My research for my writing comes in so many forms but my favourite type of research is visiting like for like locations. Lucky enough, my parents live in Cornwall, UK and on a recent visit, I took a trek to Golitha Falls.
Golitha Falls is a series of spectacular cascades through a steep-sided valley gorge on the upper reaches of the River Fowey. I simply love this location. The cascades flow through ancient woodland.
Over 50 species of liverwort grow here and 98 species of moss, some of which are quite rare. The woodland is steeped with trees like Sessile oak, mixed oak, beech and ash.
In addition to its flora, Golitha Falls bears a large variety of wildlife including several species of bat - noctule, brown long-eared and lesser horseshoe - over 30 species of birds which include dipper, nuthatch, treecreeper and buzzard - lepidopteran species include butterflies such as the silver-washed fritillary, green-veined white, meadow brown, marbled white, gatekeeper, small skipper, ringlet and speckled wood and over 80 species of moth.
If you are ever in Cornwall, I highly recommend a visit.
Location: G.P.S. Coordinates: N 50 29.415 W 004 30.382
Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve is 3 miles (5 km) north-west of Liskeard and 1.2 miles (2 km) west of St Cleer.
Access to the reserve by car is via minor roads from the A38, A30 and B3254. The car park is northeast of the reserve near Draynes Bridge.