The Knapp Nature Pond

In nearly every town and city, there are overlooked corners—small patches of land that have faded from public memory, lost to overgrowth and neglect. For years, the Lower Knapp Pond in Sidmouth was one such place. Tucked away between Station Road, Winslade Road, and Peaslands Road, this small nature reserve was originally created as a community asset but had slowly disappeared under a suffocating blanket of invasive plants.

What was once a well-loved spot for local families had become a barely visible, ecologically compromised body of water. Its story seemed to be over. But thanks to the vision and hard work of a dedicated group of volunteers, this forgotten pond was pulled back from the brink, beginning a remarkable transformation into a thriving hub for some of the region's most precious wildlife.

The recent history of The Knapp is one of profound transformation. In 2019, the Sid Vale Association (SVA) purchased the 8.5-acre reserve from the East Devon District Council. This act wasn't just a simple land acquisition; it was the modern continuation of a remarkable legacy. Formed in 1846, the SVA holds the distinction of being England’s first Civic Society, and for nearly 180 years it has worked to protect the Sid Valley.

For years, The Knapp had become "somewhat neglected," but the SVA, true to its pioneering history, saw its immense potential. Adjoining their existing Peasland Knapp land, the purchase united the two properties into a single, "attractive hilly area in the centre of town." This land has deep roots in the community's past; the 1839 Tithe Map showed it as a "patchwork of arable fields," and within living memory, it served as cattle pasture. Today, its revival is powered by the passion of local volunteers. They have done "amazing work... renovating the paths and pond and planting many trees," breathing new life into the reserve and turning a forgotten corner of town back into a flourishing haven for both people and wildlife.

Over the next two decades, a lack of active management allowed an ecological crisis to unfold. The pond became choked by an aggressive invasive species, Australian Swamp Stonecrop (Crassula helmsii). This plant formed a dense, 4-5 inch thick mat across the surface, strangling native flora like the vibrant Yellow Flag Iris, Reedmace, and Purple Loosestrife and all but eliminating open water.

In 2018, a restoration project driven entirely by volunteers began the epic task of reclaiming the pond. The work was grueling, requiring over 100 person-hours of hard labor. The team pumped out the water, used saws to cut through the thick mats of rhizomes, and painstakingly bucketed out decades of accumulated mud.

To eradicate the invasive stonecrop without chemicals, the volunteers employed a clever, nature-based solution. All the removed plant matter was gathered and sealed under heavy tarpaulins for six months. This method of total light deprivation effectively killed the highly resilient plant, ensuring it could not re-establish itself. The restoration also involved a crucial philosophical shift: the mains water supply, a source of nitrates and chlorine detrimental to sensitive aquatic life, was deactivated. The pond would now be a more natural, seasonal habitat fed by rainwater, fundamentally improving its water quality.

"The rebirth of the 'Lower Knapp Pond Reserve' is a wonderful example of community spirit."

The restoration triggered a dramatic ecological revival. Freed from the grip of the invasive stonecrop, the pond and its surrounding reserve quickly became a hotspot for local flora and fauna.

A Botanical Hotspot

By 2021, an incredible survey recorded nearly 100 different flowering plant species within the reserve. The health of the pond itself was supported by key strategic plantings. Donated water lilies were introduced, their broad leaves reducing light penetration to suppress algae growth. To combat the severe algal blooms common in new ponds, volunteers used barley straw, which naturally decomposes to produce low levels of hydrogen peroxide—a substance harmless to wildlife but highly effective at inhibiting algae.

The reserve now hosts notable plants like Lady’s Smock, the primary host for the Orange-tip butterfly, and Yellow Rattle, a fascinating hemi-parasitic plant that weakens dominant grasses, allowing wildflowers to flourish. It has also become home to rare and significant trees planted by the Sidmouth Arboretum, including Mulberry, Quince, Medlar, and a Black Poplar—the UK’s rarest native tree.

A Sanctuary for Creatures Great and Small

The very first creature recorded returning to the pond after it was refilled was the Lesser Water Boatman. Its arrival was soon followed by many others, including Caddis Fly larvae, whose presence is a reliable indicator of a healthy, unpolluted aquatic environment.

Today, the pond is a confirmed breeding site for amphibians, including Palmate Newts, common frogs, and toads. Most significantly, the revitalized reserve has become a sanctuary for protected species. The abundant insect life attracts rare bats, including the Lesser Horseshoe Bat, which has been recorded hunting over the water. In the surrounding hedgerows, evidence of the protected Hazel Dormouse has been found, highlighting the reserve’s importance as a safe haven.

The Lower Knapp Pond does not function as an isolated ecological "island." Instead, it acts as a core node within a 30-acre urban nature network known as the "Knapp and Knowle cluster." This network connects the pond with other nearby green spaces, including Knowle Gardens and the local cemetery.

The journey of the Lower Knapp Pond is a powerful testament to what can be achieved when a community refuses to let a piece of its natural heritage disappear. Through sheer determination, volunteers transformed a forgotten plot of land from an ecological dead zone into a vital biodiversity hotspot.

The story proves that small, fragmented green spaces can have a disproportionately large impact. A single pond, anchoring a small cluster of green spaces, now supports nearly half of all the species recorded across the wider Sidmouth survey area. It serves as an inspiring reminder to look again at the neglected corners in our own communities and wonder what hidden potential might be waiting to be reawakened.