham waiting to take me up to the house, so there was not trouble at all. The scenery here is lovely and the house very handsome." So wrote Thomas Hardy of the area, in 1885.

The forest itself possesses some magnificent Douglas fir, including a veteran on the Eggesford Estate, planted in around 1840. There is also a motte and bailey castle, a scheduled ancient monument that is all that remains of a once imposing Norman fort. The area has an interesting history, and you can find out more on www.enjoyeggesford.co.uk.

Taw Valley Ventures

Taw Valley Ventures is a not for profit organisation based in the Hilltown Wood area of Eggesford Forest and offers leisure courses and events for all ages. For more information phone 01769 581152 and speak to Kate or Jeanne. Visitors are always welcome to drop in for chat.   

How to get there:

Crediton is the nearest town or village.

There are two main woods at Eggesford Forest.

Hilltown Wood

By car

via A377 between Exeter and Barnstaple. The forest entrance is on the A377, 1 mile to the east of Eggesford Station - look for the Forest threshold signs.

By train

the Tarka Line runs between Exeter and Barnstaple. The train stops at Eggesford Station. Follow signs to the Eggesford Gardens and Country Centre and take the Public Footpath past All Saints Church and into Hilltown Wood.

Heywood

By car

via A377 between Exeter and Barnstaple. At Eggesford Station turn off the main A377 to Wembworthy/Winkleigh, turn right at the next junction and at the top of the hill take another right and follow this narrow road to Heywood - look for the Heywood threshold sign.

OS Grid Reference: SS 694106
For details of public transport visit http://www.transportdirect.info

Start your visit from:

Hilltown Car Park
Heywood Car Park

User Comments

I am the commander of the Army Cadet Unit in Crediton. I would be grateful if you could confirm that it would be ok to run a navigation excercise in Haywards Wood as part of their training. The Country Code would be observed but I take it that this wood is open to the public. Where could I get a large scale map of the area ? Thank You

Nigel Cooper , 13/Jan/2012

Please tell us about your visit

Please email us at dean@forestry.gsi.gov.uk if you have an enquiry or would like a reply to your comments.

Email addresses will not be shown

Please help us reduce the amount of spam we receive by entering the following characters in upper or lower case without the quotes into the box below: "DIU"
 

Large Douglas Fir

Facilities and Activities

ParkingToilets
WalkingCyclingHorse RidingHeritage
Cycling
Please note that some areas are sensitive to erosion, and cycling is therefore restricted in those areas - please observe the signs.
HorseRiding.gif
With the exception of bridleways horse riders require a permit to ride in these woods. Please contact the District Office on 01392 832262 for an application form.

Contact:

West England District
-
01594 833057
e-mail: dean@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

What's of interest

At Hilltown you can visit the Queen's stone or go on the red and blue walks (both circular 45 min walks). Alternatively you can take a longer walk that follows public footpath signs and under the public railway line to Eggesford All Saints Church, Garden Centre and Railway Station.

At Heywood there is a one and a half hour circular walk through attractive woodlands that also offers a car park and an opportunity for cycling. The walk takes you past the magnificent Douglas Fir (circa 1840, a veteran of the Eggesford Estate) and other conifers planted early in the Forestry Commission's history. You will also encounter the motte and bailey castle (a scheduled ancient monument with stunning views), all that remains of a once imposing Norman fort.


Useful sites