Woodland wander
This is a gentle circular walk through ancient oak woodlands, beside the beautiful River Plym. Within the woods are remains of the area’s industrial past and there are breathtaking views across the valley from the viaduct. Along the way you may see kingfishers, sea trout, dippers, peregrine falcon, deer and other wildlife.
Map
Start:
Plymbridge Woods car park, grid ref SX524585
1
From the car park walk up the incline, passing the new railway platform built by Plym Valley Railway. Go over the bridge onto the tarmac path.
Western oak woodland
Plymbridge is a typical example of the western oak woodland found around the Dartmoor fringes. The tree canopy is almost entirely oak as a result of past management practices that favoured its use for ship building, pit props and charcoal burning. Most of the trees have undergone a process called coppicing, where they get cut close to ground level leaving stumps which are left to re-sprout. They then get cut again when the new growth reaches the desired size. This accounts for the multi-stemmed growth form that is still visible within parts of the woodland.
2
Walking along the track look down to the canal below. It was constructed in 1829 to transport slate from the quarry using box-shaped barges pulled by horses.
3
After walking under a stone bridge on the right you'll see the ruins of railway cottages, built to house quarry workers. The buildings were converted to a single cottage at the beginning of the 20th century.
Living at the quarry
The now ruined railway cottages, originally built for quarry workers, were first mentioned in 1795 in a lease for Cann Quarry. In 1896, Edward Gullett, the tenant of Cann Quarry, converted the two remaining cottages into one large home for his family. Behind the cottages were a range of pig sties and around the front and sides were gardens where tea was served to day trippers.
4
Continue along the track onto the viaduct at Cann Quarry, which was built in 1907 to replace an earlier version engineered by Augustus Bampton and Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The stone bases of the original can still be seen.
5
Look up from the viaduct through the telescopes and you might just see the resident peregrine falcons on a ledge above you. Their breeding season is from March to July.
6
Retrace your steps and turn left before the railway cottages. Go down the flight of steps and in front of you are the remains of a wheel house. The huge wheel was driven by water, providing power to the cottages.
7
Pass under the viaduct and turn left onto a narrow path beside the River Plym. The path will move away from the river and follow the canal.
8
At the end of the track, go under the stone bridge and through the kissing gate. Opposite is the car park from where you started.
9
We hope that you really enjoyed this one-mile walk. The National Trust looks after some of the most spectacular areas of countryside for the enjoyment of all. We need your support to help us continue our work to cherish the countryside and provide access to our beautiful and refreshing landscapes. To find out more about how you too can help our work as a volunteer, member or donor please visit our homepage.
End:
Plymbridge Woods car park, grid ref SX524585
