Page Wood

Executive Summary

Page Wood, situated on the steep western slopes of Salcombe Hill near Sidmouth, serves as a primary example of "maturing secondary woodland" in the midst of a significant successional journey. Managed by the National Trust, the site has transitioned from intensive hill grazing—which ceased around 1850—to a thriving forest environment. With a woodland plant species dominance of 60.3%, it is steadily moving toward the ecological maturity characteristic of ancient woodlands.

The management philosophy for Page Wood is defined by "wilding" and a "light touch" approach. The National Trust prioritizes natural succession over heavy intervention, maintaining an "untidy" aesthetic that provides critical habitats for protected species like the Hazel Dormouse. Access is intentionally challenging, featuring a cascade of steps that act as a "protection by difficulty" strategy, preserving the wood's wild character from heavy foot traffic. Geologically founded on Upper Greensand, the site supports a diverse mosaic of habitats, including dense scrub, high canopy, and significant populations of native bluebells.

Geographical Context and Access

Page Wood is a vast woodland gripping the upper western slopes of Salcombe Hill, rising to the east of Sidmouth. Its physical characteristics and access strategy are central to its ecological preservation.

• Topography: The defining feature of the wood is its sheer steepness. The terrain requires a "significant number of steps" for navigation, making it a demanding environment for visitors.

• Access Points: Direct access is available from the National Trust car park on Salcombe Hill, with additional routes ascending from Sidmouth via the coastal path.

• Management of Interaction: The National Trust employs a strategy of "Protection by Difficulty." By maintaining the rustic, challenging nature of the paths rather than "urbanising" them with tarmac or stone, the Trust limits heavy traffic to protect the wood's interior and maintain tranquillity.

• Resilience and Maintenance: Due to the geological composition (Upper Greensand over impermeable mudstone), the slopes are prone to "sliding." Maintenance focuses on post-winter drainage and path stability to ensure safety while preserving the rustic character.

Ecological Classification and History

Page Wood is not an ancient forest but a landscape in transition. Its history is written in the data collected by the Sidmouth Nature project.

Successional Timeline

Evidence suggests the land was used for open pasture until approximately 1850. When intensive grazing ceased, natural regeneration began. The wood is now classified as "Woodland and Scrub (A0)," representing a mosaic of tall trees and shrubby areas.

Botanical Metrics

The Sidmouth Nature project recorded 53 plant species within the wood:

• Woodland Species: 32 species are dedicated woodland plants.

• Dominance Rating: 60.3% woodland plant species dominance.

• Benchmarking: While below the 70% benchmark used to identify "ancient" or long-established woodland, the 60.3% metric confirms its status as a maturing secondary woodland on a clear path toward ecological maturity.

Management Philosophy: "Wilding" through Succession

The National Trust manages Page Wood as one of its most rugged holdings, focusing on successional recovery rather than manicured maintenance.

• The "Untidy" Aesthetic: Management is intentionally "light touch." Fallen trees and thick brambles are left in place to provide vital habitats for small mammals and birds.

• Halo Thinning: To encourage the development of "veteran" status in older trees, the Trust occasionally removes competing younger growth from around their bases, a process known as "halo thinning."

• Scrub Management: The dense scrub (bramble, hawthorn, and blackthorn) is recognised as a vital stage of recovery. It offers food, shelter, and nesting sites, particularly on the western edges where it serves as a "nesting sanctuary."

• Bluebell Safeguarding: The wood contains a significant population of native Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). Management activities and scrub clearance are strictly timed to avoid disturbing bulbs during their dormant or growing phases.

Biodiversity and Wildlife

The interplay of geology and habitat creates a multi-layered ecosystem supporting a variety of flora and fauna.

Geological Foundation

The wood sits on the Upper Greensand formation. This sandstone creates well-drained, nutrient-rich, and slightly acidic soils, which directly dictate the types of plant life that thrive on the woodland floor.

Flora Highlights

Species Significance

Native Bluebell An indicator of ancient woodland; suggests remnants of older woods survived to colonize the new canopy.

Greater Stitchwort Thrives on moist, shaded edges; early nectar source for pollinators.

Wood Avens Signals a stable, developing forest floor environment.

Rough Meadow Grass Essential for soil stabilisation on steep slopes to prevent erosion.

Red Campion / Herb Robert Supported by selective thinning that allows sunlight to reach the understory.

Fauna

• Avian Life: The steep, sun-facing slopes create thermals for Common Buzzards. The canopy and understory support European Robins and flocks of Long-tailed Tits. The scrub is particularly important for various warblers.

• Mammals: The "untidy" understory is a haven for the protected Hazel Dormouse. The presence of veteran trees and continuous corridors also provides roosting and foraging opportunities for various bat species.

Comparative Analysis: Page Wood vs. Combe Head Wood

The following table outlines the distinct differences between Page Wood and its neighbouring National Trust holding, Combe Head Wood.

Feature Page Wood (NT) Combe Head Wood (NT)

Philosophy Succession & Wildness Accessibility & Ancient Plantation

Terrain Steep / Challenging Steps Flat / Accessible Stoned Paths

Ecological Goal Maturing Secondary Forest Restoring Ancient Woodland Features

Woodland Dominance 60.3% 70.5%

Visitor Profile Strenuous hikers & quiet seekers Families, pushchairs, and wheelchairs

Conclusion

Page Wood represents a living testament to nature’s patient reclamation of the Sid Valley. Its value lies in its "wild heart"—a landscape defined by its journey from pasture to sanctuary. By prioritising successional wildness over accessibility, management ensures the preservation of a unique, untamed natural space that continues to evolve toward ecological maturity.

Page Wood, a rugged and wonderfully wild woodland gripping the steep western slopes of Salcombe Hill, is featured on a few specialised local nature and trail websites.

Because of its challenging terrain and role in the valley's ecosystem, it has distinct coverage on these specific digital platforms:

1. Sidmouth Nature (sidmouth-nature.uk)

This local independent site provides the most comprehensive, data-driven ecological and management profile of Page Wood, featuring it prominently under its "Wild Places" registry.

• Management Philosophy: The profile highlights that Page Wood is managed by the National Trust as a maturing secondary woodland on a deliberate "successional journey" (reclaiming former open land).

• "Protection by Difficulty": The site details a fascinating management choice by the Trust—they intentionally maintain the wood’s rustic, cascading steps and choose not to "urbanize" the paths with tarmac or level stone. This steep, challenging terrain deliberately limits heavy foot traffic, protecting the wood's inner sanctuary and preserving its "wild heart" and deep tranquillity.

• Geological Challenges: The profile tracks how the wood's placement—sitting on a high cap of Upper Greensand over impermeable mudstone—makes the paths prone to post-winter sliding, documenting active trust maintenance to reinforce the steps naturally.

2. The National Trust (nationaltrust.org.uk)

As the official custodian of the wood, the National Trust integrates Page Wood into its wider management maps for the East Devon Coast & Countryside portfolio. Trust resources feature it as an ideal location for those seeking a quiet, immersive trek away from the busier coastal segments, noting it can be directly accessed from the upper Salcombe Hill car park or via a strenuous climb up from the town's lower eastern paths.

3. Sidmouth Arboretum (sidmoutharboretum.org.uk)

The wood is prominently featured on the official Salcombe Regis Tree Trail Walking Guide.

• The Walking Itinerary: The downloadable trail leaflet routes hikers straight through Page Wood as they transition from the dense, tangled understory of the lower valley oaks up toward the open heights of Salcombe Hill.

• Flora & Avian Encounters: The guide highlights the changing canopy species and notes that the steep slopes are carpeted with Bluebells in April and Foxgloves in May. It features local wildlife spotting tips for the wood, advising walkers to look out for roe deer in the glades or listen for territorial wood-peckers beating rhythms in the mature trees.