Broadoak Plantation, Clayton Wood & The Keep

Three contiguous blocks of recently established woodland in the village of West Hill, surrounded by large 'wooded' gardens. The woodland and surrounding area form part of the geographic landscape of the East Devon “Pebble Bed Heaths”. This runs in a narrow band from the coast between Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton, north to the A30 just beyond West Hill and forms a high ridge overlooking the Otter Valley. The underlying geology gives rise to a characteristic landscape of “dry lowland heath” which is best represented on the site by the area known as Broadoak. This compartment is dominated by regenerating silver birch and occasional oak which has a sparse heathland ground flora dominated by bracken. Much of the landscape of the pebble bed heaths is designated reflecting its relative importance. The area around West Hill is not designated due to the changes of land ownership, management and the consequent loss of the characteristic semi-natural landscape. Retaining the vestiges of the native landscape within the woodland is particularly important.