Berry Head National Nature Reserve, Brixham, South Devon
National Nature Reserve in stunning location near Brixham
Berry Head is a headland in the southern section of Tor Bay. It's the site of forts, a country park, an SSSI, the world's first urban Geopark and a National Nature Reserve. It also provides amazing views of The English Riviera to the north west and north and Start Bay to the south and south west.
'Still dominated by fortifications from the French Wars of 1793-1815, the cliff tops are now home to a host of rare and beautiful flowers, with around 500 species recorded. This array of flowers supports 28 species of butterfly and a huge range of other insects. Around 200 species of bird have been recorded on the reserve, of which 50 breed on or near the site. The cliffs provide an ideal site for the largest breeding colony of Guillemots on the south coast of England.' (Information board on site)
Note that Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve is to the north and Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve to the south west. To the west, in Dartmoor National Park, visit the East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths National Nature Reserve. There are numerous Local National Reserves in this part of Devon as well. Try the Salcombe to Kingsbridge Nature Reserve, Dart Valley Nature Reserve and Dunsford Nature Reserve.
Location of Berry Head National Nature Reserve
We've positioned Berry Head National Nature Reserve on Google maps. Zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.
Berry Head SSSI
Berry Head is an SSSI, or Site of Special Scientific Interest, in the southern section of Tor Bay. The SSSI is within The English Riviera Geopark which was the world's first urban Geopark.
The SSSI citation begins: 'This site is important for its extensive area of limestone grassland containing many nationally rare plants and for its important assemblages of lichens. Also, the sea cliffs support the largest Guillemot colony to be found along the south coast of England. In addition, important geological features are to be found at Shoalstone Beach.' (Natural Englands's Berry Head to Sharkam Point SSSI citation)
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