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Taunton priority landscape

Taunton is our county-town and is a town that still retains a rural, easy-going charm, lying in a natural valley between the Quantock, Blackdown and Brendon Hills. The town has retained a diverse array of wildlife despite continued growth, and although habitat connectivity throughout and around the town is quite limited, sites within Taunton still count rarer species like kingfisher, barn owls, dormice, water voles, otters, and bats amongst the wildlife contingent.
Species

Lily-of-the-valley

A beautifully scented plant, the arching stems and bell-shaped flowers of Lily-of-the-valley can be seen in many woodlands. Despite its delicate appearance, this plant is highly toxic.

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Landscapes

Looking at conservation in the landscapes of Somerset and how we manage land to achieve more for wildlife, people and the economy.
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Somerset’s changing landscapes

Somerset Wildlife Trust works to protect and restore wildlife on our nature reserves and in the wider landscape. We do this through developing the counties key landscapes through working with neighbouring landowners and other key Somerset people and organisations.
Species

Wall barley

The distinctive spiky, or 'bearded', green flower heads of wall barley appear from June to July and are easy to spot in an urban environment as they push their way up through pavements…

Nature Reserve

Yarley Fields

Yarley Fields nature reserve lies on the gentle south-facing slope of Yarley Hill overlooking the Somerset Levels a few miles west of Wells.

Nature Reserve

Aller & Beer Woods

The wild woods of Aller and Beer not only provide a cool refuge to explore in the summer sun but also outstanding views across Aller Moor towards Kings Sedgemoor on the Somerset Levels.

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Exmoor National Park

A unique landscape of moorland, woodland, valleys and farmland, shaped by people and nature over thousands of years.
Species

Common hawthorn

In May, our hedgerows burst into life as common hawthorn erupts with creamy-white blossom, colouring the landscape and giving this thorny shrub its other name of 'May-tree'.