THE National Trust has purchased another 40 acres of land as it seeks to connect more than 35 miles of Exmoor coast between Minehead and Combe Martin, in North Devon.

The trust said it would carefully restore the wood pasture, species-rich grasslands and wetlands on the newly-acquired Challacombe farm land while allowing greater and easier access for the public.

It joins up with the other half of the farm which was bought by the trust in 1991.

The trust said the land could now be more sustainably grazed, and agricultural pollution prevented over time from reaching local beaches by slowing the flow of water and trapping sediment.

National Trust general manager for North Devon Rob Joules said: “This is a vital step forward in our vision for a vibrant corridor for nature along the North Devon coast.

“Nature recovery is at the heart of what we do, but so is connecting people with nature and the outdoors.

“In the future, people will enjoy fantastic, uninterrupted access to some of the UK’s finest coastline, and will be free to explore some its most diverse and ecologically rich habitats.

“Over time we will work closely with our partners and the local community to reconnect more than 35 miles of coastal land between Combe Martin and Minehead, creating habitats that are bigger and in better condition, more joined up, and with more of them.

“Along this coastal corridor we are working to protect endangered species such as the high brown fritillary butterfly, and to reintroduce native mammals and other animals back into the landscape.”

The land will be sustainably grazed by animals such as Exmoor ponies and cattle, and over time the lower impact grazing will create a patchwork of wildflowers, scrub, and trees full of colour and alive with nature.

With less pressure on the grassland and with more scrubby areas, birds such as skylarks, meadow pipits, wrens, and robins should be able to find new homes, along with field mice, voles, and even peregrine falcons.

With more trees and woodland connections, existing speckled wood and red admiral butterflies should also thrive.

The trust said its growing number of dedicated volunteers would help to survey the wildlife, plant trees, and check up on the habitat.

Careful management would also work toward control of run-off, flash floods, and any compacting of the soil.

Taking ownership of the river corridor and floodplain meant the water flow could be slowed, storing water, reducing agricultural pollution in the catchment, and improving water quality.

On a national scale, the trust has plans to create 61,800 acres of new habitat by 2025 and to plant and establish 20 million trees across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland by 2030 for the benefit of wildlife, people, and the climate.