Hawkcombe Woods is a national nature reserve near Porlock on Exmoor, Somerset, England.[1]

The western end of Hawkcombe Woods

The 101 hectares (250 acres) woodlands are notable for their lichens, heath fritillary butterfly, red wood ant colonies, dead wood invertebrates and ancient pollards.[2]

They are part of the North Exmoor Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Hawkcombe head

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Hawkcombe head is a Mesolithic flint working site. [3] Radiocarbon dating of flint tools and charcoal shows the site was occupied between 6390 and 6210 BC.[4] The possible site of a building with hearths has been identified through archaeological excavation.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Hawkcombe Woods NNR". Natural England. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  2. ^ "Proposed National Nature Reserves at Hawkcombe and Tarr Steps" (PDF). Exmoor National Park. 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  3. ^ "MSO7889 - Hawkcombe Head and Ven Combe Mesolithic flint working sites (Monument)". Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  4. ^ Gardiner, Paula. "Crossing the Water: Hunter-Gatherers in a changing World". Weston-super-Mare Archaeological and Natural History Society. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Historical Environment Review 2003" (PDF). Exmoor National Park. Retrieved 5 December 2018.

51°12′06″N 3°35′36″W / 51.20167°N 3.59333°W / 51.20167; -3.59333