Lent Lilies

The Teign Valley is famous for its wild daffodils. We have some in the Sheldon Copse and appropriately enough the first one came into flower on Ash Wednesday this year. The photo was taken a couple of years ago at Steps Bridge a couple of miles upstream on the river Teign from Sheldon where they bloom in vibrant yellow carpets. The Sheldon Copse is a remnant of ancient oak woodland that would once have covered much of the valley. We are proud to be custodians of a few steep acres as the Teign gorge opens out. We have a light touch management of our woodlands, providing some simple paths so guests can enjoy walking in and around them. Some of the paths are accessible by wheelchair if you go as far as the bridge over the stream by car. We coppice some areas to bring more light onto the woodland floor and encourage the displays of daffodils, bluebells, orchids and wild garlic. Brush is made up into habitat piles which become important homes to a huge variety of fungi, insects and small mammals. The oak trees themselves are also a fascinating bio-diverse ecosystem supporting more life forms than any other native trees. It's a lovely time to visit, so if you can find a few days in your diary during Lent to come and reflect among the Lent Lilies, then you know where we are.