Knapp Copse Nature Reserve near Honiton
When I started this website, it was all about recommending some of the less well known places in my local area that I felt deserve to be seen. However these are becoming harder to find, partly because we all share so much through social media these days. Sometimes I decide not to tell you about the walks I come across. Maybe the parking is not great, it’s really too muddy or there is a chance of people getting lost, so some gems stay hidden. However Knapp Copse Nature Reserve near Honiton needs to be found.
Tucked away in East Devon you will enjoy wonderful views here with many wild flowers and birds to spot. This is a short hilly country walk but can be easily extended. The East Devon Way (a National Trail) runs through it’s centre and there are other footpaths nearby that can be linked into. Dogs are welcome but animals are often grazing some of the fields so you need be aware of that.
Restoring the Landscape
Looking at this picturesque landscape, it is hard to believe that part of the area was once an active landfill site until 1982.
Restored by Devon County Council, the nature reserve is now managed by Wild East Devon. This team manage and promote a number of reserves in the area, most of which I have written about in these pages.
With help from local volunteers, over the last few years, this site has been cleared of brambles and invasive plants. The group led by Site Ranger Jon, frequently carry out practical wildlife conservation such as path clearing, hedge laying and habitat rewildling.
The team from Wild East Devon continue to enhance biodiversity through practices such as hedge maintenance for dormice and bats, grassland management for the small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly and scrub clearance to improve plant diversity in the mires.
Recent work carried out at Knapp Copse includes clearing an orchard and getting it ready for regeneration.
One of East Devon’s hidden treasures
Knapp Copse near Honiton is one of East Devon’s hidden treasures. The reserve spans both sides the steep Roncombe Valley within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and features an attractive mosaic of ancient woodland, grazed meadows and spring line mires.
Dark Skies Discovery Site
The remote location of the reserve makes Knapp Copse a perfect spot for stargazing. It has even been designated as a Dark Skies Discovery Site, one of only three reserves in Devon to hold that accolade. The other Wild East Devon site is Trinity Hill near Axminster which is also easily accessible and offers the potential to see the Milky Way.
Walking Knapp Copse Nature Reserve
To really appreciate the reserve you need to be reasonably fit and sure footed or give yourself time to walk slowly.
Although the well marked route is not long (about 1.5 miles in total), it does go down one side of the valley and quite steeply back up the other side.
In Spring the area is gorgeous as the trees unfurl into leaf and wild flowers such as bluebells and orchids start to bloom. In the Autumn enjoy the changing colours of countryside and the crunch of leaves under foots. In the winter wrap up warm and make sure you wear wellies as this reserve is certainly muddy in places.
In the Spring of 2021 exciting work on new tiered ponds on the south bank of the valley has taken place as well as a new stretch of boardwalk over the boggy ground near there. The East Devon Way which passes through the reserve has been resurfaced at the bottom of the hill.
Wild East Devon run guided walks and educational visits to Knapp Copse as the vast site with a multitude of habitats allows for in-depth exploration. I was lucky enough to be shown around the reserve by Will, whose passion for the local reserves and its bio diversity was clear.
Exploring the Nature Reserve
From the car park head downhill through the gate and past the interpretation panel. Follow the track for around 50m until you reach a wooden finger post. Turn left and follow the footpath through the metal field gate.
Once through the gate, the path runs along a sloping field. Follow the permissive path along the ridge and pass through the gap in the hedge bank.
The path then opens up into a large downward sloping field which is rich in flowers during the spring and summer and from where you can enjoy stunning views down the Roncombe Valley.
The signposted route takes you down into the valley. Turn right and for a short while you are on the East Devon Way. After 100 metres follow the signs to the left and take the permissive path though the woods and up past the new pond area. Then there is a steep climb back up the other side of the valley. The route then turns back towards the carpark at the top of the hill to complete the circuit.
For a PDF map CLICK HERE Knapp Copse map of the walking route. If you return to the site you can explore alternative routes or extend the walk to include other local footpaths.
Useful Information About Knapp Copse
Directions and Parking
Knapp Copse is roughly half way between Honiton and Sidmouth just off the A375, it’s about 1km from the Hare and Hounds Pub.
The nearest postcode is EX10 0QG. What3Words: Entrance ///midwinter.nuptials.springing
There is a small carpark at the entrance. Be careful not to leave any valuables in your car. Link to Wild East Devon Nature Reserve website here.
Facilities
There are no public toilets or any other facilities at the site. The nearest options would be Tesco in Honiton, the Hare and Hounds Inn or the Blackbury Honey Farm.
Hi! I am Clare and I live in glorious East Devon with my family.
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