Greystone and Lydes Hill
Greystone Hill and Lydes Hill are adjacent landscapes situated on the western side of the Sid Valley near Sidmouth in. They lie adjacent to Muttersmoor and alongside Bulverton, on the western flank of the valley. As one of the woodland sites surveyed, they are located on high ground outside of the town area.
Greystone and Lydes Hill are designated as primarily woodland within the Sidmouth Nature project survey. They are classified as A0 - Woodland and Scrub, which is supported by the underlying Upper Greensand geology. Upper Greensands are generally found on the high ground on the valley sides. Much of the land is under private ownership.
The area is characterized by a blend of commercial forestry and natural habitats. The eastern slopes of these hills are predominantly covered by commercial conifer plantations. These plantations are noted as being generally detrimental to native flora and fauna because the dense conifers suppress naturally occurring species.
A significant feature that provides ecological benefit is a wide bridleway that runs the length of the hill, from near the Muttersmoor Car Park towards Bulverton. This open corridor through the conifers allows nature to flourish. Along this path, you can find a variety of flora, heath grasses and rushes, scrub, lichens, and mosses. In summer, this area supports a good representation of invertebrate life, making it a pleasant path to walk throughout most of the year.
Yellow pimpernel (Lysimachia nemorum) has been recorded on Greystone & Lydes Hill, although the colony is very small (no greater than a couple of square metres). This small presence means classifying the site under the NVC W7 Alnus/Fraxinus - Lysimachia nemorum community would seem inappropriate. Lichens are also present along the bridleway; lichens are a fusion of a fungus and a simple plant or alga and can grow on tree branches, rocky cliffs, and bare soil depending on humidity, air quality, and the surface.
The bridleway provides access and offers a scenic route for walkers and riders. It is described as a "joy to walk at most times of the year". Visitors can enjoy views of the surrounding countryside. Access is available from near the Muttersmoor Car Park. The bridleway's role as a natural corridor is crucial in conserving local biodiversity by supporting a range of species within the mix of commercial forestry and natural areas. Maintaining such open spaces within commercial forestry areas is highlighted as important.