Projects › Bishops Wood

The land at Birch Lane, Morchard Bishop was acquired by co2balance in 2004 after a lengthy selection procedure. The land had previously been sown with a typical pasture seed mix and had been managed in such a way as to produce a monoculture that did little for biodiversity. Afforestation of the land is now over 65% complete with significant biodiversity gains already in evidence. Badgers have returned to the land following the removal of fencing that had been placed over setts; mice have recolonised the longer grass and have drawn in kestrels and other birds of prey.

The land and trees will remain in the ownership of co2balance and will be managed for the benefit of clients, the climate, the environment and the local community in perpetuity

DIRECTIONS TO BISHOPS WOOD, MORCHARD BISHOP, DEVON

These directions are intended to make it easy to visit the co2balance woodland ‘Bishops Wood’ near Morchard Bishop in Devon. The woodland is open daily from 10am-4pm except by prior arrangement.

On arrival at the woodland, please remember this is a sensitive area intended for wildlife and community use. Please close all gates, be as quiet as possible and take all litter home. Dogs are allowed if kept under strict control.

Directions from M5 Motorway

Bishops Wood Location Map

M5 Junction 27 (from North or South) - Leave motorway at junction and follow the signs for A361 Tiverton/Barnstaple.
A361 - Follow the A361 towards Tiverton until you reach a roundabout at the end of the dual carriage way.
At the roundabout take the 1st exit signposted Tiverton/Withleigh
At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit signposted Town Centre
At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit signposted Town Centre
At the next roundabout (Morrisons Supermarket) take the 2nd exit signposted other routes
At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit signposted Witherleigh
Continue forward on the B3137 for 40yds and turn left signposted Witherleigh
Continue along the road for approx. 5½ miles before you need to turn off.
On route you should pass through Withleigh and pass Harris Motors on your right.
Turn left at the signpost for Puddington & Black Dog and continue forward (please drive carefully and slowly, this is a very windy road used by farm vehicles)
At Puddington drive slowly through the village, around a sharp right hand bend and continue forward following signs to Black Dog.
Arrive at Black Dog (Past the Black Dog Inn - recommended for lunch or a drink!) and at the cross roads go forward signposted Morchard Bishop
Continue forward following signs to Morchard Bishop
Arrive at Morchard Bishop with the Church on your left and Primary School to the right. PLEASE DRIVE VERY SLOWLY THROUGH THE VILLAGE.
Continue forward to the T-junction and turn right signposted Ellington/Lapford
Continue to bottom of hill around left hand bend
Continue forward and bear left at post box
Take the next left hand turn up a dead end road
Up the top of the hill, you will see a gate to your left (almost behind you), open the gate and reverse into the field to park. Please close the gate after you and close when leaving.
We hope you found Bishops Wood easily and safely, please enjoy your visit.

Morchard Bishop
 
Morchard Bishop is a pleasant, rambling village with a population of just under a thousand. The parish is large, with a few hamlets and many farms, mainly dairy.

Its history can be traced back to Celtic times when there was a settlement in or near the “Great Wood”, the meaning of “Morchet”. Archaeological excavations have revealed an Iron Age settlement in the south west of the parish. In 1166, Morchard was purchased from the Crown by the Bishop of Exeter, and from then became known as Bishop’s Morchard.

Morchard Bishop is situated in the centre of Devon which makes it an ideal base for exploring the whole of this beautiful county.

The Two Moor Way links with the Erme-Plym Trail from Ivybridge to Wembury in South Devon to form a 117-mile trail linking the north and south coasts of Devon and crossing Exmoor and Dartmoor on the way. Call in at local Tourist Information Centres or at the Morchard Bishop shop or the London Inn for further information.

You can find more information from the Morchard Bishop website.

Bishops Wood: an Artist’s Impression

This is an artist’s impression of how the co2balance community wood at Morchard Bishop will mature. The red heart featured is planted with copper beech trees and is available for premium gifts to loved ones especially for Valentine’s Day. (Click image for larger view.)

 

Bishops Wood July 2007

After a very wet summer the trees at Bishops wood are looking very fit and healthy with many of them now over 3 metres tall

Bishops Wood March 2006 Tree Plant

The end of March 2006 with the weather conditions favourable for planting was chosen for the Annual Winter tree plant. Jon and Scott from Loose-Fit Sa a local Devon Surf Company came down and helped with the planting.. (Click image for larger view.)

Bishops Wood tree plant, winter, November 2004

Now that the weather and temperature are suitable for planting, co2balance have carried out the first of the season’s tree planting sessions. The weekend of 27th November 2004 saw an additional 400+ traditional English broadleaved trees added to the existing stock in Bishops Wood, Devon. (Click image for larger view.)

Bishops Wood tree plant, winter, early 2004

The Bishops Wood plantation is located on recently-acquired improved pasture land. That means that it has been historically managed to produce a good growth of grass for grazing and nothing else. The use of pesticides and fertilisers together with intensive grazing has inhibited the growth of indigenous meadow flowers and the establishment of other competing forms of wildlife. The plantation consists purely of deciduous species that are native to Britain. Given that the wider area is known to support populations of deer, all trees are planted in shelters of an appropriate height to prevent damage caused by browsing. (Click image for larger view.)

Bishops Wood Location Map