Wistman's Wood, one of the UK's last ancient temperate rainforests, has been named among Europe's most magical forest walks this summer. The Dartmoor woodland came third on a list compiled by travel experts at Avis, who analysed search demand, social media presence, tree age estimates, and proximity to airports.
Topping the list was Perućica Rainforest in Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by Spain's Otzarreta Forest. Wistman's Wood was the only UK entry, praised for its secluded setting and 500-year-old dwarf oak trees contorted by centuries of Atlantic exposure.
Located just 31 miles from Exeter Airport, the woodland attracts 18,100 monthly searches but only 5,000 Instagram posts, making it feel like a hidden relic. Visitors describe it as a fairytale landscape with lichen-covered granite boulders and a mystical atmosphere.
One Tripadvisor reviewer wrote: 'Stunning ancient woodland that will make you feel like you are in a fairytale. A must-visit place.' Another added: 'The wood was fun, the lichen hung like Hagrid's beard.'
