Dunkery and Horner Wood Nature Reserve

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.

In 1944 Sir Richard Ackland gave to the National Trust the freehold of all this land except for that on Winsford Hill.

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

See also:

Horner Woods

Heather

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