Matchstick Meadow, Holsworthy, Devon

Matchstick Meadow is comprised of both a section of open tree planting land and a belt of woodland at the northern edge, offering something special to those who are interested in creating new woodland whilst also having an established habitat in place. For those who may favour a process of natural regeneration, the standing woodland would serve as an excellent seed source driving the organic population of the meadowland with young trees. This could be pursued in combination with active tree planting.

The land can be found in Devon’s Ruby Country, near the Cornwall border, a locality defined by the rolling hills surrounding Holsworthy and Hatherleigh. The meadow enjoys an elevated position at its southern boundary affording wonderful views over the top of the woodland shaw to the countryside beyond. The meadow gently drops away from the southern edge towards the belt of woodland, with post and rail fencing demarcating the eastern and western boundaries.

The woodland shaw, through which runs a low-lying stream at the northern edge, is a vibrant habitat which supports a range of local wildlife. The woodland links up with other larger sections of woodland providing an important corridor through which woodland mammals, such as badgers and deer, can traverse.

The meadow has in recent years been cut for hay and silage and is in excellent condition. The volume of nearby established woodland is demonstrative of the suitability of the land for woodland creation either for conservation, amenity or environmental reasons. There is certainly scope for a carbon offsetting scheme on the land. The meadow itself is accessed via a stoned track from an unnamed public highway, which terminates in a generous area of hardstanding at the entrance where vehicles can be parked. This track ensures year round vehicular access to the meadow.

In terms of finding the meadow, at the top of Bendibus Hill there is a crossroads (Bendibus Cross) on the corner of which is a “Planting Land” sign, at which point you turn left (due west) for roughly 400m. The entrance to the meadow will be on your right hand side via a metal gate. Park here and carefully climb the gate, following the tracks as marked on the ‘wood maps’. The track will follow the hedgerow before turning 90o to the left, follow to the end where it will pass through a hedgerow into a second field. Matchstick Meadow is immediately on the right hand side and the boundary features are marked with red paint.