What to See

Green Woodpecker

Bluebell

Stinking Iris

Teasel

In spring the ground is carpeted with bluebells and other woodland flowers including dog’s mercury, stinking iris, wood anemone and primrose.

Spiky small teasel can be seen in a small clearing in Beer Wood and the seeds are an important winter food for some birds.

A diverse range of fungi grows in the woods including the unusual looking collared earthstar which is scarce in the UK.

At dusk you may see badgers emerging from their setts and threatened dormice seek refuge in the woodland. You may also see roe deer and muntjac.

Listen for the distinctive sound of green and greater spotted woodpeckers that breed in the woodland.

Keep your eyes peeled for pied flycatcher and marsh tit and in winter woodcock. Buzzard and sparrowhawk are likely to nest in the wood and hobby may be seen.

The woodland is home to butterflies including silver-washed fritillary and the uncommon white admiral along with the nationally scarce ruddy carpet moth.

About

The nature reserve forms part of Aller and Beer Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

It consists of large blocks of semi-natural ancient woodland along the west-facing slope of Aller Hill, overlooking King’s Sedgemoor. The woodland canopy is dominated by ash and English oak.

The reserve adjoins Turn Hill, which is owned jointly by the J&F Clark Trust and the National Trust.

99 acres (40 ha.)

Location & Access

Access

Open access at ST 413 315, or footpath from Aller village. There are a number of permissive paths via the National Trust land at Turn Hill. Limited parking at the top of Turn Hill.

ST 405 306 (centre Aller Wood) ST 414 317 (centre Beer Wood)

Opening

Open access, all year round.

How to get there:

By road:

From the A372, Othery to Langport road, take the turning signposted Beer High Ham and continue along narrow lanes. At a fork in the road, go right, proceeding up the steep hill. The parking area can be found at the top.

By bicycle:

The National Cycle Network passes through Langport, three miles south-east of the reserve.

Events Nearby

Click the following link for a full list of Somerset wildlife events