Great Churchyard Plantation

Wood, Forest in Devon Torridge

England

Great Churchyard Plantation

Hartland Abbey Built in the 12th century, Hartland survived as a monastery for 400 years - longer than any other abbey in the country.

It is the home of the Stucley family and the current owner is Sir Hugh George Copplestone Bampfylde Stucley, 6th Baronet. — Hartland Abbey Credit: Mark Percy

Great Churchyard Plantation is a remarkable woodland located in the county of Devon, England. Situated in the heart of the countryside, it covers a vast area of approximately 200 acres, making it one of the largest and most significant woodlands in the region. The plantation is nestled within the picturesque landscape, surrounded by rolling hills and meandering streams.

This ancient woodland boasts a diverse range of tree species, including oak, beech, ash, and birch, which create a rich and vibrant canopy. The dense foliage provides a haven for a multitude of wildlife, with an abundance of bird species, insects, and small mammals thriving in this natural habitat.

Great Churchyard Plantation is also renowned for its historic significance. It is believed to have existed for hundreds of years, with evidence of human activity dating back to the medieval period. The woodland has witnessed a variety of uses over the years, including timber production and as a hunting ground for local landowners.

Today, the plantation serves as a popular recreational destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers. Numerous walking trails wind their way through the woodland, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the enchanting surroundings and enjoy the tranquility of nature. The plantation is also utilized for educational purposes, with schools and environmental organizations using it as a valuable resource for teaching about the importance of woodland ecosystems and conservation.

Overall, Great Churchyard Plantation stands as a testament to the natural beauty and ecological significance of Devon's woodlands. Its idyllic setting and rich biodiversity make it a cherished asset for both locals and tourists alike.

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Great Churchyard Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.997078/-4.5202504 or Grid Reference SS2324. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Hartland Abbey

Built in the 12th century, Hartland survived as a monastery for 400 years - longer than any other abbey in the country. It is the home of the Stucley family and the current owner is Sir Hugh George Copplestone Bampfylde Stucley, 6th Baronet.

Mark Percy

The back of Hartland Abbey

David Gearing

Cliffs near Hartland Quay

From the car park above the quay.

David Gearing

Abbey River

Dani

Cliffs by Warren Bay near Hartland Quay, Devon

Seen looking north-east from near the quay. The image has been scanned from a Kodak Gold 100 negative dating from August 1990.

Roger D Kidd

Rock strata near Hartland Quay in Devon

This is at the southern end of Warren Beach, looking east-north-east. The image has been scanned from a Kodak Gold 100 negative dating from August 1990.

Roger D Kidd

Warren Beach and Cliff near Hartland Quay in Devon

Looking approximately east from near the quay.

Roger D Kidd

Rock strata (detail) on Warren Beach in Devon

Simon Jones writes: The rocks of Hartland Quay are the remains of a mountain range. Sedimentary rocks were deposited in a shallow sea during the Carboniferous period – about 320 million years ago. The layers are sequences of shales and mudstones representing the remains of sub-marine “avalanches” of sediments called turbidites. At the same time as the sands and mudstones were being deposited at Hartland, coals were being deposited in swamps, forming the South Wales coalfields. Plate tectonics caused the collision of two super continents with Hartland Quay in the middle. Devon was at the southern margin of a super-continent called Laurasia, which collided with the super-continent Pangaea – to the South. As these two mega-continents collided during the Variscan Orogeny the rocks at Hartland Quay were buckled and folded, producing the spectacular chevron shaped folds exposed in the cliffs today. The top surface was then eroded flat. Simon Jones writes: The rocks of Hartland Quay are the remains of a mountain range. Sedimentary rocks were deposited in a shallow sea during the Carboniferous period – about 320 million years ago. The layers are sequences of shales and mudstones representing the remains of sub-marine “avalanches” of sediments called turbidites. At the same time as the sands and mudstones were being deposited at Hartland, coals were being deposited in swamps, forming the South Wales coalfields. Link

(Click "Geology of Hartland") The image has been scanned from a Kodak Gold 100 negative dating from August 1990.