Wistman's Wood is one of three remote copses of high altitude, stunted oaks on Dartmoor (the others being Black Tor Copse and Piles Copse). It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, is 1,300 to 1,400 feet above sea level, and consists of mainly of stunted pedunculate oak trees that grow from between moss-covered boulders and are festooned with mosses, lichens and ferns. Amongst the oaks there are also some rowan, holly and willow trees. It lies on the slopes of the West Dart River, some 1 and ½ miles north from Two Bridges, above the valley are Beardown Tors, Longaford Tor and Littaford Tors. Altogether 47 species of mosses and liverworts and 119 species of lichen have been recorded here. One of the rarest lichens Bryoria smithii is found only on four trees here which, along with some growing in Black Tor Copse, are the only examples found in Britain. There are nearly a hundred hut circles in this area making it one of the largest Bronze Age settlements on the moor. One of the sources of the Devonport Leat, at a weir on the West Dart River, is just north of the wood. Many legends surround this wood, a good site to read about this is:
http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/wistman.htm