Executive Summary

Harcombe Lane, situated near Sidmouth within the East Devon National Landscape, represents a critical ecological relic—a "ghost of the forest." While appearing to be a standard country lane, habitat analysis identifies it as a remnant of an ancient woodland that was historically cleared for agriculture. Its primary significance lies in its role as a biodiversity "superhighway," providing essential dark corridors for the rare Greater Horseshoe Bat and housing ancient woodland indicator species such as Dog's Mercury. The lane serves as a living museum, connecting the contemporary pastoral landscape of the Sid Valley to its prehistoric, forested origins.

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Geographic and Geological Context

Harcombe Lane is integrated into the 268-square-kilometre East Devon National Landscape, a protected area established in 1963. The region is characterised by its proximity to the "Jurassic" World Heritage coastline, which documents 185 million years of Earth's history.

• Landscape Morphology: The area transitions from rugged coastal cliffs to inland fertile valleys and "coombes"—steep-sided, wooded ravines.

• Etymology: The name "Harcombe" is derived from these "coombes," grounding the site’s identity in its specific geological and topographical features.

• Surrounding Environment: The lane is situated within a mosaic of farmland, small copses, and tall Devon hedge-banks, typical of the Sid Valley’s pastoral character.

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Botanical Evidence of Ancient Origins

Ecological analysis suggests that Harcombe Lane is a "lane lined with trees" rather than a true woodland. However, its botanical composition provides definitive evidence that it was once a footpath through a vast, continuous forest.

Key Indicator Species

The most significant evidence of the lane's ancient history is the presence of Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis perennis).

• Significance: Known as an "ancient woodland indicator species," it is slow-spreading and colonizes new areas with difficulty.

• Ecological Implication: Its presence on the lane’s banks suggests a continuous woodland cover spanning centuries, preserving the seed bank of the original forest.

Additional Flora

• Royal Fern: This rare species survives in the damp, shaded upper reaches of the surrounding valley system.

• Hedge-banks: The lane is defined by tall Devon hedge-banks, ancient structures composed of earth and stone that function as independent ecosystems.

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The Wildlife "Superhighway": Connectivity and Habitat

Harcombe Lane serves as a vital corridor for several high-priority species, linking fragmented habitats across the Sid Valley.

Greater Horseshoe Bats

Harcombe Lane is a critical "commuter route" for the Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), one of the UK’s rarest mammals.

• Population Status: The UK population is estimated at 6,500 individuals. Devon is a national stronghold, hosting approximately one-third of this population.

• Function of the Lane: The continuous, dark corridor provided by overhanging trees and high banks allows bats to travel safely from roosts to feeding grounds.

• Ecological Synergy: The bats feed on insects, particularly dung beetles, found in nearby pastures. This population is supported by the regenerative, chemical-free management of land by organizations such as The Donkey Sanctuary.

Aquatic and Riparian Species

The area’s biodiversity extends to the waterways that intersect the landscape near the lane.

• European Otter: Regularly recorded along the Snod Brook and other local streams, using these routes to travel through the Sid Valley.

• European Mole (Talpa europaea): Present within the banks of Harcombe Lane, though considered relatively rare in this specific location.

Population Indices at Harcombe Lane:

Species Common Name Status

Mercurialis perennis Dog's Mercury Ancient Woodland Indicator

Rhinolophus ferrumequinum Greater Horseshoe Bat Rare; Devon holds 1/3 of UK population 

Talpa europaea European Mole

Lutra lutra European Otter Recorded in nearby Snod Brook |

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Conclusion: The Living Relic

Harcombe Lane is more than a utilitarian path; it is a preserved fragment of ecological history. By maintaining its structure as a dark, vegetated corridor, the lane supports the survival of rare nocturnal mammals and preserves a botanical record of the region's ancient broadleaf forests. It stands as a testament to the value of unassuming landscape features in maintaining regional biodiversity and historical continuity.