Combe Head Wood

Combe Head Wood is one of the twelve sites designated as primarily woodland within the Sidmouth Nature project survey. It is located on the eastern side of the Sid Valley, specifically near Salcombe Hill. Access is available from the northern side of the Salcombe Hill National Trust car park.

The woodland composition is a mix of beech and conifer; it is primarily a plantation with a good number of both beech trees and conifers. There are also areas of semi-natural oak woodland dating back to at least 1822, and some natural ash and oak on the northern side.

This mix reflects a diverse planting strategy that aimed to create a resilient and varied woodland structure. In the 1960s, extensive planting at Combe Hill Wood introduced conifers like pine, spruce, western red cedar, and larch, interspersed with elm, beech, and alder.

Combe Head Wood recorded a high number of plant species (88 total) with a significant proportion (62) being classified as woodland species, resulting in a 70.5% dominance of woodland species. This percentage exceeds 70%, which might imply a longer history of woodland cover compared to some other sites in the survey. The presence of open glades where sunlight is beneficial to flowers and insects is noted.

Management efforts by the National Trust focus on balancing ecological integrity with public access. Management practices include coppicing hazel, retaining and favouring veteran trees, and supporting a range of habitats within the woodland, such as wood pasture, grazed calcareous grassland, and scrub, to enhance biodiversity.

For visitors, there are several paths through the wood, including well-maintained stoned paths suitable for visitors of all abilities, such as those with pushchairs and wheelchairs. The top part of the wood offers accessible routes. Combe Hill Wood is open to the public, and responsible dog walkers are welcome. It is also used as a resource for school visits and care home outings. A gentle circular walk of approximately 1 mile is available, which is particularly stunning during the bluebell season in early May. The terrain is generally flat with some slight slopes.