Harptree Combe

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Coordinates: 51°17′59″N 2°37′52″W / 51.29962°N 2.63106°W / 51.29962; -2.63106
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Harptree Combe
Notification
1954 (1954)
Natural England website

Harptree Combe (

notified in 1954. "Combe" or "coombe" is a West Country
word meaning a steep-sided valley. It is also the site of a 19th-century aqueduct and is overlooked by the site of a castle dating from around 1100.

In August 2009, 22.67 acres (9.17 ha) of the Combe were purchased by Alan Sheppard for £60,000. He became the third owner since 1805, the previous sale being in 1922.[2]

Ecology

Appleyard's Feather-moss Brachythecium appleyardiae was described as new to science from this site in 1981, although doubt has been cast on the validity of the species as a result of genetic evidence published in 2005 which suggests that this moss is in fact a member of the widespread moss species Scleropodium cespitans.[3]

Grassy clearings within the combe are the only site in

Spreading Bellflower Campanula patula is found. The species was first found here in 1829.[4]

Harptree Combe is a narrow limestone gorge containing a variety of habitats, including Ash woodland, rough grassland, natural and artificial rock faces, and a small, marshy stream. The valley wood has been identified as an ancient woodland site, rich in tree and shrub species, and with a ground flora containing plants such as

Brittle Bladder-fern Cystopteris fragilis, are rare in Southern England.[5]

Aqueduct

The aqueduct in Harptree Combe

An aqueduct for Bristol water supply follows the line of the combe. It was completed in 1851, with James Simpson acting as the chief engineer, and it is still in use today. It consists of a wrought iron tube, which runs underground for 18 kilometres (11 mi), to Bristol Reservoirs but where it appears above ground it is supported by limestone piers and abutments. It is probably the oldest surviving example of such engineering and has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II listed building.[6]

Richmont Castle

Site of Richmont Castle

The scanty ruins of Richmont Castle are just above the combe. The castle was besieged in 1138 when

Henry VIII
.

Earthworks of Richmont Castle

Wade and Wade in their 1929 book Somerset described it: "On an inaccessible tongue of land at the far end of the gorge are the remains of Richmont Castle, one of those lawless strongholds which in the days of Stephen were a terror to the country side. In 1138 it was strongly garrisoned by its owner, William de Harptree, on behalf of the Empress Matilda, but was taken by Stephen by the ruse of a feigned repulse. Now, only a fragment of the keep overlooks the glen."[8] Some earthworks are still visible but partially covered by the undergrowth.

References

  1. ^ "SSSI background data (Avon)". Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  2. ^ "Consultant buys up historic land". This is Somerset. 30 July 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
  3. ^ "Mrs. Appleyard's moss". ARKive. Archived from the original on 7 February 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2006.
  4. ^ * Myles, Sarah L. (ed.) (2000) The Flora of the Bristol Region Pisces Publications
  5. ^ "Harptree Combe" (PDF). English Nature. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2006. Retrieved 10 July 2006.
  6. ^ Historic England. "Aqueduct in Harptree Combe (Grade II) (1129583)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  7. ISBN 0-85033-461-6
    .
  8. ^ Wade, G.W.; Wade, J.H. (1929). Somerset. London: Methuen & Co.

Further reading

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