A new nature trail has been made.....
In April 2004 at Parsonage we opened a new Permitted Footpath to the public as a more scenic alternative to the Two Moors Way where it passes through the farm. The route of the path passes though a new nature reserve and allows access to views of the Barle Valley which are denied to users of the official path. It also provides an easy way to see some of the habitats that are being encouraged on the reserve without causing much disturbance to them.
The area of the site is some eight acres. It was of marginal value as rough grazing. It is of outstanding value as a wildlife habitat. We, as farmers, are often criticised for not being good custodians of the environment; this has been an ideal opportunity to set that record straight, at least on Parsonage Farm. Wildlife need sanctuaries, this will be one. With increasing urbanisation, visitors are all too often ignorant of the needs of the natural environment. This project will try to give information and example to inform visitors of those needs.
The sunken track up to the farm is not the most pleasant of walks, the views on the other side of the hedge are memorable. Why not share them? The total route is about one quarter of a mile and most of it was already usable by walkers, only requiring shrub clearance. There are two sections, however, that required surface work to be done to make the path suitable for all walkers. One section is over soft ground where a stream crosses the path which needed a length of boardwalk. The other section was a steep climb where the path surface needed to be stepped.
This is not to be just another footpath but by the essence of its route it is also a nature trail with, it is planned, interpretational material available for those who use it.
The red line is an approximate demarkation of the reserve boundary. Orientation of the photograph is conventional with north at the top. The land rises steeply from the south, the farm buildings being some three hundred feet above the extreme SE corner of the picture, with associated outstanding views down the valley to the SE as far as Three Waters on the Barle. The southern boundary is defined by an un-named stream which runs into the Barle at Penny Bridge. A further stream runs down the site, rising in springs above the farm buildings and flowing down to join the other one through the wooded centre section.
The Two Moors Way enters the farm via a track through the woodlands to the south and climbs up to the farm buildings as shown in yellow. The track to the farm is hedged on both sides and apart from spring flowers there is little of interest to be seen. The views down the valley are screened by the high hedges.
The New Path
The path leaves the Two Moors Way at 'A' and enters the reserve through the existing farm gate and uses an existing terrace as far as 'E'. A low post and wire fence between 'B' and 'C' encourages users of the path not to stray towards the stream below. This southern boundary zone of the reserve is part of a SSSI and is ecologically very fragile. General public access to this area is not to be allowed. 'D' is a natural point where people may wish to stop and enjoy the surroundings so seating is provided.
Between 'E' and 'F' the walk is wooded with many small waterfalls. Lichens, ferns, mosses and epiphytes are abundant. Because of the stream coming down the hillside at this point, the going is soft so a boardwalk has made the path passable and safe and prevents soil erosion. A small section of thicket and fallen trees was cleared at the eastern end of section EF to gain access to the open ground at 'F'. A fine flight of cleated steps was set in by the volunteer groups.
The section 'F' to 'G' is a steep climb of about 100 feet with a bench seat at the top for rest and to apreciate the very fine view to the SE. From 'G' to 'H' the path uses existing farm tracks and paths. At 'H' the pathway rejoins the Two Moors Way.
There is no implication in the above that the pathway should not be used in either direction.
