What to See

Bluebell

Dog's Mercury

Hazel

Wood Anemone

 
At the ancient iron age hill fort of King’s Castle Wood nature reserve look out for early summer woodland butterflies like the orange tip, brimstone and speckled wood attracted by the rich variety of woodland flowers.

Beneath the trees the ground is rich in wild flowers with large swathes of bluebells and dog’s mercury. Uncommon flora and fauna flourish here including solomons seal, spurge laurel, wood goldilocks, herb paris, meadow saffron, toothwort and common gromwell.

The King's Castle reserve is home to important nesting birds including marsh tit and wood warbler.

You can often see roe deer and there are badger setts in the woodland.

29 acres (11.7 ha)

About

This nature reserve is an ancient semi-natural woodland, made up primarily of ash, hazel and field maple, with planted oak and a fine stand of small-leaved lime.

The main area of woodland at King's Castle on a flat-topped part of the outlying Mendip Hills, where an Iron Age fort once stood. It is one of around 47 hill forts in Somerset.

Location & Access

By car

The reserve is just a mile south-east of the centre of the City of Wells in Somerset, but not easily accessible by car.

By foot

The main route to the woodland is south from the centre of Wells on the B3139 ­ turn right after half a mile. There is open access at ST 565 456 - walk along the track to the east.

Opening

Open access to the public, all year round.

Please do take care when visiting King's Castle Wood nature reserve - here are some things to be aware of.

Grid Reference: ST 568 456
 

Events Nearby

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