Dunsford

Set alongside the River Teign on the western edge of Dartmoor, Dunsford nature reserve offers varied wildlife and scenery. Large areas of oak and woodland glades make up a mosaic of habitats which supports an abundance of wildlife from butterfly to bluebells, fallow deer to pied flycatchers. The wooded valley is dominated almost exclusively by sessile oak which is a relic of abandoned coppice. Dunsford is mainly composed of sessile oak woodland most of which has been coppiced in the past. This was carried out to produce bark which was essential for leather production. The timber was also used for charcoal production, this took place on flattened hearths which can still be clearly seen on the hill side. These woods would have been a valuable commodity and as a result extensively worked, at present it is not economically viable to do so. Visitors to the site may be fortunate enough to see an otter or kingfishers along the Teign, or badgers in the wood.