Aerial walkway

The aerial walkwayThe aerial walkway enables all visitors to gain a bird’s eye view of the woodland and ponds below. The pond adjacent to the aerial walkway was discovered in 2001 – it had become overgrown and covered with rhododendron which hid it entirely from view. The rhododendron and alder was removed and the pond restored.

The walkway, unique to the south west, follows a 90 metre long route through the lower canopy of the woodland. The woods consist of a wide diversity of plant and animal life; the average oak tree supports hundreds of different species of invertebrate, saprophytic plants and many mammals including the elusive dormouse.

On your trip along the boardwalk you may be lucky enough to see marsh tit, nuthatch, sparrow hawk and great-spotted woodpecker. During the summer evenings a wide range of bat species including daubentons, noctule, and the rare greater horseshoe could be seen accompanied by the hoots of the tawny owl. Squirrels, foxes and roe deer are all residents and can be seen throughout the year.

Engravings of animals on aerial walkwayAll along the boardwalk there are large carved wooden boards which give every visitor greater insight into what they are observing. The larger boards have been made from sawn solid macrocarpa (also known as Monterey cypress and pencil pine).

The winners of a children’s poetry and art competition, held during the summer of 2003, have had their work routed into the sweet chestnut handrail. The handrail also incorporates fun games; visit the Park and see if you can lead the acorn to safety or match the bird to its missing beak!

A family on the aerial walkwayThe walkway is wheelchair-friendly and has level sections with benches so that visitors can appreciate the wildlife and views. There have been bird and bat boxes erected to enhance the wildlife value of the location, along with bird feeders.

The only restrictions are that young children and dogs are to be kept under close control and no riding of bicycles, thank you.

The structure of the aerial walkway was designed and constructed by Devon County Council; the interpretation was designed by Greenspace and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.