Leftlake Mires

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Devon South Hams

England

Leftlake Mires

Cairn on Sharp Tor
Cairn on Sharp Tor Credit: Chris Andrews

Leftlake Mires is a stunning coastal marsh and saltings located in Devon, England. Situated on the southern coast, it encompasses an area of approximately 200 acres, offering a diverse and unique ecosystem. The site is renowned for its exceptional beauty and is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and photographers.

The landscape of Leftlake Mires is characterized by a combination of saltmarshes, mudflats, and brackish lagoons. These diverse habitats provide a haven for a wide range of flora and fauna species. The marshes are abundant with salt-tolerant plants such as samphire, sea lavender, and glasswort, which add vibrant colors to the landscape.

The area is particularly famous for its rich birdlife. Leftlake Mires serves as an important breeding and feeding ground for numerous bird species, including waders, waterfowl, and seabirds. Visitors often have the opportunity to spot rare and protected species, such as avocets, curlews, and little egrets. The marshes are also a vital stopover point for migrating birds during the spring and autumn seasons.

Leftlake Mires is not only a haven for wildlife but also a place of great ecological significance. The site plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem, providing important habitats for various species and contributing to the overall health of the surrounding marine environment.

Visitors to Leftlake Mires can enjoy a range of activities, including birdwatching, nature walks, and photography. The site is easily accessible, with designated trails and observation points that allow visitors to explore the marshes while minimizing disruption to the delicate ecosystem. The breathtaking views, diverse wildlife, and tranquil atmosphere make Leftlake Mires a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful retreat by the coast.

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Leftlake Mires Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.454985/-3.9046755 or Grid Reference SX6463. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Cairn on Sharp Tor
Cairn on Sharp Tor
Sharp Tor A view from the Tor to the River Erme.
Sharp Tor
A view from the Tor to the River Erme.
Trig Point and Carn, Three Barrows
Trig Point and Carn, Three Barrows
Ponies on Three Barrows
Ponies on Three Barrows
Redlake Tramway Built in 1911 to connect the china clay works to Bittaford. Closed in 1932.
Redlake Tramway
Built in 1911 to connect the china clay works to Bittaford. Closed in 1932.
Harford Moor A lone boundary stone in a sea of green.
Harford Moor
A lone boundary stone in a sea of green.
Flooded Pit, Leftlake The extraction pit for china clay.
Flooded Pit, Leftlake
The extraction pit for china clay.
Tramway Bridge, Leftlake
Tramway Bridge, Leftlake
Hook Lake prehistoric stone row A single prehistoric stone row measuring 227m long, including at least 92 mainly medium-sized stones and a few small stones. The row is orientated north to south and leads downslope (south) from a cairn. The southern length of the row is partly incorporated into a prehistoric enclosure wall and at one-point a round house has been built up against one of the row stones. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://stonerows.wordpress.com/gazetteer/region/dartmoor/hook-lake/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://stonerows.wordpress.com/gazetteer/region/dartmoor/hook-lake/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Hook Lake prehistoric stone row
A single prehistoric stone row measuring 227m long, including at least 92 mainly medium-sized stones and a few small stones. The row is orientated north to south and leads downslope (south) from a cairn. The southern length of the row is partly incorporated into a prehistoric enclosure wall and at one-point a round house has been built up against one of the row stones. LinkExternal link
Cairn on Sharp Tor A large cairn close to the summit of Sharp Tor measures up to 25m in diameter and stands approximately 1.8m high. The lower part of the cairn is of earth and stone and the upper portion is composed of loose rubble. Rushes around the edge of the mound may suggest the presence of an external ditch. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=53059" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=53059">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Cairn on Sharp Tor
A large cairn close to the summit of Sharp Tor measures up to 25m in diameter and stands approximately 1.8m high. The lower part of the cairn is of earth and stone and the upper portion is composed of loose rubble. Rushes around the edge of the mound may suggest the presence of an external ditch. LinkExternal link
Upper Erme prehistoric stone row The longest prehistoric stone row in the world is of the single type and measures 3,386m long, including around 922 mainly medium and small-sized stones together with some large orthostats. Stone row leading from the kerbed cairn (Scale 1m). <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://stonerows.wordpress.com/gazetteer/region/dartmoor/upper-erme/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://stonerows.wordpress.com/gazetteer/region/dartmoor/upper-erme/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Upper Erme prehistoric stone row
The longest prehistoric stone row in the world is of the single type and measures 3,386m long, including around 922 mainly medium and small-sized stones together with some large orthostats. Stone row leading from the kerbed cairn (Scale 1m). LinkExternal link
Upper Erme prehistoric stone row and kerbed cairn The longest prehistoric stone row in the world is of the single type and measures 3,386m long, including around 922 mainly medium and small-sized stones together with some large orthostats. The stone row leads from a well preserved kerbed cairn.
<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://stonerows.wordpress.com/gazetteer/region/dartmoor/upper-erme/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://stonerows.wordpress.com/gazetteer/region/dartmoor/upper-erme/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Upper Erme prehistoric stone row and kerbed cairn
The longest prehistoric stone row in the world is of the single type and measures 3,386m long, including around 922 mainly medium and small-sized stones together with some large orthostats. The stone row leads from a well preserved kerbed cairn. LinkExternal link
Blatchford Brook Foot Ford prehistoric settlement An enclosed prehistoric settlement probably of Middle Bronze Age date (c. 1400 -1000 BC). <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=14935" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=14935">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Blatchford Brook Foot Ford prehistoric settlement
An enclosed prehistoric settlement probably of Middle Bronze Age date (c. 1400 -1000 BC). LinkExternal link
Blatchford Bottom 1 prehistoric settlement Prehistoric settlement including at least eight houses and several fields.
Blatchford Bottom 1 prehistoric settlement
Prehistoric settlement including at least eight houses and several fields.
Tin streamwork in the Erme Valley The entire valley bottom has been dug over systematically in the search for and collection of tin ore. Much of what is visible is probably early post-medieval in date but some may be medieval. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://earlytin.wordpress.com/thesis-1986/chapter-five-fieldwork-interpretation/extraction-alluvial-streamworks/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://earlytin.wordpress.com/thesis-1986/chapter-five-fieldwork-interpretation/extraction-alluvial-streamworks/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Tin streamwork in the Erme Valley
The entire valley bottom has been dug over systematically in the search for and collection of tin ore. Much of what is visible is probably early post-medieval in date but some may be medieval. LinkExternal link
Tinner's building in the Erme Valley Tinner's buildings provided shelter and storage for those employed in the nearby streamworks. This one is bigger than average perhaps reflecting a larger than normal workforce (Scale 1m). <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://earlytin.wordpress.com/thesis-1986/chapter-five-fieldwork-interpretation/ancillary-buildings/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://earlytin.wordpress.com/thesis-1986/chapter-five-fieldwork-interpretation/ancillary-buildings/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Tinner's building in the Erme Valley
Tinner's buildings provided shelter and storage for those employed in the nearby streamworks. This one is bigger than average perhaps reflecting a larger than normal workforce (Scale 1m). LinkExternal link
Alluvial tin streamwork in the Erme Valley Series of parallel drystone walls (known as stiling) revetting waste dumps thrown up during streamworking operations. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://earlytin.wordpress.com/thesis-1986/chapter-five-fieldwork-interpretation/extraction-alluvial-streamworks/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://earlytin.wordpress.com/thesis-1986/chapter-five-fieldwork-interpretation/extraction-alluvial-streamworks/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Alluvial tin streamwork in the Erme Valley
Series of parallel drystone walls (known as stiling) revetting waste dumps thrown up during streamworking operations. LinkExternal link
Alluvial tin streamwork in the Erme Valley A series of waste dumps revetted by drystone walling known as stiling. The dumps were produced during systematic working of the tin deposits. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://earlytin.wordpress.com/thesis-1986/chapter-five-fieldwork-interpretation/extraction-alluvial-streamworks/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://earlytin.wordpress.com/thesis-1986/chapter-five-fieldwork-interpretation/extraction-alluvial-streamworks/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Alluvial tin streamwork in the Erme Valley
A series of waste dumps revetted by drystone walling known as stiling. The dumps were produced during systematic working of the tin deposits. LinkExternal link
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Leftlake Mires is located at Grid Ref: SX6463 (Lat: 50.454985, Lng: -3.9046755)

Administrative County: Devon

District: South Hams

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///sports.downs.rollover. Near South Brent, Devon

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Leftlake Mires

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.454985,-3.9046755
Created By: Potlatch 0.10f
Historic: wayside_cross
Lat/Long: 50.4520873/-3.9013632
Historic: ruins
Lat/Long: 50.4545197/-3.9092857
Historic: ruins
Lat/Long: 50.4548411/-3.90837
Spoil tip
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 50.4555605/-3.9076872
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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