Brian's Peace - Deer Park Farm wildlife amenity area

Tel. 01579 370292 | email: martin@howlettpl17.fsnet.co.uk

Brian's Peace

Brian Howlett farmed here at Deer Park with his family for 37 years.

He was passionate about explaining farming to the public, and about sharing the beauty of the landscape and local environment, which lies within the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

This tranquil corner of the farm was his favourite spot, and has now become a wildlife amenity area for all to explore and enjoy.

You can download a suggested Trail Route around Brian's Peace, together with a Nature Spotting Challenge, as a PDF file - Click here>

The information panel below is displayed at the gateway to Brian's Peace.
Click on a section of text on the panel to see more.

Click here to download a larger PDF version of the display panel above

Brian's Peace - A Timeline

1995 -
the Howlett family created the pond and planted the copses and the magnificent bankside Willow

2005 - 2015 -
The family diversified into “glamping”, welcoming visitors to holidays in North American Sioux-design Tipis on this site

2010 -
The “Apple Way” permissive path was established, linking Kit Hill to the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail

2022 -
As part of a FIPL (Farming in Protected Landscapes) project funded by Defra, this site has now been designated a permanent wildlife amenity area

Habitats

Fed by springs further up the hill, the Ponds fill with water during the wetter months, and gradually dry out during the summer. This provides a range of varied wildlife habitats, particularly important for newts and invertebrates.

Areas of Bracken and Furze (gorse) provide cover for animals and protect birds’ nests.
Gorse is an important food plant for the caterpillars of several species of moth.

Leaving some Field Margins uncultivated - like those on two sides of Brian’s Peace - is an important way of increasing biodiversity and providing wildlife corridors. Here they act as linking routes for the rare Heath Fritillary butterfly (left - wingspan 40-45mm).
Wildflowers encouraged include Common Cow-Wheat, a major food plant for the butterfly’s caterpillars.

The Woodland Copses further
increase biodiversity, broadening the
range of habitats for plants and
animals. Roe Deer are occasionally
seen passing through.

Heritage

Deer Park Farm lies within the Cornwall & West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. New Consols Mine, to the north-east of Brian’s Peace, was the site of mining and processing metal ores including copper, lead, silver, arsenic and tin in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Workers would have used the Sunken Lane track as they walked to and from the mine.

The Butter Well is a small
stone structure located by
a spring and built into the bank,
where dairy products were kept cool.

The Apple Trees planted in early 2022 are a selection of traditional Tamar Valley varieties. The Valley was renowned for its market gardens and orchards. The apple varieties have wonderful names.
Those growing here include: Sack-and-Sugar (also called Early Bower); Colloggat Pippin and Manaccan Primrose (also called the Rattler).

Wildlife to Spot

Red Campion flowers are a food source for insects
including bees, butterflies and hoverflies.
In folklore, it protects fairies from being discovered!

Watch out for beds of
Wild Mint beneath the trees. You may catch its fragrant scent. Bees find mint flowers irresistible, while the leaves
sustain Mint Moth caterpillars.