Some years ago Marcia and I started talking about a companion to her novels. These discussions were the result of emails and letters from readers who wanted to know how Marcia found her locations and what it is about England’s west country that inspires her.

Marcia and I are drawn to seek the wilder parts of the country: a wind swept moor, a quiet wood, a tumbling stream in a remote combe or the the coast - that battleground between the land and the sea!

Set within these landscapes are the plants and animals that inhabit them. Some are wild; others the result of man’s activities; all are a vital part of ‘Marcia Willett’s West Country’.

Most of her ideas come to her when she is moving through the landscape—walking or in the car—and, whether you are readers of her novels or not, I hope you will enjoy this exploration of one of the most beautiful parts of our country. As I work on this, so I shall be adding more and more and more pages to this section.

The photographs on the web site are the work of three people. Some are mine, some were taken by my sister-in-law, Bridget Rochard, and others by the Dartmoor Guide, Paul Rendell, who edits the Dartmoor News. I have the privilege of looking after his website www.dartmoornews.co.uk.
    It would have been impossible to collect enough pictures without their help and I would like to record my gratitude to them.