Avon Valley Woods - Woodleigh
Site Description
The Avon Valley Woods are a combination of steep, valley side ancient woodlands and significant areas of new woodland creation on former arable land. Together with private woodlands to the north, they form an important woodland complex in the South Hams, significant for their value, in terms of wildlife conservation, scenic beauty and public access. There are 4 Woodland Trust owned woods in close proximity: Aveton Wood, Watkins Wood, Centry Wood and Avon Woods (which also separately known locally as Bedlime Wood, Titcombe Wood & Woodleigh Wood).
The Avon River is a major river cutting through the valley, criss-crossing the river are the remnants of an old railway that was known as the 'Primrose Line', above this and to the east are the Avon Woods. This was the first property acquired by the Woodland Trust and runs for nearly 3km along the east bank of the Avon Valley. Semi-Natural and Ancient in origin, the woods epitomise Devonian woodlands: predominately Oak, hanging on a steep sided valley with open farmland above on the highest ground. Most of Avon Woods are mature high forest and of similar species composition, but due to the difficulties of management access have received little management input in the past. As a result they have a 'wild' nature and are rich and varied being valued by local walkers. In places the woodland edge runs down to, and along the river.
Opposite and to the North West is Aveton wood which is predominately a Planted Ancient Woodland site; largely clear felled and replanted with conifer in the 1960s. This wood is bounded by a public road, pasture land, the old railway line and the River Avon. Whilst remnant broadleaved trees remain, this wood is mostly Larch and Douglas Fir. Some of the conifers have been thinned commercially in the past but there are areas where steep and difficult terrain has meant the crop has received little attention. Many ancient woodland species are still present, mostly in the banks, rides and edges where replanting has not occurred. The site offers a superb opportunity for the Trust to demonstrate its commitment to preserving threatened ancient woodland, with enormous potential for nature conservation bio-diversity and landscape enhancement by converting the site back to broadleaved cover. Since the wood has been in private ownership and there are no public footpaths, there is also an opportunity for informal access provision in a very attractive area. Both Aveton and Avon Woods can be wet with many spring line seepages on steep ground and seasonal streams running to the river adding greatly to the bio-diversity and wildlife interest.
In stark contrast to this are Watkins Wood and Centry Woods. These are being created on ex-arable farmland running eastwards from the edge of Woodleigh Wood, crossing the plateau near Woodleigh and descending into the Torr Brook Valley. These fields, surrounded by high Devon Banks and Hedges will become significant new native woodland in memory of Kenneth Watkins OBE, Founder of the Woodland Trust. They will extend and buffer the first acquisition and link two valleys together. Some of the site has already been planted with young trees and some is still under an arable farming tenancy. As the land comes out of the farm tenancy, new woodland will be created by planting and where possible natural regeneration. Existing woodland in this area consists of a small copse, isolated trees and the lightly wooded Torr Brook.
The general area is sparsely populated with farms and small hamlets to the north. Watkins & Centry Woods abut the northern side of the small community at Woodleigh whilst Loddiswell Village is 1.5km distant.
