Minimal Sites: Lanes and Wayside
Bickwell Valley is significant due to its combination of architectural heritage and natural beauty. It's located on the western edge of Sidmouth within a designated conservation area in the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The valley features large detached villas from the late 19th and early 20th centuries nestled within a natural hollow landscape with mature trees and gardens. Its environmental and historical importance is underscored by its conservation status and initiatives like the Sid Valley Biodiversity Group's efforts to address runoff issues in the Bickwell Brook catchment. It's also known as a rich area for wild plants, with 70 species recorded in a biodiversity survey.
Dunscombe Manor and Dunscombe Farm have deep historical roots. Dunscombe Manor is thought to have been part of the ancient Domesday manor of "Selcombe" or Salcombe Regis, with origins potentially tracing back to at least 925 AD. The original manor house was destroyed by a fire around 1763 and now exists as ruins. Dunscombe Farm also contributes to the region's equestrian history through Constancia Stud, a stud farm situated along the Jurassic Coast that has a history of breeding Swedish and other sport horses.
The area surrounding Dunscombe Manor is ecologically significant due to its rich biodiversity, particularly in its hedgerow scrub habitats. Surveys conducted in the lanes from the Donkey Sanctuary car park past Dunscombe Manor to the National Trust site at Lincombe highlight the importance of these habitats, which support a variety of wildlife. This underscores the ecological value of the landscape in this region.
The Harpford Trailway is a walking and cycling route that follows the track bed of a former railway line. This line originally ran from what is now Feniton Station to Sidmouth but was closed in 1967 as part of Dr Beeching's modernisation plans. The specific stretch designated as the Harpford Trailway for the Sidmouth Nature project runs from where the former railway emerges from Harpford Wood and goes west, then north, towards Tipton St John. It is distinguished from the section that runs through the woodland.
The Harpford Trailway route passes through varied landscapes. It begins near Harpford, alongside agricultural land and a horse stables. After passing under a bridge, the area becomes more wooded with a conifer plantation to the left, before opening up into agricultural pasture for the remainder of the way to Tipton. The vegetation along the trailway is described as lush and typical of enriched soils, with dominant species including cock’s-foot, docks, nettles, and brambles, along with fringes of hedgerow scrub on both sides.
For the purposes of the Sidmouth Nature project, the River Sid is divided into different survey areas. The stretch referred to as the ‘Lower Sid’ is specifically defined as the part of the river from where it emerges from under the bridge in Salcombe Road, flows over the ford in Millford Road, continues on to the weir by the Ham, and finally enters the sea. This distinguishes it from stretches of the river located further inland, such as those passing through the Byes.
The Upper Byes is one of several survey areas within the Byes Riverside Park, a significant green space in Sidmouth. This section of the park runs alongside the River Sid and spans approximately two kilometres between Sidford and the Old Toll House. Specifically, the Upper Byes section for the Sidmouth Nature project survey is the stretch of the path starting from Sidford and continuing until it reaches the bridge just south of Margaret's Meadow.
The Upper Byes area features a variety of landscapes and vegetation. The path initially goes through amenity grassland used for recreation, then enters an interesting wooded area, before emerging into a more open area with pasture and a substantial hedgerow. It also passes through a rough scrub and grassland area known as the Livornia Field. Due to the proximity of housing on the western side, some garden 'escapes' have become established among the flora, and many daffodils have been introduced. A significant number of plants and trees are found in this area, largely attributed to the SVA-owned and managed Livornia Field and the woodland near the rugby club.