DOCSLIB.ORG

Great Expectations: Approaches to Exmoor Country Houses

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Great Expectations: Approaches to Exmoor Country Houses 2236 DGT JOURNAL 2009/2 13/5/13 10:13 am Page 32 10. Princess Gardens and Royal Terrace Gardens Listing 50. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, Aug 30, 1894, Torquay Local Board (English Heritage). Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. 11. H.J.Lethbridge, Torquay & Paignton. The Making of a 51. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, July 26, 1893, Torquay Local Board Modern Resort, Chichester, 2003, p. 53. Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. 12. Berry, p. 223. 52. www.torbay.gov.uk/index/news/rockwalk/ 13. Ellis, p. 339. rockwalkarchive.htm. 14. W.White, White’s Devon. A Reprint of History, Gazeteer and 53. Ellis, p. 382. Directory of Devonshire, 1850, Newton Abbot, 1968, p. 447. 54. Princess Gardens And Royal Terrace Gardens Listing, 15. The Handbook For Torquay And Its Neighbourhood with (English Heritage). the Natural History Of The District, p. 31. 16. A.Taigel and T. Williamson, Parks and Gardens, London, 1993, p. 122. Great Expectations: 17. J.R.Pike, Torquay, Torquay, 1994, p. 47. Approaches to Exmoor Country Houses 18. www.torbay.gov.uk/torquay_harbour_conservation_area_ appraisal.pdf, p. 2:18. Rob Wilson-North 19. Lasdun, p. 164. 20. Pike, p. 47. The landscape of Exmoor National Park is dramatic, sublime 21. Ellis, p. 362. and secretive. Those who built great houses there, especially 22. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/1, July 1846-Feb 1857, Poster inside during the nineteenth century, made imaginative use of the Local Board Minute Book. topography and other features in designing the routes - the 23. J.T. White, The History of Torquay, Torquay, 1878, p. 266. drives - which led to them. 24. Ellis, p. 377. 25. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/13, Oct 10 1887, Torquay Local Board Approaches to great houses have usually played a central role Harbour Committee, 1886-1889. in how buildings and their designed landscapes are perceived. 26. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/13, July 2, 1889, Torquay Local Board They also often form an integral part of the designed landscape Harbour Committee, 1886-1889. itself, especially when the house sits within ornamental park- 27. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/14, April 8, 1890, Torquay Local Board land. The visitor experiences the first glimpse of a house and its Harbour Committee, 1889-1892. setting from horseback or through a carriage window - views 28. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/14, Nov 16, 1889, Torquay Local are contrived to create an initial effect, sometimes using water, Board Harbour Committee, 1889-1892. or often using careful plantings to frame the view. Similarly, the 29. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/14, Nov 4, 1890, Torquay Local Board way a house and its setting are shown off can reveal how the Harbour Committee, 1889-1892. owner wished his possessions to be viewed. For me this aspect 30. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/14, Jan 13, 1891, Torquay Local Board of designed landscapes can be very personal and insightful. It Harbour Committee, 1889-1892. provides a very intimate perspective on the intentions of their 31. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/14, Nov 4, 1890, Torquay Local Board creators. Harbour Committee, 1889-1892. 32. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, May 31, 1894, Torquay Local I would like to whet your appetites for looking anew at the Board Harbour Committee, 1892-1892. approaches to houses by taking you to three places on Exmoor 33. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, July 19, 1892, Torquay Local Board where the experience of the original visitor can still be felt Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. today: Tarr Steps, Glenthorne (Countisbury) and Simonsbath. 34. H.Jordan, Public Parks, 1885-1914, in Garden History 22:1, Coincidentally, all of the houses date from between 1820 and pp. 85-113, p. 92. 1840 and their approaches are assumed to be contemporary 35. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, Feb 28, 1893, Torquay Local Board with the houses (although one is currently not absolutely Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. dated). They reveal a number of factors including the 36. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, May 17, 1894, Torquay Local aspirations of their creators, views of the past and a heightened Board Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. sense of the picturesque, as well as impressive engineering 37. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/9, May 10, 1894, Torquay Local Board solutions to specific topographic problems. One of the most Minute Books, November 1892-October, 1896. compelling aspects is that two of the three are not now 38. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, May 17,1894, Torquay Local Board obviously part of any designed landscape and would not even Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. be easily recognised as part of an elaborate approach. 39. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, June 26, 1894, Torquay Local In 1818 the Royal Forest of Exmoor was enclosed by Act of Board Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. Parliament and purchased by John Knight (1765-1850) who 40. R 4582A-2/TC/15, April 11, 1894, DRO Torquay Local set about the ‘improvement’ of the moorland for farming. At Board Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. the centre of his great new estate he planned a mansion. 41. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, Oct 31, 1894, Torquay Local Board The history of this house and its setting has recently been Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. researched by Caroline Garrett (report at Exmoor National Park 42. R 4582A-2/TC/15, Feb 13, 1894, DRO Torquay Local Board Authority). The house which stood in Simonsbath was built in Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. the gothic style, but was never completed, and has now almost 43. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, Sept 23, 1894, Torquay Local entirely vanished. It occupied a shelf above the sweeping valley Board Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. of the River Barle and there is some evidence that the valley 44. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/9, May 7, 1895, Torquay Local Board sides were to be clothed with plantations. John Knight had been Minute Books, November 1892-October, 1896. brought up with the picturesque in a family which included 45. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, May 2, 1893, Torquay Local Board Richard Payne Knight (1750-1824), a central figure in the Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. Picturesque Movement. Simonsbath lies in the middle of the 46. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, July 26, 1893, Torquay Local Board moor and was approached from Lynton to the north where a Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. tower stands beside the road, formerly perhaps part of a more 47. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, Feb 13, 1894, Torquay Local Board elaborate mock ruin marking the entrance to the estate. To the Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. south, the old packhorse route from South Molton approached 48. Ellis, p. 381. the river crossing at Simonsbath over generally level, wild, 49. DRO R 4582A-2/TC/15, Aug 17, 1894, Torquay Local Board open moorland. John Knight did away with this, and instead Harbour Committee, 1892-1895. 28 2236 DGT JOURNAL 2009/2 13/5/13 10:13 am Page 33 built a metalled road which clung to the precipitous slopes her book Glenthorne: a Most Romantic Place in terms of a much of the valley side winding in and out of the combes on a loved relative some of whose well-known attributes continue to spectacular descent to the river at Simonsbath. This road is one niggle despite their familiarity: of the most scenic on Exmoor and affords a majestic view along the valley of the River Barle. It was clearly Knight’s intent to Built of pinkish-grey local stone, its complicated mass of ridges create in his visitors a sense of awe in nature before they even and ornamental chimneys seem to rise in all directions, making arrived at his great house…a sense still palpable to us today. it look far larger than it is. It backs up against the high hill so that, if you crane your neck and look up through the back Tarr Steps is one of the most visited sites on Exmoor. The windows, you see the roots of trees on a level with the roofs, but ‘ancient’ clapper bridge straddles the beautiful River Barle set the big front windows and the terrace look straight over thirteen in a valley of ancient broadleaf woodlands (now a National miles of sea to the cliffs and mountains of Wales. On both sides Nature Reserve). On one side of the bridge is a former of the house, the trees slide down the hills to reddish cliffs and, farmhouse whilst on the other, set a way back from the river on clear nights, the Nash Light [Nash Point lighthouse on the is the former rectory of Hawkridge parish. The rectory seems to South Wales coast] shines on the walls and the moon shines over have been built by George Jekyll, rector from 1834 to 1843, and the sea through the branches of an old pine. It has inspired has recently been studied by Mary Siraut (Somerset V.C.H. countless poems, some of them very bad, but in winter the sun County Editor) for the new book, Exmoor: the Making of an never rises high enough to shine over the hills and down to the 1 English Upland. The rectory is surrounded by formal gardens. house and, although undeniably grand and very beautiful, it In the wooded valley of the Barle is a leat or water-carrying can then be extremely gloomy.2 channel which can be traced for over a kilometre back along the valley side until it reaches a tributary stream of the Barle.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Nettlecombe Court Slope and Old Weather Station Field: National Vegetation Classification 2019
    Nettlecombe Court Slope and Old Weather Station Field: National Vegetation Classification 2019 First published July 2021 Natural England Research Report NERR099 www.gov.uk/natural-england Nettlecombe NVC Final Report Natural England Research Report NERR099 Natural England Research Report NERR099 Nettlecombe Court Slope and Old Weather Station Field: National Vegetation Classification 2019 A.McLay July 2021 This report is published by Natural England under the Open Government Licence - OGLv3.0 for public sector information. You are encouraged to use, and reuse, information subject to certain conditions. For details of the licence visit Copyright. Natural England photographs are only available for non-commercial purposes. If any other information such as maps or data cannot be used commercially this will be made clear within the report. ISBN: 978-1-78354-770-8 © Natural England 2021 Nettlecombe Court Slope and Old Weather Station Field: National Vegetation Classification 2019 Natural England Research Report NERR099 Project details This report should be cited as: McLay, A. 2021. Nettlecombe Court Slope and Old Weather Station Field: National Vegetation Classification 2019 Natural England Research Report NERR099. Natural England. Natural England Project manager Mike Pearce Author A.McLay Keywords Nettlecombe Park, grassland survey, grassland fungi, SSSI Further information This report can be downloaded from the Natural England Access to Evidence Catalogue: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/ . For information on Natural England publications
    [Show full text]
  • January-February 2021
    Page 1 Issue No. 127 Village News January - February 2021 Monkton Heathfield, West Monkton and Bathpool Getting Up-Close and Personal with a Wooly Mamoth See Page 8 Contents: Useful Numbers/Regular Bookings - Page 2 Somerset Birds - Page 3 Broomsquires - Page 4 & 5 South Quantock Benefice - Page 6 Bishop Peter/Bathpool Chapel/100 Club - Page 7 School News - Page 8 Oak Partnership/Gardening Corner - Page 9 Find out more about Carrion Crows Parish Council - Pages 10 & 11 See Page 3 WI Walks - Page 12 Sports Pitches - Page 13 Happy New Year Memories of Hestercombe - Page 14 from Hestercombe Cont/Village Hall - Page 15 all of us at the Village News WM&CF Film Club/Blood Donations/Debt Help/Walking Football - Page 16 Taunton Scrubbers/And Finally - Page 24 Publication in the Village News does not imply an endorsement. The Editors cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. The information contained within this publication is published in good faith. Volunteers deliver this publication to homes in West Monkton, Monkton Heathfield, Bathpool, Gotton and Goosenford. Copy deadline for March - April 2021 is 1st February 2021 Page 2 Useful Names and Telephone Numbers Regular Events at West Monkton Village Hall Monkton Heathfield, TA2 8NE Rector: Rev. Mary Styles - 01823 451189 The Vicarage, Kingston St Mary, TA2 8HW Slimming World Associate Vicar half-time: Rev Jim Cox - 01823 333377 Mondays 09:00 - 11:00 Churchwarden: Hazel Adams - 01823 443027 Phoenix Camera Club P.C.C Secretary: Samm Barge - 07976415337 Mondays 19:00 - 22:00 P.C.C
    [Show full text]
  • First Annual Review of The
    FIRST ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE RIVER EXE CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN (1997) Key Sites Relating to Issues in the River Exc Annual Review Bridgwater : a ay i: -: WheddotV:Ctoss:3&i Information corrcct as of Oct 1997 River lixc Calchmcnl Management I’lan O Crown Copyright ENVIRONMENT AGENCY 1‘nvtronmcfU Agcncy South West kcpron II II lllllll II 125080 SOUTHWEST REGION RIVER EXE CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN - ACTION PLAN - FIRST ANNUAL REVIEW Con ten ts: ..................................................................................................................................................... Y.........................................Page N o O ur V ision O f The Ca tc h m en t....................................................................................................................................................................2 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................................3 1.1 The Environm ent Ag en c y ....................................................................................................................................................................3 1.2 The Environm ent Planning Pr o c e ss..............................................................................................................................................4 1.3 T he Catchm ent steerin g G r o u p.......................................................................................................................................................4
    [Show full text]
  • Published by ENPA November 2009 1 EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK
    EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK EMPLOYMENT LAND REVIEW Published by ENPA November 2009 1 Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Ltd 1st Floor, Westville House Fitzalan Court Cardiff CF24 0EL Offices also in T 029 2043 5880 London F 029 2049 4081 Manchester Newcastle upon Tyne [email protected] www.nlpplanning.com Contents2 Executive Summary 5 1.0 INTRODUCTION 11 Scope of the Study 11 The Implications of Exmoor’s Status as a National Park 13 Methodology 15 Report Structure 18 2.0 Local Context 19 Geographical Context 19 Population 21 Economic Activity 22 Distribution of Employees by Sector 25 Qualifications 28 Deprivation 29 Commuting Patterns 32 Businesses 36 Conclusion 36 3.0 Policy Context 37 Planning Policy Context 37 Economic Policy Context 42 Conclusion 48 4.0 The Current Stock of Employment Space 50 Existing Stock of Employment Floorspace 50 Existing Employment Land Provision 55 Conclusion 61 5.0 Consultation 63 Agent Interviews 63 Stakeholder Consultation 65 Business Consultation 68 Previous Consultation Exercises 73 Conclusion 80 6.0 Qualitative Assessment of Existing Employment Sites 81 Conclusion 90 7.0 The Future Economy of Exmoor National Park 92 Establishing an Economic Strategy 92 Influences upon the Economy 93 Key Sectors 95 1 30562/517407v2 Conclusion 97 8.0 Future Need for Employment Space 99 Employment Growth 99 Employment Based Space Requirements 105 Planning Requirement for Employment Land 112 9.0 The Role of Non-B Class Sectors in the Local Economy 114 Introduction 114 Agriculture 114 Public Sector Services 119 Retail 122 10.0
    [Show full text]
  • Walk 27A Dulverton & Tarr Steps
    Walking on Exmoor and the Quantock Hills exmoorwalker.uk Walk 27A. Dulverton and Tarr Steps. 10.7 miles, ascents and descents of 500 metres. 4 hours 5 minutes connuous walk- ing, allow 5-6 hours. hand side of the field. Pass a house on the le , then go through a Terrain: Paths, tracks and fields, some mud and slippery rock when wet. Some walking on gate on to open moorland. Bear slightly right on a grassy path be- roads. tween a small thorn tree and a clump of gorse bushes. This heads west- Access: By car, park in the long-stay car park next to Exmoor House (SS 912 280, TA22 9HL, wards to come in sight of the B3223, veering gradually right to converge £). Dulverton is served by bus 25 from Taunton, Wiveliscombe and Bampton, 198 from Minehead and 398 from Tiverton and Bampton. with it a short way before a line of trees and a cale grid (Mounsey Hill Gate, 1hr35mins, [3]). Cross the grid on the main road; the road to the Map: Croydecycle 56 Dulverton and Tarr Steps or OS Explorer OL9 Exmoor. le returns to Dulverton (see the short walk descripon below). Ahead Refreshments: Plenty of opons in Dulverton, inn at Tarr Steps, tea garden at Marsh Bridge. of you are views across the moor, with Winsford Hill slightly to the right. Connue on a track under a line of beech trees; as the field edge TGJ +YW YJ`W `7 A E0_’ _ -J*7 _YY +` with one of its major arac- turns le go straight ahead on a grassy path, towards a parcularly ons, the clapper bridge over the River Barle known as Tarr Steps.
    [Show full text]
  • Huguenot Merchants Settled in England 1644 Who Purchased Lincolnshire Estates in the 18Th Century, and Acquired Ayscough Estates by Marriage
    List of Parliamentary Families 51 Boucherett Origins: Huguenot merchants settled in England 1644 who purchased Lincolnshire estates in the 18th century, and acquired Ayscough estates by marriage. 1. Ayscough Boucherett – Great Grimsby 1796-1803 Seats: Stallingborough Hall, Lincolnshire (acq. by mar. c. 1700, sales from 1789, demolished first half 19th c.); Willingham Hall (House), Lincolnshire (acq. 18th c., built 1790, demolished c. 1962) Estates: Bateman 5834 (E) 7823; wealth in 1905 £38,500. Notes: Family extinct 1905 upon the death of Jessie Boucherett (in ODNB). BABINGTON Origins: Landowners at Bavington, Northumberland by 1274. William Babington had a spectacular legal career, Chief Justice of Common Pleas 1423-36. (Payling, Political Society in Lancastrian England, 36-39) Five MPs between 1399 and 1536, several kts of the shire. 1. Matthew Babington – Leicestershire 1660 2. Thomas Babington – Leicester 1685-87 1689-90 3. Philip Babington – Berwick-on-Tweed 1689-90 4. Thomas Babington – Leicester 1800-18 Seat: Rothley Temple (Temple Hall), Leicestershire (medieval, purch. c. 1550 and add. 1565, sold 1845, remod. later 19th c., hotel) Estates: Worth £2,000 pa in 1776. Notes: Four members of the family in ODNB. BACON [Frank] Bacon Origins: The first Bacon of note was son of a sheepreeve, although ancestors were recorded as early as 1286. He was a lawyer, MP 1542, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal 1558. Estates were purchased at the Dissolution. His brother was a London merchant. Eldest son created the first baronet 1611. Younger son Lord Chancellor 1618, created a viscount 1621. Eight further MPs in the 16th and 17th centuries, including kts of the shire for Norfolk and Suffolk.
    [Show full text]
  • Somerset Geology-A Good Rock Guide
    SOMERSET GEOLOGY-A GOOD ROCK GUIDE Hugh Prudden The great unconformity figured by De la Beche WELCOME TO SOMERSET Welcome to green fields, wild flower meadows, farm cider, Cheddar cheese, picturesque villages, wild moorland, peat moors, a spectacular coastline, quiet country lanes…… To which we can add a wealth of geological features. The gorge and caves at Cheddar are well-known. Further east near Frome there are Silurian volcanics, Carboniferous Limestone outcrops, Variscan thrust tectonics, Permo-Triassic conglomerates, sediment-filled fissures, a classic unconformity, Jurassic clays and limestones, Cretaceous Greensand and Chalk topped with Tertiary remnants including sarsen stones-a veritable geological park! Elsewhere in Mendip are reminders of coal and lead mining both in the field and museums. Today the Mendips are a major source of aggregates. The Mesozoic formations curve in an arc through southwest and southeast Somerset creating vales and escarpments that define the landscape and clearly have influenced the patterns of soils, land use and settlement as at Porlock. The church building stones mark the outcrops. Wilder country can be found in the Quantocks, Brendon Hills and Exmoor which are underlain by rocks of Devonian age and within which lie sunken blocks (half-grabens) containing Permo-Triassic sediments. The coastline contains exposures of Devonian sediments and tectonics west of Minehead adjoining the classic exposures of Mesozoic sediments and structural features which extend eastward to the Parrett estuary. The predominance of wave energy from the west and the large tidal range of the Bristol Channel has resulted in rapid cliff erosion and longshore drift to the east where there is a full suite of accretionary landforms: sandy beaches, storm ridges, salt marsh, and sand dunes popular with summer visitors.
    [Show full text]
  • British Lichen Society Bulletin No
    1 BRITISH LICHEN SOCIETY OFFICERS AND CONTACTS 2010 PRESIDENT S.D. Ward, 14 Green Road, Ballyvaghan, Co. Clare, Ireland, email [email protected]. VICE-PRESIDENT B.P. Hilton, Beauregard, 5 Alscott Gardens, Alverdiscott, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 3QJ; e-mail [email protected] SECRETARY C. Ellis, Royal Botanic Garden, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR; email [email protected] TREASURER J.F. Skinner, 28 Parkanaur Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 3HY, email [email protected] ASSISTANT TREASURER AND MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY H. Döring, Mycology Section, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, email [email protected] REGIONAL TREASURER (Americas) J.W. Hinds, 254 Forest Avenue, Orono, Maine 04473-3202, USA; email [email protected]. CHAIR OF THE DATA COMMITTEE D.J. Hill, Yew Tree Cottage, Yew Tree Lane, Compton Martin, Bristol BS40 6JS, email [email protected] MAPPING RECORDER AND ARCHIVIST M.R.D. Seaward, Department of Archaeological, Geographical & Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP, email [email protected] DATA MANAGER J. Simkin, 41 North Road, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne NE20 9UN, email [email protected] SENIOR EDITOR (LICHENOLOGIST) P.D. Crittenden, School of Life Science, The University, Nottingham NG7 2RD, email [email protected] BULLETIN EDITOR P.F. Cannon, CABI and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew; postal address Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, email [email protected] CHAIR OF CONSERVATION COMMITTEE & CONSERVATION OFFICER B.W. Edwards, DERC, Library Headquarters, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ, email [email protected] CHAIR OF THE EDUCATION AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE: position currently vacant.
    [Show full text]
  • Display PDF in Separate
    Stuart Bcckhurst x 2 Senior Scientist (Quality Planning) ) £e> JTH vJsrr U T W J Vcxg locafenvironment agency plan EXE ACTION PLAN PLAN from JULY 2000 to JULY 2005 Further copies of this Action Plan can be obtained from: LEAPs (Devon Area) The Environment Agency Exminster House Miller Way Exminster Devon EX6 8AS Telephone: (01392) 444000 E-mail: [email protected] Environment Agency Copyright Waiver This report is intended to be used widely and the text may be quoted, copied or reproduced in any way, provided that the extracts are not quoted out of context and that due acknowledgement is given to the Environment Agency. However, maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 scale map by the Environment Agency with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number GD 03177G. Note: This is not a legally or scientifically binding document. Introduction 1 . Introduction The Environment Agency We have a wide range of duties and powers relating to different aspects of environmental management. These duties are described in more detail in Section Six. We are required and guided by Government to use these duties and powers in order to help achieve the objective of sustainable development. The Brundtland Commission defined sustainable development 'os development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' At the heart of sustainable development is the integration of human needs and the environment within which we live.
    [Show full text]
  • A River Valley Walk Between Source and Sea Along the Beautiful River Exe the Exe Valley Way a River Valley Walk Between Source and Sea Along the Beautiful River Exe
    A river valley walk between source and sea along the beautiful River Exe The Exe Valley Way A river valley walk between source and sea along the beautiful River Exe A Guide for northbound and southbound The majority of the route follows footpaths walkers with a sketch map for each stage. and quiet country lanes where there is little traffic but there are brief stretches of busy The Exe Valley Way is a long distance route roads in Exeter and Tiverton. Care should be for walkers exploring the length of this taken at all times when walking on roads. beautiful river valley. It is almost 80km/ 50miles in length, stretching from the South Whilst this booklet does give a broad outline West Coast Path National Trail on the Exe of the waymarked route, it is emphasised Estuary to the village of Exford on the high that it would also be helpful to take an OS land of Exmoor National Park. An additional map along with you, particularly for the 12km/7.5 miles route links Exford to Exe footpath sections. Head, the source of the River Exe, high upon the moor. Most of the route follows beside OS Maps which cover the the River Exe. At the northern end of the Exe Valley Way: route, the route follows the River Barle, a Explorer No. 114 tributary of the River Exe, before rejoining Exeter & the Exe Valley (1:25 000) the Exe at Exford. Explorer OL9 Exmoor (1:25 000) The Exe Valley Way can be divided up into a series of 10 stages, most of which can be walked comfortably by most walkers in half a The Exe Valley day.
    [Show full text]
  • Landscape Character Type G: IncisedWoodedRiverValleys
    Part 4: Landscape Character Assessment of Exmoor l LCT G: Incised Wooded River Valleys Landscape Character Type G: IncisedWoodedRiverValleys The River Barle looking south from Tarr Steps Summary Description This LCT is largely located within the southern part scattered farms, these give many of the valleys a of the National Park. It encompasses the tributaries settled character. However, there are also long and main courses of a number of rivers- the Bray, stretches of valley floor which are only accessible Mole, Barle, Exe, Haddeo and Avill, cutting through on foot and therefore feel more remote and the surrounding areas of Enclosed Farmland with tranquil. The character of the rivers is very Commons and Open Moorland. There are a changeable, becoming particularly dramatic when number of villages within this LCT, including Exford, they are in spate following heavy rain. The Incised Withypool, and Brompton Regis, along with Wooded River Valleys is a rich historic landscape, numerous hamlets and scattered farms, and the containing many fine bridges including Tarr Steps town of Dulverton. and Landacre Bridge, which are popular visitor The landscape comprises steep-sided, often destinations. There are notable Iron-Age defensive densely-wooded valleys. They form distinctive dark sites overlooking the valleys, and many medieval green fingers that push through the surrounding landscape features. The reservoir at Wimbleball is areas of farmland and moorland. Fast flowing rocky another popular site, and a much more recent streams tumble along valley floors, often with addition to the landscape. dramatic descents in levels. Roads often follow the There are six distinctive Landscape Character Areas courses of the rivers, and settlements are clustered (LCAs) within the LCT, each representing a different around bridges and fords.
    [Show full text]
  • The River Barle Crayfish Project
    Date: December 2015 The River Barle Crayfish Project Name of project: The River Barle Crayfish Project (2014 and 2015) Location: River Barle Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Exmoor National Park By who? Exmoor Moorland Landscape Partnership (EMLP) and the Environment Agency (EA) Devon Fisheries and Biodiversity Team How?: The EMLP funded the project with kind contributions from partners; Equipment was funded by the EMLP and the traps were provided by the EA and Nicky Green; investment of staff time from the EMLP and Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) was also provided for project promotion, recruitment of volunteers and research on landowner information. Aims: The aim of the project was to undertake a survey to assess the extent of the signal crayfish population on the River Barle in order to determine how far they have spread and the potential level of threat to the River Barle ecosystem. Main considerations: . The site to undertake the survey and the size of the survey . Getting landowner permissions . Getting volunteers involved and training them . Complying with legislation . Obtaining licences to trap the crayfish Partnerships and other involvement: . The Heart of Exmoor Scheme; ENPA Conservation Officers; ENPA Volunteer and Outreach Officer; EMLP Moorland Education and Outreach Officer . EA (Devon) Fisheries and Biodiversity Team . Volunteers . The project is subject to PhD research by N. Green supported by Bournemouth University, EA and CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science) . Representatives of local angling associations and interest groups such as the River Barle Fishing Club, Exmoor Rivers and Streams Group, and River Exe and Tributaries Association.
    [Show full text]