Hawkcombe Woods National Nature Reserve

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Overview

The clean, moist air and steep, sheltered valley of Hawkcombe Woods NNR south of Porlock make these woodlands particularly rich in wildlife and a good habitat for a wide range of mosses and lichens. Hawkcombe Woods comprises nine woodlands: Colescombe Wood, Homebush Wood, East Lucott, Bury Castle and West Lucott, Bromham Wood, Shillet Wood, Hawkcombe valley bottom and James’ Barrow. Hawkcombe Woods is made up of mostly sessile oak trees with smaller amounts of ash, beech, birch and hazel. The main reason for its designation as an NNR was the rare lichens and ferns, such as the Wilson’s filmy fern, that thrive in the moist, clean air of the valley, in addition to the large populations of bird and butterfly species. Among the rare or uncommon bird life found at Hawkcombe Woods are summer visiting migrants such as pied flycatchers and redstarts. The reserve is owned and managed by the Exmoor National Park Authority.

Location

West Porlock

About the area

Somerset remains rural and unspoiled, and ever popular areas to visit are the limestone and red sandstone Mendip Hills rising to over 1,000 feet, and by complete contrast, to the south and southwest, the flat landscape of the Somerset Levels. Another popular spot, the Quantocks, once the haunt of poets Coleridge and Wordsworth, are noted for their gentle slopes, heather-covered moorland expanses and red deer.