Marsland Valley

[2][3] The reserve is a Special Area of Conservation, and it forms part of two Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Steeple Point to Marsland Mouth on the Cornish side and Marsland to Clovelly Coast in Devon.

[4][5] The valley is situated near the villages of Gooseham and Morwenstow, approximately ten miles north of the Cornish Atlantic Coast resort of Bude.

[6] The land was donated by the late Christopher Cadbury (former President of the Royal Society for Nature Conservation 1962-1986) to the county Trusts.

[7] On the south-facing wooded slope towards Gooseham Mill the trees are coppiced to create clearings, and vegetation is thinned to keep it low so that flowers and insects can flourish.

It also includes part of the Hartland section of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).