Hartstongue - Nature Reserves

An ‘area of waste called the Common’, was given to the people of Torrington in 1194. This was formalised in 1889, when the Common’s Act was presented in Parliament. ‘An Act for vesting Great Torrington in a body of Conservators’.

Since October 2nd 1889 the Conservators have met regularly to discharge this duty, giving us this wonderful area, still freely accessible to all. The use of The Commons is governed by bylaws approved by DEFRA. The latest edition of the bye-laws is dated 2010.

There are up to fifteen Commons Conservators, elected on a three yearly basis. All Conservators are resident in Torrington and they administer the commons for the people of the town of Great Torrington. Their work includes enforcement of the bye laws, maintaining the public rights of way and paths, conservation of the many different habitats and special measures to support some of the rarer species found on the commons.

https://www.torringtoncommons.org/

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: Last Updated: 24 March 2021; Hits: 1034

The central focus of this area is the prominent wooded ridge of Pebble Beds which has a distinctive pattern of heaths and former commons (including areas of gorse, scattered pines, and notable tree groups) and woodland (both beech and conifer plantation). The ridge with its blocks of largely plantation woodland creates a recognisable skyline feature and focus for surrounding areas including the Exe Estuary, undulating farmland and the Otter valley. The areas of heath and woodland give rise to a wild, colourful and untamed feel and a sense of remoteness despite the area being highly popular for recreation. From more open areas on the ridge there are panoramic views across surrounding farmland and to the coast. In the north the ridge declines in height and the farmland has a semi-urban character affected by urbanising influences and horticulture. In the lower Otter valley the historic settlement pattern above the valley floor, valley meadows and pastoral character are distinctive, set between the Pebble Bed ridge to the west and the sharply rising slopes of the greensand ridges to the east.

This area comprises a north-south orientated prominent ridge and surrounding undulating farmland which is visually influenced by the ridge. To the north and west the outer edges of this area are transitional as the dominance of the ridge declines and the landform drops in elevation into the Clyst Lowlands. To the south the area is bounded by the Sidmouth and Lyme Bay Coastal Plateau and to the east by the sharply rising edge of the greensand ridges. This character area includes the lower reaches of the Otter valley to the east.

https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/east-devon-area/pebble-bed-heaths-and-farmland

https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policies/landscape/devon-character-areas

http://map.devon.gov.uk/dccviewer/?bm=Aerial2015Onwards&layers=Landscapes;9&activeTab=Landscapes&extent=290304;79791;320427;99813

: Last Updated: 23 March 2021; Hits: 935

The Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or TVAONB for short, is a special area around the rivers Tamar, Tavy and Lynher. The area is famous for its mining heritage landscape. A team of dedicated staff and volunteers run projects and coordinate work to protect the Valley.

On one side is Devon, the other Cornwall. The Tamar Valley extends north from the broad estuary at Plymouth to the intricate, deeply incised river that meanders just below Launceston and Tavistock. It borders Dartmoor National Park to the east and the Kit Hill area to the west.

http://www.tamarvalley.org.uk/

Tamar Valley Centre, Drakewalls, Near Gunnislake, Cornwall PL18 9FE

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Wistman's Wood is one of only three remote high-altitude oakwoods on Dartmoor, Devon, England. (The other two are Black Tor Beare on the West Okement at SX565892 and Piles Copse on the River Erme at SX644620.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wistman%27s_Wood

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/devons-national-nature-reserves/devons-national-nature-reserves#wistmans-wood