A magical maze of moor, mire, woodland and streams

Hidden within the depths of Dartmoor lies High House Waste, a landscape that gently defies its name. Far from being a barren expanse, this remarkable site is a rich tapestry of moorland, spring-fed mires, ancient woodland and winding streams, and now it is set to benefit from an ambitious new chapter in its care.
The Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA) has unveiled refreshed ecological land management plans for High House Waste, a site it has protected for more than 60 years. The land was purchased in 1964 to prevent inappropriate afforestation, and since then the charity has been its long-term custodian, safeguarding both its wildlife and its deep-rooted history.
Today, High House Waste is recognised as a valuable mosaic of habitats. Its valley mires, designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), support an array of specialist plants and insects, including delicate lichens, mosses and liverworts, the carnivorous pale butterwort, and the striking blue ground beetle. These wetland systems also play a vital role beyond biodiversity, holding water high on the moor and slowing its movement during periods of heavy rainfall - an increasingly important natural defence against flooding downstream.
In late 2025, the DPA worked closely with ecologist Albert Knott to develop new five-year (and longer-term) management plans for all of its landholdings, including High House Waste. With the plans now complete, practical work is set to begin, delivered by the DPA’s skilled conservation volunteers and in partnership with other local conservation organisations. The association has paid tribute to the dedication of its volunteers, whose work over many years has shaped the site and will continue to do so.
Ongoing management will focus on maintaining the sensitive mire habitats, managing gorse and bracken to support moorland birds and butterflies, and carefully clearing around medieval and Bronze Age archaeological features to preserve their place in the landscape. Firebreaks, access paths, gates and walls will continue to be maintained, alongside ecological monitoring and surveying.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the plans set out a more expansive vision. Central to this is making more space for mires, the defining feature of the site. These spring-fed wetlands will be kept open and, where possible, expanded and linked through controlled grazing and sensitive habitat management, allowing their unique plant communities to thrive.
There is also a renewed focus on creating greater structural variety across the moor. Around the mires lies a complex patchwork of grassland and gorse-dominated heath, which will be managed through cutting and grazing to increase edge habitats and improve access between key archaeological sites. Isolated rocks and naturally occurring moorland trees will be given space to flourish, adding further diversity and shelter for wildlife.
High House Waste also sits within an important upland catchment, between Ford Brook and Broadall Lake. Here, the DPA plans to work with partners including the Dartmoor Headwaters team, Dartmoor National Park Authority and Natural England to develop a catchment-scale Natural Flood Management strategy. Proposed measures include placing fallen trees across watercourses to slow flows and encourage water to spread into mire habitats, alongside planting understory trees such as hazel within woodland areas.
The woodlands themselves - ancient oak-dominated strips threading through small valleys and linking to the neighbouring Dendells Wood National Nature Reserve - are another priority. These woods support rare lichens, bryophytes and invertebrates and rely on careful grazing management to prevent overgrowth. Protecting young trees, encouraging natural regeneration and planting additional understory species will help ensure these woodlands remain healthy and resilient for generations to come.
Founded in 1883, the Dartmoor Preservation Association is the leading independent membership body dedicated to defending Dartmoor’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. As a critical friend to the National Park Authority, the DPA works collaboratively to protect the moor, while also investing in programmes that help children and young people experience Dartmoor first-hand.
At High House Waste, the charity’s renewed vision brings together nature, history and climate resilience - a living, breathing maze of moor, mire, woodland and streams, carefully tended so that its quiet magic endures.