This beautiful woodland has been named among the best in Europe
This stunning woodland is located in Dartmoor(Image: Getty)
One of Britain’s last remaining ancient temperate rainforests has been recognised amongst Europe’s most enchanting forest trails this summer. Wistman’s Wood, nestled within Dartmoor, secured third place on the list thanks to its remote location, centuries-old dwarf oak trees and captivating woodland scenery.
Travel specialists at Avis examined lesser-known European forests with Perućica Rainforest, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, claiming the top position and Spain’s Otzarreta Forest taking second place.
Though Wistman’s Wood was the sole British entry, it’s easy to see why this breathtaking location earned its spot.
Located just 31 miles from Exeter Airport, Wistman’s Wood offers convenient access for those exploring Devon.
The forest’s remarkable 500-year-old dwarf oaks have been twisted into gnarled, moss-draped shapes through centuries of Atlantic weather, emerging from a carpet of lichen-clad granite rocks.
The area feels more like a concealed treasure than a typical woodland, offering rewards to those who value ambience, legend and untamed scenery over picture-perfect vantage points.
Writing on Tripadvisor, one recent guest to the woodland commented: “Stunning ancient woodland that will make you feel like you are in a fairytale. A must-visit place. A lovely and easy walk from a small car park opposite the Two Bridges Hotel.
“The woodland is hidden in the fields, you cannot see it from the main road. It roughly takes one hour to reach it from the car park. We visited in autumn on a rainy day, and still, it was magical. This is one of the most unique woodlands you can find in the UK.”
A further visitor enthused: “The wood was fun, the lichen hung like Hagrid’s beard. The sights were astonishing and we saw loads of cows and sheep. I would recommend it to everybody.”
Against its otherworldly scenes of ancient woodland, rustic bridges, snowdrops, and spiralling rivers, is a landscape that has attracted worldwide attention and featured in mega movies
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The incredible UK area is made up of around 27,000 acres of ancient woodland(Image: Getty Images)
You don’t need a ticket to Hollywood to immerse yourself in movie magic, but simply a visit to a UK ancient woodland.
Situated between the Rivers Wye and Severn in Gloucestershire and on the Welsh border, is the enchanting Forest of Dean, one of England’s largest ancient woodlands. It’s made up of around 27,000 acres of towering forest, with a fairytale-like atmosphere, and was once a medieval royal hunting ground.
Rich in heritage, the woodland previously served as a vital timber supply for Tudor warships, before transforming into industrial terrain for coal mines, ironworks and tramways. It became England’s first National Forest Park in 1938, and today it’s a renowned area of spectacular beauty, set against a serene backdrop, that attracts hundreds of visitors for a day out or weekend escape.
There are scenic views of the River Wye from Symonds Yat Rock, the Clearwell Caves that are 100ft beneath the forest, winding cycling and walking trails, and an array of activities on offer.
Forest Ranger for Forest Holidays, Gerry O’Brien, exclusively told the Mirror: “The Forest of Dean was used where Harry and Hermione were camping in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.”
In the movie, Hermione also recalls memories of a holiday to the Forest of Dean with her parents. Symonds Yat and Coppett Hill, near Goodrich, were also featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, along with the forest pool where Harry retrieved Gryffindor’s sword.
Sharing an insight into the area, Gerry said: “If you’re looking down from Symonds Yat Rock, with the River Wye below you, you can look out over Copper Hill and on the other side, it’s the woodland where Harry Potter was filmed.”
But there’s another notable credit that the Forest of Dean holds. The Ranger at Forest of Dean added: “If you go to Symonds Yat East, it’s a little hamlet by the river, it’s beautiful and really picturesque. But you walk right past the house that was used in the Netflix series, Sex Education.
“It’s the red house, so all of that was filmed in and along the Wye Valley. There are a lot of hidden gems around the Forest of Dean. They’ve done alot of movies and TV work around the forest.”
Living amongst the Hollywood fame, the Forest of Dean has a diverse wildlife of free-roaming fallow deer, Pine martens, beavers, foxes and badgers, and is a favourite among birdwatchers. It’s also home to England’s largest wild boar population, earning it the nickname “wild boar capital of the UK”; yet visitors will be relieved to hear that they typically forage at dawn and dusk.
Thanks to its remarkable terrain, the ancient woodland has become a popular spot for those looking to explore nature, with its collection of winding footpaths and trails, tranquil lakes and ponds, nestled among the woodland. To experience this enchanting part of the world, many opt for a stay at Forest Holidays in the Forest of Dean, which offers a collection of lodges, cabins and treehouses, some with outdoor hot tubs to soak under the towering trees. Meanwhile the likes of Sykes Holiday Cottages and Holidaycottages.co.uk both also offer various stays in the region.
For something extra enchanting, the beautiful Puzzlewood woodland is a must-visit. Nestled in the heart of the Forest of Dean, it offers 14 acres of twisting, moss-covered trees, rustic wooden bridges, and snowdrops decorating the rugged ground, and is often tipped as being one of the region’s most beautiful spots.
This otherworldly feel has meant it’s also enjoyed some Hollywood spotlight, serving as a location for the likes of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Secret Garden, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Doctor Who, Merlin, Netflix’s Our Planet and BBC’s Atlantis.
It was even named in Big 7 Travel’s ’50 Most Beautiful Places in the UK’ list for 2025 and again this year. Noting its characteristics that are used so widely as a film location, Big 7 Travel said: “Gnarled wooden trees, ancient wooden bridges and mossy mounds all create the perfect atmosphere for a fantasy novel setting.”
But that’s not all. Puzzlewood is also believed to have been an inspiration for Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings series, including Mirkwood and the Old Forest. The magical woodland is also said to have influenced JK Rowling, for the Forbidden Forest featured in the Harry Potter franchise.
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