Guided Walks

Now in its ninth year, the British Wildlife Photography Awards highlights the great diversity and wealth of the country’s wildlife. The exhibition showcases the great diversity and wealth of the country’s wildlife and raises awareness of our natural habitats and including here in Somerset.We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Red Brick Building to bring this fantastic exhibition to Somerset again. There will be an events programme related to the exhibition, including a wildlife photography walk on 22nd August. 

Event fully booked, sorry for any disapointment - a second event is now available on Thursday 23rd. Discover mystic mounds, mini-beasts and late flowers in Somerset’s summer felds on this photography walk. Inspired by the award-winning photographs on display at the Red Brick Building, join wildlife photographers Victoria Hillman and Les Cloutman exploring and photographing the wildlife nearby. Walking through flower-filled water meadows and other habitats, you are likely to come across late butterflies and dragonflies, grasshoppers and spiders you will be able to try out your skills as a wildlife photographer and learn from two experts.

Discover mystic mounds, mini-beasts and late flowers in Somerset’s summer felds on this photography walk. Inspired by the award-winning photographs on display at the Red Brick Building, join wildlife photographers Victoria Hillman and Les Cloutman exploring and photographing the wildlife nearby. Walking through flower-filled water meadows and other habitats, you are likely to come across late butterflies and dragonflies, grasshoppers and spiders you will be able to try out your skills as a wildlife photographer and learn from two experts.

Come and join us for a short introductory course to mindfulness in Longrun Meadow. We will be doing gentle mindful movement and mindfulness practices aimed at helping us to be present in the moment and to connect with nature. You can sign up for all four of the remaining sessions, or do however many you like. 

Join the Somerset Mammals Group's fascinating talk, hosted by ecologist and photographer Colin Varndell, and hear all about the natural history of hedgehogs, the causes of their decline and what you can do to help. You can also find out how to get involved with the Somerset Mammal Group's hedgehog survey.

Alan Wells of Pitcombe Rock Falconcry will talk about the different birds of prey; and their work rescuing birds, and educating people about raptors.

A visit to explore Somerset’s Brilliant Coast and look a the wildlife that is exposed at one of the lowest tides of the year. We shall be accompanied by Rebecca MacDonald on our journey to the low tide line.

Since Beavers were frst discovered to be living wild in Devon, much work has been conducted to evaluate their impact on the countryside, both to the environment and co-habiting species. Devon Wildlife Trust explains all.

Join us for an evening walk around Vallis Vale SSSI to listen and look out for bats, including rare Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats. Led by Adel Avery from the Somerset Bats Group. 

Drought poses a signifcant threat to the environment, agriculture and our water supplies. It could affect us all in various ways. Sarah Ayling will describe her work on the DRY project, which has concentrated on grassland ecology and the way that it responds to drought.

Take in a lively stretch of the River Tone, a wildlife mural and the Mill Stream on this enjoyable wildlife walk around Taunton. There will be regular stops along the way to see what wildlife we can see along the River Tone and the walk is fully accessible. Sturdy footwear is recommended. Distance: 2km.

A wonderful talk by Rob Williams who has spent a decade working for the conservation of the Manu National park. Located in the western Amazon and together with neighbouring areas it forms part of the largest contiguous wilderness remaining on Earth and is home to over 1000 bird species and 300 mammals.

Dr Charles Hill author of For the Love of Trees will share insight into the complexities of our native Woodlands. This is based on a life-time’s interest. Sales table. Tea & coffee available

Come and join us for a short introductory course to mindfulness in Longrun Meadow. We will be doing gentle mindful movement and mindfulness practices aimed at helping us to be present in the moment and to connect with nature.

Brigit Strawbridge will talk about Bumblebees; their Lifecycles, Behaviour and Importance as Pollinators.

A new exhibition celebrating the best of British Wildlife art, including paintings, prints and photographs. Organised by Somerset Wildlife Trust in partnership with local arts charity and gallery, ACEarts. All artworks are for sale and all proceeds from the exhibition will be shared equally by Somerset Wildlife Trust and ACEarts. Opportunity to vote for the best artwork which will be awarded the ‘People’s Prize’ at the end of the exhibition. There will be an events programme related to the exhibition (details will be available on the website in due course).

Members only Event - a special exhibition opening for Somerset Wildlife Trust members and their guests. Be one the frst to view a new exhibition celebrating the best of British Wildlife art, including paintings, prints and photographs. Organised by Somerset Wildlife Trust in partnership with local arts charity and gallery, ACEarts. All artworks are for sale and all proceeds from the exhibition will be shared equally by Somerset Wildlife Trust and ACEarts. Opportunity to vote for the best artwork which will be awarded the ‘People’s Prize’ at the end of the exhibition.

Stephen Oliver from Dorset Wildlife Trust talks about Dormice and why they hold the fascination of so many people. Habits, habitats and natural history will be laid bare.

The Heart of the Levels Group will conduct a bat walk from the centre of Somerton as part of the Somerset widlife Trust /ACEarts British Wildlife Open Exhibition month.

Get fit whilst helping wildlife by clearing scrub and cherry laurel that is encroaching into rare limestone grassland and woodland. Led by Simon Wiltshire, Biodiversity Advisor for Aggregate Industries. 

Mike Langman will present a fun evening on how to improve our skills in bird-watching & other wildlife. Tips on identifcation, estimating numbers in a flock, remembering bird calls. Very interactive presentation: Pencil & notepad useful. Sales table. Tea & coffee available.

Come and join us for a short introductory course to mindfulness in Longrun Meadow. We will be doing gentle mindful movement and mindfulness practices aimed at helping us to be present in the moment and to connect with nature.

Our own ‘National Treasure’ and well-known local naturalist Les Cloutman will be looking at Somerset’s wildlife and flowers through the seasons, from your own back gardens to the wild places, from hills to levels, lakes, rivers and coast, and why our county is so very special.

This is a member's only event

During the morning’s free AGM CEO Simon Nash, Chair Patricia Stainton and Treasurer John Scotford will tell you all about the work we have completed in the last year across the county, and give you an insight of the year going forwards. You will have the opportunity to ask questions to the CEO and Council. The AGM is free to all members of Somerset Wildlife Trust and we would love for you to join us for the Members’ Day event in the afternoon too - find out more here. Both events are exclusive to our members and are a great opportunity to meet other wildlife supporters and the trustees, staff and volunteers of the Trust.

This is a member's only event

Following our AGM we would like to invite our members to our annual Members' Day event. This year our Members' Day Event will focus on how climate change will impact wildlife in Somerset.

Within the last 10 years several new and exciting species like Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, and Black-crowned Night Heron have arrived and bred in Somerset. The distribution of these species is progressively creeping northwards as our climate gradually changes. Climate change is widely considered to be one of the greatest long-term threats to nature globally, so in what other ways will climate change impact Somerset and its wildlife? What gains and losses may result and what can, or should, we be doing now to prepare for this?