Natural England - Humberhead Peatlands: history

Humberhead Peatlands: history

Humberhead Peatlands represents the largest area of raised bog wilderness in lowland Britain.

Five thousand years ago most of the site had become woodland. The deep layer of peat which now covers the area is a result of the clearance of woodland by prehistoric man and enhanced by climate change leading to the gradual formation of boggy waterlogged conditions about 4,000 years ago.

The medieval peat winning industry was significant. Peat was also removed for animal litter in the 1880s, dug by hand and transported off site to processing works by a narrow gauge railway and by a horse drawn barge system on Thorne Moors. Extraction became mechanised in the 1960s by Fisons for horticultural purposes and latterly by Scotts UK with large efficient milling machines.

In 2001 an agreement between Scotts UK and English Nature ended large-scale peat production and extraction ceased in 2004 within the boundary of the SSSI.

Restoration of the site by English Nature (but with the help from Scott’s experience of the site and their machinery) has included the creation of compartments with peat bunds so that water can be carefully controlled. This encourages the growth of peat-forming bog species, mainly comprising Sphagnum mosses and cottongrasses.