Glen Goyle: description - story

Glen Goyle:

Description

Glen Goyle is a tranquil, lesser-known green space nestled on the western side of Sidmouth. It is a small valley through which a brook flows toward, and into, the sea, though it is largely hidden from the Esplanade due to culverting. The brook eventually emerges onto the beach near the bottom of Glen Road, opposite the Belmont Hotel.

This green space is owned by the East Devon District Council (EDDC). Historically, Glen Goyle was part of Victorian parkland but became overgrown and neglected over time. To address this, the Friends of Glen Goyle (FOGG), a volunteer group, was established. Their dedicated efforts focus on restoring and maintaining the area, which includes clearing invasive species like ivy and brambles, replanting native flora, and enhancing accessibility. FOGG collaborates closely with EDDC's horticultural officers, and their work has been recognised with an "Outstanding" rating in the Royal Horticultural Society’s It’s Your Neighbourhood scheme.

Access

Access to Glen Goyle is available via Manor Road, just past the Royal Glen Hotel, where the public section offers a peaceful retreat with native plants and shaded pathways.

Influences

As a public space the gardens through the glen are tended by the Council. It is a generally shaded environment with various tree species, some introduced, line the valley sides.

Habitat

The shaded nature of the habitat and the flow of fresh water along the brook makes it ideal for fern, moss and lichen species. Some amenity grass areas are present and apart from the stream valley sides the glen is primarily tebded gardens.

Plants

The floral species present are generally either naturalised cultivated species or 'weeds of cultivation' that can find untended corners. The main interest is the variety of ferns, spleenworts, mosses, liverworts and lichens that occur and the cryptogam species form the bulk of the records of interest for the site.

Animals

Various bird species associated with park and gardens like robin, wren and blackbird can be found .