Sketch map of Lustleigh Cleave

Lustleigh Cleave has never been cultivated due to its wooded and rocky landscape. Over the centuries it has been used as rough grazing for cattle, sheep and ponies and for gathering raw materials such as wood, peat and turf. The Cleave also has a number of interesting and often mysterious features. More information of these features can be found by following the links provided. Ownership of Lustleigh Cleave can be traced back to when William the Conqueror granted the Manor of Lustleigh to Ansgar. The lord of the manor then granted ownership of certain sections of the Cleave to his tenants, this was known as "common rights".