02 ESCAPE TO A WILD WATERSIDE
Bystock Nature Reserve, Devon | 6 miles | 3.5 hours | Easy–moderate
This popular reserve’s peaceful pools and vibrant meadows offer a sanctuary for dragonflies, songbirds and sunbathing adders, says nature writer Sophie Pavelle
Bystock Nature Reserve and its mosaic of lily ponds, heaths and open meadows sits on the doorstep of the Jurassic Coast. Of the 50 reserves managed by Devon Wildlife Trust, it remains a firm favourite among visitors and Devonians alike.
Explore the heart of this wild reserve, take a stroll through the picturesque village of East Budleigh, and then end the day with a view of adventurer and writer Sir Walter Raleigh’s birthplace.
1 DAZZLED BY DRAGONS
Begin your walk at Bystock Nature Reserve’s north entrance car park, and head downhill across the field to a wooden gate. Follow the path to the right through some woodland until you see a boardwalk, then bear left uphill before descending to the famous Bystock pools.
The creeping warmth of summer attracts over 20 species of dragonfly and damselfly to the waters to breed. From the boardwalk, it’s easy to spot the emperor, downy emerald and golden-ringed dragonflies, as well as the small red damselfly. Take your time as you follow the walkway to a large pool of water lilies.
Bystock’s proximity to heathland, meadows and woodland creates an oasis for over 30 species of butterfly. In May, the conditions are ideal for the small pearl-bordered, dark green and silver-washed fritillaries, which can be seen in the surrounding copses and meadows.
Naturally, this invertebrate activity invites a variety of birds to Bystock’s heaths, including the rare nightjar – listen out for its churring calls on a summer evening. The benches along this stretch offer a peaceful picnic spot to watch dragonflies, as well as stonechats and kingfishers.
As you walk up through the nature reserve to a lane, enjoy spectacular views across to Pebblebed Heaths – a special area of conservation for over 140 bird species, such as the Dartford warbler, hobby and long-eared owl. On warmer days, look out for adders sunbathing in the rough undergrowth.
2 WATER AND WOODS
Turn left along the lane and shortly after bear right on to a footpath,
following the yellow markers to keep Squabmoor Reservoir on your right. At the dam, continue down through a field into a wood, then veer right on to a track, then left on to a lane at Dalditch Farm. After Brookside Cottage, take the track on the left, walk 300m, then turn left again.
3 RHYTHM OF SUMMER
After another 300m, bear right after a waymarker and then, at a fork in the path, turn left. As you ascend along the edge of the wood, listen for great spotted woodpeckers drumming their spring and summertime rhythms. Follow the markers straight along a grassy path until a clearing and turn left to cross a stile down to the bottom of the field. Go through two gates and over a stile. Yellow markers lead you over Hayeswood Lane to another stile, before turning left on to a footpath to reach Hayes Lane.
4 WALTER’S BIRTHPLACE
Turn right past the free car park into East Budleigh – the small village is a stone’s throw from the stunning
Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. If you’re after some mid-ramble refreshments, drop into the Sir Walter Raleigh pub for good food and local ales.
Return the way you came, then continue straight on up Hayes Lane for about one mile until you reach Hayes Barton. Built in around 1484, this attractive private house is the birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh. 5 BACK TO BYSTOCK
Walk another half-mile and bear left at a T-junction. Take a right at the next junction, turning left after nine metres to join a path parallel to the road. Go left when the path forks, passing some quarry workings to your right. Rejoin the road after around 100 metres, then turn right and return to Bystock Reserve’s north car park.