Join Ruth Saunders on a two-hour guided tour around the valley to see how the landscape at Dittiscombe has changed over the last 25 years, and how the wildlife has benefitted from a hands-off approach.
Rewilding has been at the heart of Dittiscombe since Ruth and Jon became the custodians in 1998. Using a hands-off approach 20-acres of post-agricultural land has been gifted back to nature. The recovery, with all the natural processes taking over, has been astonishingly fast.
The landscape has changed from sterile and unloved fields to a mosaic of habitats: ponds and bogs, scrapes and silt traps, streams and rills, woodland and hazel coppice, hedgerows, scrubland and meadows, and the cottage gardens. The whole site is filled with a variety of wildlife, a sanctuary in a fragmented landscape, and is also a place of peace and recuperation for family, friends, guests and visitors.
Visit https://dittiscombe.co.uk/gardens-woodland-rewilding/ to find out more.
Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykl3d7r-ku0 for more info on their rewilding effort.
Please note that the route does involve some hill walking and uneven ground but nothing too strenuous. Please bring suitable clothing and appropriate footwear (walking boots or wellies if wet weather).
Facilities:
There is parking available on-site at Dittiscombe. Toilet facilities will be available at the start and end of the walk. Refreshments (tea and cake) will be provided.
Getting there:
Dittiscombe Estate & Cottages is located 1.5 miles northwest of Slapton Village in the South Hams area of South Devon.
The nearest postcode is TQ7 2QF. Continue past the Equestrian Centre and head down the private lane for 0.2 miles. There you will find the farmhouse and gravel car park.
What 3 words: ballpoint.widget.juggles
More detailed directions can be found at the following webpage: https://dittiscombe.co.uk/directions-to-dittiscombe/.
All proceeds from ticket sales will contribute to the future funding of DRN.
