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Golitha Falls and Draynes Wood (NNR) is in central Cornwall just South of Bodmin Moor.
The River Fowey from Bodmin Moor (to the North) runs down a long gorge and is surrounded by woodland (mainly Quercus species). Golitha Falls is better described as a series of cascades and following periods of heavy rain the river becomes even faster and can become extremely treacherous. NOTE - during these times beware of conditions. Fatalities have occurred, the site is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest as well as a Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The area has information boards and marked trails, some of which are easy but some are challenging. The site has 120 Bryophytes, Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Wood Anemone (Anemonoides nemorosa). Mammals including Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros), Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus), Common Noctule Bat (Nyctalus noctula), Hazel Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra). The River has Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) and Sea Trout (Salmo trutta f. trutta). Among the many Lepidoptera you can find are Silver Washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia), Green Veined White (Pieris napi), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Marbled White (Melanargia galathea), Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperanthus), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Double Line (Mythimna turca).
Amongst birds are Derekuşu (following heavy rain especially during Winter they can be absent), Söğütbülbülü, Çıvgın, Guguk, Ağaç incirkuşu, Kuzgun, Şahin and Çalıkuşu are all possible.
50 years ago the site was rarely visited, except for the occasional birdwatcher, today this is one of the busiest places away from the coast especially during good weather in the Summer months, the car park has a 'Smokehouse' restaurant that can get extremely busy. It is closed on Mondays/Tuesdays so a visit on these days and in duller days may be best. Don't forget to check out the bird feeders near the restaurant.
The main A38 road running from Plymouth (far to the East) and Bodmin (to the West) is South of the site. If traveling from Plymouth follow signs to the town of Liskeard. At Liskeard DO NOT enter town but continue past using A38 Bypass. This dual carriageway soon becomes Bodmin Bypass, leave this road Left on slip road signed Moorswater Industrial Estate. At next junction turn Right signed Dobwalls, on reaching Dobwalls take Right turn (Note - Double mini roundabouts) signed Siblyback Water Park/Colliford Lake/St Cleer/Darite/Common Moor. Continue on this road (passes over A38 dual carriageway) until next junction and turn Right signed Launceston/Minions/Common Moor/Colliford Lake/Darite/St Cleer, (*A) continue on this road that eventually narrows. At next small hamlet take Left turn signed Golitha Falls/Draynes/Bolventor (also look for Blue Unsuitable For Heavy Goods Vehicles Signs), this road now becomes very narrow, take Left turn signed Golitha Falls, go over narrow bridge and car park (free) is just on the Left.
If traveling from Bodmin direction on A38, take Left turn at village of Doublebois signed St Cleer/Common Moor/Minions, continue on this road until (*A) above.
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