UK's Enchanting Rainforest That Feels Like a Movie Set But Haunts With a Ghost Dog

When you come across the term 'rainforest', you could imagine the Amazon in Brazil or the Congo Basin — But did you know that there are rainforests in the UK as well?

Temperate rainforests can be spotted in parts of the UK – these uncommon ecosystems are believed to be at greater risk than many tropical forests.

They’re found on the Western coastlines in the UK – and one in Dartmoor National Park, Devon , was formerly called in a list of Britain’s best ‘off the beaten track’ locations to visit.

Wistman’s Wood, Known as Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve, this area is significant due to its delicate mosses, lichens, heathland, and grassland species.

But there are plenty more reasons to visit…

Within the spooky confines of Wistman’s Wood and its reported hauntings

Subscribe to The Getaway mailing list

Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here .

With oak trees growing in odd directions, alongside granite boulders and wildflowers, a walk through Wistman’s Wood can feel like stepping into an otherworldly fantasy land.

It comes as no shock, perhaps, that guests recount eerie occurrences once night falls.

Several people have reported spotting a 'phantom canine' or catching ghostly murmurs carried by the breeze.

It is told that a furious group of ravenous hellhounds roams the moors after dark, hunting for bewildered wanderers and stranded adventurers. Some say they also stand watch at the portals to Hades.

If that isn’t terrifying enough, there’s another legend about a fellow who tried to cut down one of those old oak trees... But the oaks retaliated, wrapping their roots tightly around the man and squeezing the life out of him. They say you can still hear his screams echoing through the nights.

Nevertheless, this has not deterred visitors from discovering the breathtaking location. The venue boasts many five-star reviews online. TripAdvisor .

A visitor commented that Wistman’s Wood resembled something "directly from a Harry Potter film set," and went on to say, "It's incredibly tranquil here, but do you think it's brave enough to remain past dusk?"

Another viewer compared it to a 'Stephen King cinematic setting,' while another visitor called it 'enchanting and magical.'

Meanwhile, on TikTok One user commented: 'It’s akin to strolling through a setting from The Lord of the Rings'.

Wistman’s Wood has origins dating back thousands of years.

The look and feel of the forest makes it a must-see, but it’s also a historic site.

Wistman’s Wood is a fragment of Dartmoor’s primeval woodland that dates back to approximately 7000 BCE.

Initially blanketed with scrubby oak trees, the woodland has transformed over time and now showcases both newly planted upright oaks as well as its matured elder trees. A number of these venerable oaks are believed to range from 400 to 500 years in age.

The beginnings of what this small piece of oak wood is called are wrapped up in numerous speculations.

Others think it got its name from the Druids believed to have performed rituals in the woods. Consequently, it became known as 'Wise Man's Wood.'

Some argue instead that the name originates from the Old Saxon word 'wis,' which signifies knowledge, or 'Wissman,' meaning 'The Wood of the Sage.'

For those inclined towards a more enigmatic connection, 'Wisht' can imply getting misled by pixies. Folklore portrays these pixies as playful tricksters prone to pranks on visitors unaware of this woodland’s secrets.

Enjoy discovering the UK? Check out these spots

• A British chalk stream has recently been awarded 'personhood' – but what exactly does this entail?
• The most '.walkable' city in the UK has been identified – it's a lively creative center located by the coast.
• 'The "English Mediterranean" island known as Britain's sunniest spot remains under-the-radar for many travelers.'

What is the process for reaching Wistman’s Wood within Dartmoor National Park?

Going to Wistman’s Wood isn’t the simplest journey, and the weather on the moor can shift rapidly and unpredictably—so if you plan to go, make sure you’re ready for every type of condition.

The woodland is situated in the Dart River Valley, an extremely isolated part of Devon's Dartmoor National Park.

It is closest to the area Two Bridges, with the larger tourist hub Princetown – which is home to the National Park Visitor Centre – nearby.

If you're driving to Princetown, expect a roughly one-hour trip from Exeter, or around two hours and 20 minutes from your starting point. Bristol , or a long duration of 4 hours and 30 minutes from London .

According to the official Dartmoor website A compact visitor parking area is located in Two Bridges, directly across from the Two Bridges Hotel. Parking spaces here are quite scarce and should be bypassed during peak hours.

Firstly, the path leading to Wistman’s Wood from the parking area and returning covers approximately 4 kilometers. It is recommended that tourists allocate at least an hour for this round trip hike.

In the end, you wouldn’t want to be trapped here once it gets dark.

The article was initially released in March 2024.

Guidelines for Wistman's Wood

Given that Wistman’s Wood is a significant natural site, we kindly ask visitors to follow these guidelines:

• Don’t walk through the wood or scramble across the rocky boulders, this will destroy the lichens and mosses. Every footstep makes a difference.
• Don’t remove branches or pick lichens and mosses.
• Don’t light fires or barbeques
• Wild camping is not allowed in this area
• Bicycling is prohibited on footpaths and moorlands. Verify where cycling is permitted.
• Make no mark behind, let nature have room

Have a tale you'd like to tell?

Reach out via email travelcheapwithoutmissingoutLifestyleTeam@travelcheapwithoutmissingout.co.uk .

To receive weekly newsletters filled with essential travel tips, stories, and ideas directly in your inbox, subscribe to travelcheapwithoutmissingout’s The Getaway bulletin.