Harptree Combe

Infobox SSSI


name=Harptree Combe
aos=Avon
interest=Biological
gridref=gbmappingsmall|ST561558
area=13.1 hectares (32.3 acres)
notifydate=1954

http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk/map.aspx?
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Harptree Combe (gbmapping|ST561558) is a 13.071 hectare (32.29 acre) Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) near East Harptree 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 aqueducts and is overlooked by the site of a castle dating from around 1100.

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. [cite web | title=Mrs. Appleyard's moss | work=ARKive | url=http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/plants_and_algae/Brachythecium_appleyardiae/more_info.html | accessdate=2006-07-12]

Grassy clearings within the combe are the only site in Avon where the nationally scarce Spreading Bellflower "Campanula patula" is found. The species was first found here in 1829 [* Myles, Sarah L. (ed.) (2000) "The Flora of the Bristol Region" Pisces Publications] .

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 Herb Paris, ("Paris quadrifolia"), indicative of such undisturbed habitats. Several other uncommon or local plants, such as Small Teasel, ("Dipsacus pilosus") and Autumn Crocus, ("Colchicum autumnale"), also occur. The limestone rock exposures and aqueduct walls are location for many species of moss and fern, some of which, eg Rusty Beard-moss ("Didymodon ferrugineus" previously known as "Barbula reflexa"), Brown Beard-moss ("Didymodon spadiceus" previously known as "Barbula spadicea") and Brittle Bladder-fern ("Cystopteris fragilis"), are rare in Southern England. [cite web | title=Harptree Combe | work=English Nature | url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1002713.pdf | accessdate=2006-07-10]

Aqueduct

An aqueduct for Bristol water supply follows the line of the combe. It was completed in 1851, with John Simpson acting as the chief engineer, and it is still in use today. It consists of a wrought iron tube, which runs underground for 18km, 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. [cite web | title=Aqueduct in Harptree Combe | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=32850 | accessdate=2007-05-20]

Richmont Castle

The scanty ruins, of Richmont Castle are about just above the combe. The castle was besieged in 1138 when King Stephen captured it from Sir William de Harptree a supporter of Queen Matilda's cause in the civil war between the king and queen. The castle was also visited by King John in 1205. [cite book |last=Dunning |first=Robert |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=A History of Somerset |year=1983 |publisher=Phillimore & Co |location=Chichester |id=ISBN 0-85033-461-6 ] The castle was demolished by its owner, Sir John Newton, in the reign of Henry VIII.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." [gutenberg|no=12287|name=Somerset by Wade, G.W. & Wade, J.H.] Some earthworks are still visible but partially covered by the undergrowth.

References