Ham Hill Country Park Management Plan 2013 – 2017 ‘A diverse and accessible countryside site where management will enable the long term enjoyment of its significant and inspiring archaeological and ecological assets.’ Contents Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 8 Site description ............................................................................................................................ 9 Location: .................................................................................................................................. 9 Map Coverage .......................................................................................................................... 9 Size .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Compartments.......................................................................................................................... 9 Statutory Designations ............................................................................................................ 10 Ownership.............................................................................................................................. 10 Access .................................................................................................................................... 12 Physical Information ............................................................................................................... 12 Altitude .............................................................................................................................. 12 Topography......................................................................................................................... 12 Water Regime ..................................................................................................................... 13 Geology .............................................................................................................................. 13 Soils.................................................................................................................................... 14 Climate ............................................................................................................................... 15 Land Management .................................................................................................................. 15 Public Interest ........................................................................................................................ 17 Archaeology and heritage........................................................................................................ 17 Cultural Associations ............................................................................................................... 21 Land Use History ..................................................................................................................... 21 Natural England HLS Agreement .............................................................................................. 25 Landscape context of Ham Hill Country Park............................................................................. 26 Site management evaluation ................................................................................................... 27 Biological Data............................................................................................................................ 29 Community ................................................................................................................................ 38 Public Use .............................................................................................................................. 38 Education ............................................................................................................................... 40 Interpretation......................................................................................................................... 41 Community............................................................................................................................. 42 Summary of important features .................................................................................................. 44 2 Management Recommendations ................................................................................................. 47 Aims and Objectives ................................................................................................................... 50 Appendices ................................................................................................................................ 99 3 Executive Summary This document sets out the operational context of Ham Hill Country Park (HHCP) for the next five years until 2017. It seeks to outline the vision and direction for the park’s management and the specific actions required to fulfil these. It is intended to serve as a working document to ensure site management and development is structured, effective and efficient. Who we are (briefly mention the other sites) Ham Hill Country Park is managed by a small, dedicated ranger team within the wider Countryside Service of South Somerset District Council (SSDC). This service falls under the Council’s Community, Health and Leisure directorate. SSDC Countryside Service own and manage a total of 627 acres contained within five sites across the district. These include Yeovil Country Park, Ham Hill Country Park and Chard Reservoir, Moldram’s Ground and Eastfield Local Nature Reserves. The diverse nature of the sites in both the wildlife they contain and their various recreational uses means that the team have established a multi-skilled and dynamic approach to site management which is proving highly effective. Ham Hill Country Park The Country Park covers an area of 390 acres and is located 5 miles outside Yeovil in the parishes of Stoke and Norton sub Hamdon and Montacute. 200 acres of the site comprises the largest Iron Age hill fort in Europe. This Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) also includes a 19 roomed Roman villa and possible military camp. Later historical occupation is Medieval and then sees the site as an important community focus during the trade union movement. The Country Park is therefore a significant archaeological resource with the hill fort having been in continuous occupation since the Iron Age. Outside of the SAM, further Country Park land includes 100 acres of pasture with a further Deserted Medieval Village. Woodlands envelope the entire site on all sides and further increase the biological diversity on site. With calcareous grassland, woodlands, meadows and a tufa stream the wildlife supported on site is broad. The diversity and ecological value of the Country Park is reflected in the presence of several UK BAP species and habitats on-site. The high point of Ham Hill so exists because of the raised limestone cap – Hamstone. Hamstone is a golden coloured sedimentary rock, used locally for building and carving. The site is still actively quarried for the stone. But other areas of site are designated as geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest to protect the Victorian quarry face exposures. The entire Country Park site is very popular with visitors and is a heavily used recreational site which requires specific management that is integrated with the necessary land management. The on-site Ranger Team consists of 2 full time (equivalent) Rangers who deliver the conservation management, community engagement work as well as leading educational sessions, with assistance from annual Apprentice Ranger positions. 4 The Country Park serves as an important free, open access resource for the local community and wider population. As a Green Flag awarded Country Park, this reflects the success of the park’s management to date based on a range of demanding criteria. Where we are now? The team have been successful in establishing a strong management and maintenance programme that balances conservation and wildlife protection with the needs and demands of recreational users. This is reflected in the retaining of Green Flag Award status and high rates of public satisfaction identified through site user feedback. The team possess a range of skills that contribute to operational efficiency as well as an enthusiasm and knowledge of the site’s biodiversity and heritage which they are keen to pass onto visitors. An active weekly practical volunteer group assist the Rangers in carrying out the work programme with opportunities to volunteer in other ways provided through the Friends Group. There are a range of current issues facing the Ham Hill Country Park ranger team. The condition of many archaeological features on-site, namely the Iron Age ramparts is at risk from scrub and woodland development and in places recreational pressure. Ensuring the state of these features does not decline requires intensive management and associated resource input. Continuing recreational pressure on other site infrastructure and the network of paths throughout the Country Park stretches resources and diverts Ranger time away from the demanding land management work programme. The