Exmoor & Quantocks - Forestry England

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Exmoor & Quantocks - Forestry England

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Enjoy a leisurely stroll along a way marked route, go on a horse ride, discover the forest by bike or visit England's tallest tree.

This page is monitored during office hours. For our social media policy see www.forestryengland.uk/social-media-policy

27/10/2026

Half term is well under way. Please ensure you follow any track closure signs for your own safety.

26/10/2026

What’s on your shoes? There might be more than you think! Tree pests and diseases can hitch a ride in mud and leaf litter.
Protect the trees we love with a quick clean between visits

23/10/2026

**Weather update**

𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 due to high winds until later this evening.

We will begin checking the trails when it is safe to do so. Please bear with us while we inspect many miles of trails. Fallen and leaning trees can be very dangerous, so it’s important that we do this thoroughly before re-opening facilities.

We will be able to reopen once trail checks are complete. Please check our channels before travelling.

During stormy weather, there is always a risk of falling limbs or even uprooted trees. As the trees are still very stressed by the long, hot summer, and the ground remains extremely dry, this first storm of the autumn could bring more risk than usual. If we need to close facilities and trails for your safety, please bear with us while we carry out inspections before re-opening them and consider postponing your visit until the weather is calmer.

22/10/2026

Weather update ⚠️ High winds are forecast tomorrow (Friday 23rd October)

Take extra care if you plan to visit us at any of our sites, and never approach leaning or fallen trees.

Please be aware that 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 at Great Wood for everyone’s safety so check our channels before travelling.

20/10/2026

**🌲𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀**

We're pleased to let you know that 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬. While some forestry work remains to be completed, the area is currently safe to access. We will need to return at a later date to finish operations, and we'll provide further updates when that work is scheduled.

The 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝. All current route closures have now been lifted and these tracks are open for use. As with Ashley Combe, forestry operations will return to the area at a future date, but no further closures are planned at this time.

Our focus is now on completing work around the 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞, as well as the area beyond the top barrier on the one-way system at 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation while these important forestry operations have been taking place. Please continue to follow any signage and instructions on site for your safety.

12/10/2026

Due to ongoing forestry work in Great Wood, we will be closing the Red Route for your safety. This will come into effect starting this week and will be in place for a number of weeks.

You are still welcome to use Great Wood, just use a different route for now. Please follow signs for your own safety.

Thank you!

08/10/2026

A quick update for visitors to Great Wood 🌲

We’ll soon be removing the barbecue stands from the picnic field.

The stands were originally installed to help protect our wooden picnic tables from disposable barbecues. However, Forestry England has since banned barbecues in our forests due to the increasing risk of wildfires.

We kept the stands for a while in the hope they would discourage people from placing barbecues on the tables, but unfortunately they’ve ended up giving a mixed message about whether barbecues are allowed.

After last summer’s extremely hot and dry conditions, we’ve decided it’s time for them to go.

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 – 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲! 🧺🌳
Thank you for helping us protect our beautiful forest. 💚

29/09/2026

Tree pests and diseases can spread naturally, but did you also know they can hitch a ride with us? Hidden in mud on shoes, bikes, and paws, they can travel to new places. Cleaning between visits helps protect the trees we love 💚

28/09/2026

Monday blues? Search 'Forestry England jobs' to check out the roles we're currently hiring🌳

🤳 How about Multimedia Officer? Use your creative flair and video experience to produce high impact content that brings our work to life. Your work will engage our audiences to strengthen Forestry England's reputation, support nature recovery programmes, and drive visitor engagement and income. Closing date 21 October.

🧍‍♂️Or how about Volunteering and Community Engagement Officer? You'll work with our land management and recreation teams to seek out and deliver outstanding volunteering opportunities and support communities to connect with the nation’s forests. Closing date 18 October.

Address

Bridgwater
TA51HJ

Website

https://www.forestryengland.uk/great-wood

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