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List of local nature reserves in Somerset facts for kids

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The ceremonial county of Somerset consists of a non-metropolitan county, administered by Somerset County Council, which is divided into five districts, and two unitary authorities. The districts of Somerset are West Somerset, South Somerset, Taunton Deane, Mendip and Sedgemoor. The two administratively independent unitary authorities, which were established on 1 April 1996 following the breakup of the County of Avon, are North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset. These unitary authorities include areas that were once part of Somerset before the creation of Avon in 1974.

Local nature reserves (LNRs) are designated by local authorities under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. The local authority must have a legal control over the site, by owning or leasing it or having an agreement with the owner. LNRs are sites which have a special local interest either biologically or geologically, and local authorities have a duty to care for them. They can apply local bye-laws to manage and protect LNRs.

There are 40 local nature reserves in Somerset recognised by Natural England. The smallest is Wellington Basins, which covers 0.53 hectares (1.3 acres) of small ponds and surrounding grassland and woodland. This provides a habitat for grey wagtail, dipper and reed bunting. The largest, covering 129.56 hectares (320.1 acres), is Weston Woods on Worlebury Hill, which includes Worlebury Camp Iron Age hill fort. The woodland provides a habitat for mammals including deer, badgers, foxes and bats. Birds include woodpeckers, buzzards and treecreepers. Several of the sites are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The list includes sites owned or managed by both Avon Wildlife Trust and Somerset Wildlife Trust.

Sites

Site Photograph Area Location Map Details Description
Ash Priors Common Ash Priors, Ash Common - geograph.org.uk - 50064.jpg 20.78 hectares (51.3 acres) Ash Priors
51°03′10″N 3°12′38″W / 51.0527°N 3.2105°W / 51.0527; -3.2105 (Ash Priors Common)
ST152288
Map Details This reserve covers unimproved neutral grassland, semi-natural deciduous woodland, wet heath, scrub, carr, stream, ponds and hedgerows. The plants to be found at the site include early marsh-orchid and twayblade orchid while the animals include the eurasian harvest mouse, viviparous lizard and tree pipit. It was the first and is the largest local nature reserve run by Taunton Deane Borough Council.
Berrow Dunes Berrow Beach and dunes (geograph 2675528).jpg 16.7 hectares (41 acres) Berrow
51°16′39″N 3°00′57″W / 51.2776°N 3.0157°W / 51.2776; -3.0157 (Berrow Dunes)
ST292536
Map Details The dunes, west of the village of Berrow, have a golf course, and is a noted site for various unusual plants, including a strong colony of lizard orchids. A 200 hectares (490 acres) area, which includes the reserve, was designated in 1952 as a SSSI. Berrow Marsh, contained within the dunes between the village and the beach, is a mixture of reedbed and salt marsh. Birds found here include many wetland species such as reed and sedge warbler and in winter occasional jack snipe among large numbers of common snipe.
Bickenhall Orchard
 –
0.6 hectares (1.5 acres) Bickenhall
50°57′37″N 3°00′16″W / 50.9603°N 3.0045°W / 50.9603; -3.0045 (Bickenhall Orchard)
ST295183
Map Details Apple trees with mistletoe in a grass orchard with herbs and orchids.
Bincombe Beeches Crewkerne , Bincombe Beeches Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 1185870.jpg 5.36 hectares (13.2 acres) Crewkerne
50°53′14″N 2°47′33″W / 50.8872°N 2.7925°W / 50.8872; -2.7925 (Bincombe Beeches)
ST443100
Map Details The site has beech trees up to 200 years old, oaks and hazels. Birds include blackbirds, woodpeckers, goldcrests and jackdaws, and there are small mammals such as badgers and foxes.
Bucklands Pool/Backwell Lake Backwell lake 1.jpg 5.52 hectares (13.6 acres) Backwell
51°25′18″N 2°45′10″W / 51.4216°N 2.7528°W / 51.4216; -2.7528 (Bucklands Pool/Backwell Lake)
ST477694
Map Details The lake, which is also known as Buckland's Pool is next to the road between Nailsea and Backwell at Buckland's Batch. The lake was built as a balancing pond in the mid-1970s. It has now become a wildlife haven for birds, bats and dragonflies, which are attracted by the open water and surrounding vegetation. Bird species include gadwall, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, grey heron and mute swans.
Cadbury Hill/Henley Quarry View from Cadbury Hill.jpg 20.84 hectares (51.5 acres) Yatton
51°22′54″N 2°48′14″W / 51.3817°N 2.8039°W / 51.3817; -2.8039 (Cadbury Hill/Henley Quarry)
ST441650
Map Details This site comprises ancient semi-natural woodland, scrub and unimproved grassland. Species of interest include marsh tit, noctule bat, slow worm, wood anemone, bluebell, betony, small scabious, rock rose and small leaved lime. On the northern limestone slope grow hundreds of common spotted orchids. The Iron Age hill fort has many ant hills, which are visited by green woodpeckers. The grassy plateau of the hill fort is owned and managed by Yatton and Congresbury Parish Councils.
Camerton Batch Bridge Place Road near Camerton - geograph.org.uk - 1633096.jpg 2.02 hectares (5.0 acres) Camerton
51°19′11″N 2°27′25″W / 51.3198°N 2.4570°W / 51.3198; -2.4570 (Camerton Batch)
ST682579
Map Details The spoil heap or batch is a result of coal mining on the Somerset Coalfield in the 19th century. Camerton New Pit survived to be nationalised, eventually closing in 1950. In the centre of the village is Camerton Batch which is now covered with conifer. It is important for geology.
Carrs Woodland Carr's Wood, Twerton - geograph.org.uk - 1309239.jpg 21.1 hectares (52 acres) Twerton
51°23′05″N 2°24′26″W / 51.3847°N 2.4073°W / 51.3847; -2.4073 (Carrs Woodland)
ST717651
Map Detail A woodland area in the valley of Newton Brook. Plants include the bath asparagus.
Chard Reservoir Chard Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 245020.jpg 37.05 hectares (91.6 acres) Chard
50°53′04″N 2°56′34″W / 50.8844°N 2.9428°W / 50.8844; -2.9428 (Chard Reservoir)
ST338098
Map Detail A 36.97-hectare (91.4-acre) reservoir which is owned and managed by South Somerset District Council. It is a recipient of the Green Flag Award. The reservoir was built on the river Isle in 1842 to provide water for the Chard Canal which closed in 1868. The site is used for dog walking, fishing and birdwatching, with a bird hide having been installed. Birds which are spotted regularly include herons, egrets, kingfishers, cormorants, grebes, gulls, ducks and also a wide range of woodland birds including nuthatch, treecreeper and woodpeckers. Rarities have included ring-necked duck, great white egret, cattle egret and yellow-browed warbler. The water is stocked with carp.
Cheddar Valley Railway Walk ShuteShelveTunnel-North.jpg 28.6 hectares (71 acres) Yatton to Winscombe
51°20′44″N 2°50′00″W / 51.3456°N 2.8334°W / 51.3456; -2.8334 (Cheddar Valley Railway Walk)
ST420610
Map Detail Following the route of the Cheddar Valley Line, this linear reserve passes through the Biddle Street SSSI. The site supports birds, bats, amphibians and reptiles.
Children's Wood/Riverside Taunton - River Tone (geograph 2589151).jpg 19.53 hectares (48.3 acres) Taunton
51°01′31″N 3°04′48″W / 51.0252°N 3.0800°W / 51.0252; -3.0800 (Children's Wood/Riverside)
ST243256
Map Detail Alongside the River Tone, this reserve provides a habitat corridor for animals. Birds recorded include the kingfisher and grey wagtail. The site is also important for butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.
Church and Wains Hill (Poets Walk) Poets Walk, Clevedon (geograph 2385875).jpg 8.95 hectares (22.1 acres) Clevedon
51°25′57″N 2°52′21″W / 51.4325°N 2.8724°W / 51.4325; -2.8724 (Church and Wains Hill (Poets Walk))
ST394707
Map Detail This reserve includes a hill fort dating from the Iron Age on Wain's Hill and Church Hill. It has calcareous grassland, coastal scrub and woodland.
Eastfield, Sedgemoor Hill Eastfield Local Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 231077.jpg 7.42 hectares (18.3 acres) High Ham
51°04′17″N 2°48′15″W / 51.0715°N 2.8042°W / 51.0715; -2.8042 (Eastfield, Sedgemoor Hill)
ST437305
Map Detail Grassland with orchids and butterflies.
Eastwood and Battery Point Broad Walk (geograph 1783598).jpg 11.68 hectares (28.9 acres) Portishead
51°29′40″N 2°46′01″W / 51.4944°N 2.7670°W / 51.4944; -2.7670 (Eastwood and Battery Point)
ST468775
Map Detail The Eastwood area is broadleaf woodland on a coastal limestone ridge which leads to Battery Point which had a defensive gun position and Portishead Point Lighthouse is on the promontory. There is also geological interest in the fossils, folds and faults found in the area.
Felton Common North Somerset - Felton Common (geograph 3513772).jpg 40.37 hectares (99.8 acres) Winford
51°23′00″N 2°41′41″W / 51.3833°N 2.6947°W / 51.3833; -2.6947 (Felton Common)
ST517651
Map Detail Open calcareous grassland with scrub and bracken. There are birds including kestrel, sky lark, song thrush, willow warbler, spotted flycatcher and several species of invertebrates.
Folly Farm Old chestnut at Folly Farm - geograph.org.uk - 6811.jpg 98.49 hectares (243.4 acres) Stowey
51°20′34″N 2°33′54″W / 51.3427°N 2.5649°W / 51.3427; -2.5649 (Folly Farm)
ST607605
Map Detail Folly Farm is a traditionally managed visitable farm and nature reserve run by the Avon Wildlife Trust. The farmhouse is 17th century and the surrounding land includes neutral grassland, flowery meadows and woodlands. The 250 acres (100 ha) nature reserve includes the Folly Oak which is over 400 years old.
Frieze Hill Community Orchard Channel to Channel (355) (geograph 4466944).jpg 1.39 hectares (3.4 acres) Taunton
51°01′26″N 3°07′17″W / 51.0239°N 3.1214°W / 51.0239; -3.1214 (Frieze Hill Community Orchard)
ST214255
Map Detail This site has been converted from allotments to rough grassland and an orchard. The kingston black and yarlington mill varieties of apples are among those grown.
Gadds Valley Cattle, near Gadds Bottom (geograph 3515291).jpg 3.69 hectares (9.1 acres) Cheddon Fitzpaine
51°03′23″N 3°05′47″W / 51.0565°N 3.0965°W / 51.0565; -3.0965 (Gadds Valley)
ST232291
Map Detail Open grassland and woodland.
Hurstone Farm Woodlands Bathealton, Hurstone Local Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 63387.jpg 9.78 hectares (24.2 acres) Waterrow
51°00′55″N 3°21′03″W / 51.0152°N 3.3507°W / 51.0152; -3.3507 (Hurstone Farm Woodlands)
ST053248
Map Detail Woodland on the banks of the River Tone. The woodland, hedgerows and open grassland provide a habitat for dormice, otter and several bat species. Bryophyte species include black spleenwort.
Kensington Meadows Kensington Meadows - geograph.org.uk - 210660.jpg 2.12 hectares (5.2 acres) Bath
51°23′32″N 2°20′39″W / 51.3921°N 2.3442°W / 51.3921; -2.3442 (Kensington Meadows)
ST761659
Map Detail Mixed woodland and open meadow next to the River Avon.
Manor Road Community Woodland North of east from Manor Road - geograph.org.uk - 1267555.jpg 20.93 hectares (51.7 acres) Keynsham
51°24′15″N 2°28′51″W / 51.4042°N 2.4808°W / 51.4042; -2.4808 (Manor Road Community Woodland)
ST666673
Map Detail Woodland and grassland that supports a range of bird species.
Middle Hill Common South across grid square - geograph.org.uk - 139836.jpg 1.49 hectares (3.7 acres) Weston in Gordano
51°28′02″N 2°47′54″W / 51.4672°N 2.7982°W / 51.4672; -2.7982 (Middle Hill Common)
ST446745
Map Detail Grassland and wild flower meadow, which supports invertebrates and butterflies.
Moldrums Ground Moldrams Ground nature reserve, Pen Selwood - geograph.org.uk - 1616361.jpg 2.55 hectares (6.3 acres) Penselwood
51°05′04″N 2°21′22″W / 51.0845°N 2.3562°W / 51.0845; -2.3562 (Moldrums Ground)
ST751317
Map Detail The site includes a dry woodland surrounding unimproved grassland. Ponds on the site provide a habitat for northern crested newt.
Netherclay Community Woodland Gate, Netherclay Community Woodland (geograph 1939641).jpg 3.91 hectares (9.7 acres) Bishop's Hull
51°01′13″N 3°08′03″W / 51.0202°N 3.1341°W / 51.0202; -3.1341 (Netherclay Community Woodland)
ST205251
Map Detail A woodland with oak, ash, black poplar, dogwood and hazel.
Norton Hillfort Footpaths on Norton Hillfort - geograph.org.uk - 1407564.jpg 2.04 hectares (5.0 acres) Norton Fitzwarren
51°01′51″N 3°08′50″W / 51.0308°N 3.1472°W / 51.0308; -3.1472 (Norton Hillfort)
ST196263
Map Detail The site surrounds the Iron Age hill fort of Norton Camp. It consists of woodland of oak, ash, and sycamore trees with an underlying flora of bluebell, wood anemone and moschatel.
Otterhead Lakes Otterford Lakes Nature Reserve.jpg 21.53 hectares (53.2 acres) Otterford
50°55′02″N 3°06′11″W / 50.9171°N 3.1031°W / 50.9171; -3.1031 (Otterhead Lakes)
ST225136
Map Detail A pair of reservoirs fed by the River Otter and managed by the Otterhead Estate Trust Company Limited, working with the Somerset Wildlife Trust on behalf of Wessex Water. The lakes are the centrepiece of the one mile long nature reserve. It includes dry woodland which has a ground flora including common bluebell, dogs mercury and twayblade. More moist areas are home to marsh penywart, royal fern rhododendron and sycamore. There are dormice, badgers and bats in the woods and bird species include kingfisher, dipper and wagtail.
Screech Owl Flooded field, Screech Owl Farm (geograph 3812031).jpg 11.7 hectares (29 acres) Huntworth
51°06′42″N 2°58′40″W / 51.1116°N 2.9778°W / 51.1116; -2.9778 (Screech Owl)
ST316351
Map Detail A wetland area which supports a variety of birds, bats and small mammals.
Silk Mills Park and Ride Silk Mills LNR, Taunton.JPG 7.08 hectares (17.5 acres) Taunton
51°01′23″N 3°07′37″W / 51.0230°N 3.1270°W / 51.0230; -3.1270 (Silk Mills Park and Ride)
ST210254
Map Detail Landscaping and ponds in three areas next to the River Tone created when the park and ride was created. The woodland and grassland supports aquatic and marginal vegetation. There are also a variety of birds, bats, reptiles and invertebrates.
Silver Street Silver Street Nature Reserve.JPG 2.12 hectares (5.2 acres) Midsomer Norton
51°16′52″N 2°29′07″W / 51.2810°N 2.4853°W / 51.2810; -2.4853 (Silver Street)
ST662536
Map Detail An ancient woodland, next to Midsomer Norton railway station, including ash, beech, field maple, hazel, hawthorn, oak, holly, sycamore and wild cherry. There is also a pond and some adjacent grassland.
Slader's Leigh Summer in Sladers Leigh LNR (geograph 4384979).jpg 0.66 hectares (1.6 acres) Winscombe
51°18′09″N 2°49′52″W / 51.3024°N 2.8312°W / 51.3024; -2.8312 (Slader's Leigh)
ST421562
Map Detail A wildflower meadow with plants including devil's-bit scabious, cowslip, betony, common spotted orchid and tormentil which provide a habitat for a range of butterflies.
South Taunton Streams (Mill, Galmington, Blackbrook 1&2) Sump in the Blackbrook Stream (geograph 4151604).jpg 8.24 hectares (20.4 acres) Taunton
51°00′52″N 3°04′27″W / 51.0145°N 3.0741°W / 51.0145; -3.0741 (South Taunton Streams (Mill, Galmington, Blackbrook 1&2))
ST247244
Map Detail Four sites providing a range of flora which support water voles, otters, kingfisher, sand martin, dippers and bats.
St George's Flower Bank
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1.48 hectares (3.7 acres) Easton in Gordano
51°09′03″N 2°42′12″W / 51.1509°N 2.7033°W / 51.1509; -2.7033 (St George's Flower Bank)
ST512752
Map Detail Flower meadow alongside a main road.
Street Heath The Glastonbury Canal (geograph 2438616).jpg 8.18 hectares (20.2 acres) Glastonbury
51°28′27″N 2°46′06″W / 51.4741°N 2.7684°W / 51.4741; -2.7684 (Street Heath)
ST463393
Map Detail The heath is a biological SSSI. The nature reserve is managed by Somerset Wildlife Trust, with examples of plant communities that were once common on the Somerset Levels. It possesses a vegetation consisting of wet and dry heath, species-rich bog and carr woodland, with transitions between all these habitats. Rare ferns present include marsh fern and royal fern. Old peat workings and rhynes have a wetland community which includes bulrush, yellow flag iris, cyperus-like sedge and lesser bur-reed. Insects recorded include 33 species of butterflies, 200 moths and 12 grasshoppers and crickets, with several notable rarities. Birds breeding in the carr woodland include the local willow tit.
Swains
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0.67 hectares (1.7 acres) Wellington
50°58′15″N 3°13′57″W / 50.9707°N 3.2326°W / 50.9707; -3.2326 (Swains)
ST135197
Map Detail A meadow with cuckoo flower, meadowsweet, and dove's-foot crane's-bill. There is also a pond which provides a habitat for amphibians including great crested newt, palmate newt and toad.
Twerton Roundhill Twerton Roundhill in Bath (geograph 1967301).jpg 4.66 hectares (11.5 acres) Twerton
51°22′07″N 2°23′50″W / 51.3685°N 2.3971°W / 51.3685; -2.3971 (Twerton Roundhill)
ST724633
Map Detail Grassland with a range of wildflowers including greater knapweed and agrimony.
Uphill Hill Uphill.jpg 17 hectares (42 acres) Uphill
51°19′03″N 2°58′56″W / 51.3174°N 2.9821°W / 51.3174; -2.9821 (Uphill Hill)
ST316580
Map Detail Open grassland around a disused quarry. There are a range of flowers including cowslip, primrose and green-winged orchid. This site is adjacent to Walborough Common and together they cover 38.14 hectares (94.2 acres), which is partly coterminous with Uphill Cliff SSSI.
Walborough Common View - geograph.org.uk - 357358.jpg 21 hectares (52 acres) Uphill
51°19′03″N 2°58′56″W / 51.3174°N 2.9821°W / 51.3174; -2.9821 (Walborough)
ST316580
Map Detail Salt marsh with sea barley, slender hare's-ear and sea clover and limestone grassland with Somerset hair-grass, honewort, green-winged and early purple orchids. These attract redshank, dunlin, shelduck, black-tailed godwit, skylark, linnet, rock and meadow pipit. This site is adjacent to Uphill Hill and together they cover 38.14 hectares (94.2 acres), which is partly coterminous with Uphill Cliff SSSI.
Weirfield Riverside Taunton - The River Tone (geograph 3587293).jpg 0.88 hectares (2.2 acres) Taunton
51°01′13″N 3°06′56″W / 51.0204°N 3.1156°W / 51.0204; -3.1156 (Weirfield Riverside)
ST218251
Map Detail A linear nature reserve along the bank of the River Tone providing alder and willow woodland, bramble, scrub and rough grassland. The wetter areas which are sometimes flooded include hemlock water dropwort, and yellow flag.
Wellington Basins The Basins beside the River Tone at Wellington (geograph 3651067).jpg 0.53 hectares (1.3 acres) Wellington
50°58′47″N 3°14′24″W / 50.9796°N 3.2399°W / 50.9796; -3.2399 (Wellington Basins)
ST130207
Map Detail Small ponds and surrounding grassland and woodland which provide a habitat for grey wagtail, dipper and reed bunting.
Weston Woods Highest point on Worlebury Hill (geograph 4100778).jpg 129.56 hectares (320.1 acres) Weston-super-Mare
51°21′35″N 2°58′18″W / 51.3598°N 2.9716°W / 51.3598; -2.9716 (Weston Woods)
ST324627
Map Detail A wooded area on Worlebury Hill which includes Worlebury Camp Iron Age hill fort. The woodland provides a habitat for mammals including deer, badgers, foxes and bats. Birds include woodpeckers, buzzards and treecreepers.

See also

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List of local nature reserves in Somerset Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.