Core Hill Wood
Core Hill Wood is situated just north of Sidmouth in East Devon approximately two miles north of the town. The wood is part of a wider landscape that includes Fire Beacon Hill and is part of Harpford Common, and this area lies within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Core Hill Wood is among other woodlands in the area located on the higher ground, which is typical of most woodland sites in the area.
Core Hill Wood is a 10.4-hectare (25.7-acre) woodland managed by the Woodland Trust. The Woodland Trust has a new management plan for the wood. Management efforts focus on conserving veteran trees, promoting biodiversity, and restoring heathland habitats. The Woodland Trust collaborates with partners like the RSPB and local councils on conservation efforts. Core Hill Wood is also part of the broader Firebeacon Grazing Project, which aims to create linked areas of lowland heath and wood pasture across Fire Beacon Plantation, Fire Beacon Hill Local Nature Reserve, and Core Hill Wood to increase biodiversity and enhance lowland heath habitat.
Core Hill Wood is described as a mosaic of habitats. It features mixed woodland, ancient boundary banks with veteran trees, and patches of lowland heathland. The woodland includes both deciduous and coniferous trees. There are also descriptions of mature beech trees, and the iridescence of beech and birch trees can be seen here in the sunshine. Like at least eight of the twelve woodland sites surveyed, it likely contains some introduced conifer species, such as Douglas fir.
The underlying geology of Core Hill Wood comprises clay-with-flints and chert over Cretaceous Upper Greensand. Upper Greensand typically occurs on the high ground on the valley sides, and the Clay-with-flints forms a plateau capping this high ground. Heathland is a typical habitat type on Upper Greensand substrate.
The wood supports a diverse flora and fauna. It is part of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, which is a rare lowland heath ecosystem. Conservation focuses on promoting biodiversity and restoring heathland habitats. A plant survey was completed in 2022, and species recording is ongoing at Core Hill Wood, meaning the species mix may change.
Specific plants mentioned in the context of Core Hill or nearby woods include Wood Avens. There is a small colony of Giant Hogweed that keeps reappearing in the Core Hill area, which is being tackled. Fungi like Willow bracket and Southern bracket have been observed growing on beech trees in Core Hill woodland. Veteran trees, which provide essential habitats, are a focus of conservation efforts, with a project specifically aimed at saving existing veteran trees and creating future ones here.
Access to Core Hill Wood is via Core Hill Road, a narrow, single-track no-through road off the A3052 west of Sidford. There are no pavements on Core Hill Road. There is a small Woodland Trust car park at the wood that can fit up to seven cars if parked tightly. The main track, a byway open to all traffic (BOAT), rises steeply from the car park and is rough and rutted. There is also a public footpath accessible via a squeeze stile, which follows unsurfaced paths with uphill slopes. Another path connects to a bridleway on the open heathland of the Common. The terrain is hilly and includes unsurfaced paths, making some routes challenging. Despite the challenging terrain, the wood offers rewarding walks with spectacular views, especially during spring and autumn. It is described as an ideal place for a sunny family Sunday walk.