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On 18th October 1995, 1620 hectares
of the Holnicote Estate were
declared a National Nature Reserve (NNR) by English Nature. There is free public access over the whole of this NNR.
Exmoor holds the most extensive
area of tall, mature upland heather anywhere in southern Britain and
the moorland around Dunkery is the finest example of this habitat. The
north-facing slopes of the higher ground are 'dominated by common heather (Ling) and Bilberry.
To the west, areas of wet heath support plants that
are more common in northern Britain, including Cranberry, Crowberry,
Lesser Twayblade and Clubmosses. A range of upland birdsbreed on the
moor including Merlin, Ring Ousel, Stonechat, Whmchat and a few introduced
Red Grouse.
Bench at Webbers Post - see below for the text
of the inscription
The inscription on the stone bench reads:
A lease of five hundred years of some eight thousand four hundred acres
adjoining this memorial and also on North
Hill and Winsford Hill was
granted in the year 1918 to the National
Trust by Sir Thomas Ackland Bart.
with the cooperation of his brother the Right Honourable Arthur Ackland and his nephew Francis Ackland M.P. who all desired in this way to secure
to the public the enjoyment of the beauty of these hills and moors and
the preservation of the natural features.
The lower slopes of the moorland support
important areas of lowland heath types. This habitat is restricted to
Wales and parts of south-west England.
Here a mixture of Western gorse,
Bell heather and Bristle Bent Grass form the characteristic vegetation.
A notable feature of this NNR is the transition between different lowland
and upland habitats. It is this alone, particularly in areas of Bracken
and Cow Wheat, that supports the largest stronghold in Britain of the
rare and specially protected Heath
Fritillary Butterfly.
Horner Wood is one of
the most extensive ancient semi-natural woodlands in England. The predominantly
closed canopy of sessile oak shades a grazed woodland floor, comprised
of heathland plants, ferns, mosses and liverworts. The combination
of ancient trees and the policy of leaving dead wood in situ produces
an excellent habitat for fungi and lichens.
The Horner Water flowing through the valley bottom produces more humid
conditions, ideal for Ferns, including the rare Filmy Fern. This wood
has long been recognised as amongst the richest lichen sites in the country.
More than 200 species have been recorded, including all 4 species of
the rare Lebanon lichen.
The Exmoor Red Deer form
one of the largest concentrations in England. Large numbers range over
the site and Horner Wood is a traditional harbourage for the herds.
Whilst this can cause problems in terms of woodland regeneration, the
deer arc useful in retaining the open character of this grazed woodland,
which is the preferred habitat of the Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler.
Sculpture at Webbers Post one of several sculpture
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