Rackenford and Knowstone Moors

Rackenford and Knowstone Moors are a wonderful, but wild and windswept, site. They’re also one of the largest remaining areas of Culm grassland. This rare habitat once dominated the landscape of northern Devon. It consists of a mixture of wet grassland, heath, bog and scrub and supports a wide diversity of wildlife. The reserve has a rich flora, including such species as heath spotted orchid, marsh violet, devils bit scabious, bog asphodel and bogbean. The animal life is also abundant. The reserve supports 28 species of butterflies, including the rare marsh fritillary, and a variety of birds including curlew, stonechat and willow warbler and, in winter, woodcock and snipe. Red deer are a common sight.

By car: Approach the reserve from the A361 North Devon Link Road. The reserve can be seen either side of the road approximately 14km from Tiverton and can be accessed from Moortown Cross. There are several parking sites scattered around the site.