Habberley Valley Local Nature Reserve

Habberley Valley Local Nature Reserve is approximately 27.5 hectares (68 acres). The site is largely composed of open acid grass and heathland to the south and is replaced northwards by a succession of birch and oak, which in areas contains a bilberry under-storey. The nature reserve is grazed by our Shetland cattle for around two months of the year.

A prominent feature of the valley is the dominant Peckett Rock. A survival of red sandstone, rising vertically at 120 feet, with gullies up to 20 inches deep, which have been worn over the centuries by the tread of human feet climbing the rock, as it offers the best panoramic views of the nature reserve. This sandstone escarpment gives the site its valley shape in addition to cliffs and rocky outcrops.

The acid grassland in spring/early summer is awash with the striking reds of sheep sorrel, interspersed with the delicate blues of harebell and devil’s bit and sheep’s-bit scabious. The site has a good selection of fungi with Earth Stars being of particular interest. There is also a diverse array of bird life including all three species of woodpecker, common buzzard, tawny owl and sparrowhawk. Reptiles such as adder, slow worm and common lizard are often seen.

Invertebrate species include some real rarities like the terrestrial caddisfly, various solitary wasps, green tiger beetle and an array of moth’s that are scarce in our county, many being present because of the bilberry woodland.

Due to the sandy nature of the soil, horse riding is not permitted.

Habberley Valley is home to some elderly residents and we would ask that you could keep noise levels to a minimum around these properties first thing in the morning and after dusk. In much of the same way as you would expect people to behave in your street.