The Luppitt Commons

Luppitt has an unusually large area of common land, amounting to 617 acres, spread across four main blocks – Luppitt Common, Hartridge Common, Hense Moor and Dumpdon Hill.  Luppitt, Hartridge and Hense belong to the Luppitt Commons company, following the sale of the freehold to the commoners in 1960.  Dumpdon Hill belongs to The National Trust.

Hense Moor

Hense Moor is a large expanse of marshy pasture, heath and bog, occupying the head of the Luppitt valley and holding the headwaters of the River Love.  The whole moor was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1983, for its unusually large expanse of habitats which have become scarce elsewhere in the Blackdown Hills. 

The moor has a very rich flora, including all three UK species of Sundew (an insectivorous plant whose bristly leaves exude a sticky ‘honeydew’ which traps small flies), and several orchid species including Lesser Butterfly Orchid, Heath Spotted Orchid and Lesser Marsh Orchid.

Over four hundred species of insect have been recorded on Hense Moor, though there are undoubtedly many more to be identified.  Amongst the highlights are rarities including Raft Spider, and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly.

Since they first appeared on the River Otter in 2008, Beavers have taken up residence on Hense Moor and at other points along the River Love in recent years.  There are large Beaver dams within the wet woodland of Hense Moor, which are giving rise to new wildlife-rich habitats, and helping slow the flow of water during storm events.

Hartridge

The flat-topped spur of Hartridge Common dominates the Luppitt skyline.  The level ground on the plateau is used for livestock grazing through the allocation of common rights.  The steep western side of the Common carries a mixture of rough grazing and bracken.  Where bracken has been cleared there is a diverse flora including an abundance of Spotted Orchids.

Dumpdon Hill

Dumpdon Hill is owned by The National Trust.  It is crowned by an Iron Age hillfort, and supports a range of species-rich pasture, heath and woodland habitats.