Devon - Offwell

The woods at Offwell contain many ponds, a lake and streams, areas of heathland, broadleaves and conifers which provide varied habitats for wildlife. Insects, birds and mammals thrive here making it a great place to spend a day spotting wildlife. More than ten nationally scarce species, including dormice, can be found here. The site is managed as a nature reserve, in partnership with the Offwell Woodland & Wildlife Trust and is also a regionally important centre for environmental education.

HOW TO GET TO OFFWELL
Access to the centre is limited to pedestrian access. (Disabled people may access the centre by car by prior arrangement with the Trust...)
To reach Offwell, from the A35 travelling east out of Honiton, take the first right turn for Offwell. Continue through the village, past the church and school to the Village Hall car park, which is situated on the left hand side of the road. Individual cars may be parked in here and not along the road-side. From the car park, walk back to the church and turn left to follow the road down the hill, past the church. After a few hundred yards and immediately past the last house on the right-hand side of the road, there is a public footpath across a field, also on the right. Access to the Centre is through a kissing gate almost directly opposite.

MAMMALS
Roe deer, badgers, foxes, otters, bats and even mink are known to inhabit this wood.

BIRDS
Kingfishers regularly breed at the Centre. Buzzards and sparrowhawks have also been seen here. The dartford warbler is famous local resident along with nightjars. There is an excellent website for Offwell that gives you all the latest sightings and much more - click here for details: www.countrysideinfo.co.uk

INSECTS, AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES
Many species of dragonfly can be seen around the ponds, including the regionally rare Ruddy Darter Dragonfly. The protected great crested newt is also found here.