Sites in the Harpford Common Region

What is Harpford Common and where are the woodland sites located?

Harpford Common is a general area located to the north of Sidmouth, East Devon, beyond the A3052. Within this area, the Sidmouth Nature Survey project includes three specific woodland sites: Harpford Wood, Fire Beacon Plantation, and Core Hill Wood. Harpford Wood is situated near Sidmouth, Fire Beacon Plantation is to the north-west, above the Bowd, and Core Hill Wood is just north of Sidmouth.

Who owns and manages these woodland sites?

Ownership and management vary between the sites. Harpford Wood is owned by Clinton Devon Estates, a large landowner in East and North Devon. Fire Beacon Plantation is managed by Forestry England. Core Hill Wood is managed by the Woodland Trust, a conservation charity. These different entities employ various management approaches tailored to the specific characteristics and conservation goals of each woodland.

What are the key characteristics of Harpford Wood?

Harpford Wood is a large woodland, covering over 70 hectares. It contains a significant amount of conifer plantation, a result of historical forestry trends, but also has notable broadleaf trees, particularly along the former railway line. A unique feature is the disused Sidmouth branch railway corridor that runs through the wood. This corridor, closed in 1967, has been reclaimed by nature and provides a distinct habitat from the rest of the wood, offering diverse plant life and serving as a flat, accessible recreational path (part of National Cycle Network Route 248). While the woodland has steep paths in places, the railway line provides an easy walk.

What is the significance of the old railway line in Harpford Wood?

The disused Sidmouth branch railway line is a significant feature of Harpford Wood. Functioning from 1874 to 1967, its abandoned corridor has become a valuable habitat. It provides a 'saving grace' by creating sun-dappled glades with varied floral species and shaded cuttings rich in ferns, mosses, and liverworts. Beyond its ecological value, the former railway line has been repurposed as a flat and easy recreational path, integrated into local walking routes and the National Cycle Network, making the wood more accessible to visitors despite some steep internal paths.

What is Fire Beacon Plantation and its role in conservation efforts?

Fire Beacon Plantation is primarily a conifer plantation managed by Forestry England. Established in the 20th century for timber reserves, it lies within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is part of the broader East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, a rare lowland heath ecosystem. Despite being a conifer plantation, which generally has lower conservation value than natural habitats, it is actively involved in the Fire Beacon Grazing Project. This initiative aims to create linked areas of lowland heath and wood pasture across the plantation and adjacent areas, using electronically collared cattle, to enhance biodiversity and restore the lowland heath habitat that historically existed there.

Describe the Core Hill Wood and its management focus.


Core Hill Wood is a 10.4-hectare woodland managed by the Woodland Trust. Located on higher ground within Harpford Common and the East Devon AONB, it features a mosaic of habitats including mixed woodland, ancient boundary banks with veteran trees, and patches of lowland heathland. Management focuses on conserving existing veteran trees, promoting biodiversity, and actively restoring heathland habitats. It participates in the Fire Beacon Grazing Project for lowland heath restoration and collaborates with partners like the RSPB and local councils on conservation efforts. The wood offers diverse flora and fauna, though some paths are challenging due to the hilly and unsurfaced terrain.

How are these woodland sites connected to the broader landscape and conservation initiatives?

These sites are part of a larger ecological and geographical context. Both Fire Beacon Plantation and Core Hill Wood are located within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and are part of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, a rare lowland heath ecosystem. They are also linked through the Fire Beacon Grazing Project, a collaborative initiative aiming to create connected areas of lowland heath and wood pasture. Furthermore, Clinton Devon Estates, owner of Harpford Wood, is involved in the "Heaths to Sea" Landscape Recovery initiative, focusing on wider nature recovery in East Devon, highlighting a regional approach to conservation that encompasses these woodland areas.

What kind of recreational opportunities are available at these woodlands?
The woodlands offer various recreational opportunities, although accessibility varies. Harpford Wood provides easy walking and cycling along the flat former railway line, which is part of the National Cycle Network, despite having some steep internal paths. Clinton Devon Estates facilitates public access and has installed visitor engagement features. Fire Beacon Plantation is accessible via the adjacent Fire Beacon Hill Local Nature Reserve, with paths that can be hilly. Core Hill Wood, managed by the Woodland Trust, has a small car park and public footpaths, but the terrain is often hilly and unsurfaced, making some routes challenging. However, it offers rewarding walks with potentially spectacular views.


 

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