River Sid

The SVA maintains a small section of the River Sid, from the west bank of the river from Gilchrist Field in the north, down to the southern end of Margaret‘s Meadow just before the confluence of the Woolbrook – a length of some 800m. The west bank is almost entirely wooded over this length with many mature deciduous trees, and an informal footpath accessed through three gates from the SVA land.

The River Sid is one of Devon’s smallest and most compact rivers, being only some 10km (6 miles) in length. It rises in Crowpits Covert (OS grid reference SY 138963), on the Ottery St Mary side of the Hare and Hounds, at a height of 190m (620ft) above sea level. The river has a rich biodiversity and serves a predominantly rural catchment before it flows through the village of Sidbury, and then crosses under A3052 at Packhorse Bridge in Sidford. The river is joined by the Roncombe stream in Sidbury, the Snod brook in Sidford and the Woolbrook in Sidmouth before out falling to the sea at The Ham.

Gilchrist Pond Widlife Reserve

The remains exist of an old Victorian pond adjacent to Gilchrist Field. Over the years the original pond had been backfilled with builders rubble, but about 10 years ago the SVA dug it out to a “doughnut” shape. Sadly the pond did not hold any water above the water table level and a gravity connection from the river was not practicable so recently appropriate planting and clearance was undertaken to make use of what water is available. The pond level at best is about a half metre.

In order to maximise the ecological benefits of an established pond at this location, the SVA fenced off the area in 2019 to protect the wildlife. The area is still in the process of changing quite a lot with its transition to becoming a (fenced off) wildlife habitat. Moorhens have nested and kingfisher have been spotted, the pond supports newts, toads dragonfly etc and importantly, the vandalism seems to have ceased!

Fish in the River Sid

The river is home to mostly trout, which in turn attracts otters, dippers and kingfishers, all of which can be observed within the beautiful river margins. Fish require a succession of different habitats in order to survive and reproduce as they progress through the various stages of their life cycles.  Suitable spawning substrates (such as clean, loose gravel for salmon and trout) are essential for successful breeding.  Fortunately the Sid is generally unencumbered by sediments and pollutants and is so capable of hosting good fish populations, with our varying range of habitats. Sadly though some of the larger weirs (particularly near the old Toll House) impede the passage of migratory fish.