Rodgemonts Wood is a PAWS ( Plantation on an Ancient Woodland Site) of some 9 acres consisting mainly of Douglas Fir and Larch with Hazel and Sycamore Coppice. With the help and advice of the local branch of the Forestry Commission we have started a project to regenerate the natural, native broadleaf trees that were originally here – some of the seeds of which have been lying dormant for the last 40 – 50 years.
Some specimens of oak, ash and cherry have survived and with the thinning of the conifers which took place two years ago we are encouraged and excited to see more and more little saplings popping up all over the wood. We have established rides throughout the wood to allow for low impact extraction of the timber as we gradually harvest the conifers and coppice hazel and sycamore as
a main source of heating fuel for the house while also producing working frame and support structures for the garden and outside area.
In December 2009 we took part in BBC's 'Breathing Spaces' campaign to plant one million trees in one hour. Together with friends and neighbours we managed to plant our allotted 205 native hardwood saplings in well under the hour.
We plan to encourage the natural regeneration and supplement where necessary with the planting of saplings from the South-West seed bank and thus enriching the already present flora and fauna habitat. We are lucky enough to have a wide variety of wildlife 
within the wood including dormice, badgers, foxes, roe deer, buzzards, owls, ravens and woodpeckers.
Guests are invited to walk along the rides around the wood thus minimising any damage or disturbance to this developing environment while enjoying the peace and beauty of this place.
Honeybees at Rodgemonts
We keep our bees in the wild area of the garden. We are well aware of the importance of these wonderful little creatures – not just because they provide us with their delicious honey, which we offer you at breakfast but more importantly, they pollinate 40% of all plants and are under some threat in this fast changing world of ours. We try to care for these fascinating ‘friends' with as little interference as possible while ensuring their health and continuity.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Please take a moment to read our Environmental Policy which is printed below.
(We would welcome any comment you feel that you would like to make to us about it.)
We cherish our local natural environment in all its rich diversity and are therefore committed to minimising any negative impact our business and way of life may have upon it.
To this end, we would hope our guests would take particular care in the following areas:-
- Please do not leave lights on unnecessarily.
- We wish you to be comfortable and warm – please conserve heat by closing doors and windows when the heating is on.
- Please do not leave taps running unnecessarily.
- Please do not leave the television or radio/cd player on “stand-by” when you have finished using it. Please turn the machines off at their “power” switches.
- (N.B. Please do not turn off equipment in the small sitting room by switching off the wall sockets, as this seriously effects the television in the twin room next door.)
- Please note that “Rodgemonts “ is not on mains drainage. Special care is therefore needed with regard to material flushed down the toilets. (Disposal bags for sanitary towels are provided.)
- None of the above is intended to either compromise your comfort or lessen the enjoyment of your stay with us.
For our part:-
- We will sort – and where feasible, recycle your waste packaging etc, on a daily basis.
- Serve you with as much locally sourced food as is possible.
Public Transport
Eggesford Train Station on the Barnstaple/Exeter) Tarka line is a 30 – 40 minute walk (7 minute drive) from Rodgemonts. The Bus picks up passengers at Moortown, at the end of our lane, to go to Exeter or Chulmleigh and South Molton .
- We offer a 5% discounted price to all guests who decide to “give their car a holiday” by leaving it at home.
- By arrangement, we will transport guests and their luggage from Eggesford station (train) or Chulmleigh (bus).
- We provide information and assistance with regard to local bus and train services, as well as local footpaths and cycle trails.
We hope you have found this document interesting and useful.
Please remember that we are available to assist you in any way which makes your stay with us enjoyable.
Caroline and Douglas Pye.
email:
pyerodgemonts@talktalk.net
