Other nature reserves

The Trust is a significant land-holder in Somerset managing wildlife rich land. The nature reserves listed alphabetically below are less suitable for visitors, than those shown on the previous page, for a number of reasons.

While the following nature reserves are wonderful examples of Somerset’s diverse natural habitats, some contain small, fragile habitats, where wildlife is easily disturbed. Others are more difficult to visit, because they are in remote areas of the county, off the beaten track or present challenging accessibility and/or health and safety issues.

In a few cases it is necessary to restrict access to a reserve and a permit may be required. These sites are
listed at the end of this page.

Aisholt Wood
ST 196 359. 41 acres (16.6 ha.)
Ancient oak woodland on Quantock Hills.
Open access (public bridleway from ST 199 362)

Babcary Meadows
ST 567 293. 30 acres (12.2 ha.)
Species-rich hay meadow.Park in village and walk down track past village hall at ST 566 292 (open access).

Bickham Wood (near Chard)
ST 270 085. 25.8 acres (10.4 ha.)
Deciduous wet ancient woodland and neutral grassland. Open access at ST 268 083. Park at lay-by ST 267 081.

Bishopswood Meadows (Blackdowns)
ST 252 131. 23 acres (9.3 ha.)
Species-rich limestone and marshy meadows beside River Yarty. Open access lane off road at ST 252 129, 400 metres from Bishopswood village.

Boon’s Copse (near West Hatch)
ST 281 197. 9 acres (3.8 ha.)
Ancient woodland relics of original Neroche Royal Forest. Open access park at ST 282 197, entrance to north-west through field.

Brimley Hill Mire
ST 175 141. 5 acres (2 ha.)
Blackdown flush mire on greensand exposure.
Characteristic base-poor acid mire community. Open access at gate on road.

Bubwith Acres (including Bradley Cross Fields)
ST 474 538. 46.7 Acres (18.9 ha.)
Limestone grassland and heath with bracken encroachment. Open access footpath from ST 481
546 south-west along West Mendip Way or north-east from ST 462 536.

Cheddar Wood Edge
ST 446 550. 17 acres (7.1 ha.)
Old strawberry fields, reverting to semi species-rich limestone grassland and scrub with ancient woodland
hedges. Open access, north-east 300 metres up Wood Lane from ST 444 546.

Cockles Fields
ST 647 487. 12 acres (4.9 ha.)
Steeply sloping flower-rich grassland. Open access.
Short walk from Harridge Woods.

Dundon Beacon (near Compton Dundon)
ST 484 326. 60 acres (24.3 ha.)
Mosaic of grass downland, scrub thickets and ancient oak woodland. Open access park at Dundon village, access from School Lane.

Fivehead Arable Fields
ST 338 224. 26 acres (10.5 ha.)
Cornfield flowers. Open access along field edges.

Gilling Down (near Compton Dundon)
ST 497 323. 23 acres (9.3 ha.)
Flower-rich limestone downland. Open access from track running west from Great Breach Wood.

Holford Kelting (Quantocks)
ST 154 419. 13 acres (5.3 ha.)
Ancient woodland and streamside scrub. Open access park in Holford village. Access via footpath from ST
157 414.

Huish Moor (Brendons)
ST 034 287. 30.6 acres (12.4 ha.)
Unimproved grassland, mire communities and ancient woodland, around headwaters of River Tone. Open access via track from minor road. Park in lay-by at ST 034 285.

Jan Hobbs (Blackdowns)
ST 262 133. 15.5 acres (6.2 ha.)
Semi-improved neutral grassland, and copse; alongside a headwater of River Yarty. Access from road at ST 263 136.

Lots Grassland (Mendip)
ST 481 564. 126 acres (51 ha.)
The site is neutral to acid grassland, with small area of species-rich flush mire.
Open access, all year round, the nature reserve is adjacent to GB Gruffy.

Mascall’s Wood (Mendips)
ST 471 536. 14.5 acres (5.9 ha.)
Ancient woodland, with derelict strawberry fields adjacent. Open access footpath north from Bradley
Cross through Owley from ST 469 531. No parking.

Middledown (Mendips)
ST 485 530. 100.5 acres (40.7 ha.)
Neutral and limestone grassland, scrub and several small ponds. Open access. Park on B3135 and walk
south-west along Middledown Drove.

Perry Mead (near Babcary)
ST 579 302. 27 acres (10.9 ha.)
Flower-rich, unimproved neutral grassland, by River Cary. Open access park beside road at ST 577 303;
then footpath to east.

Prospect Fields (near Langport)
ST 419 283. 7 acres (2.8 ha.)
Species-rich calcareous grassland. Open access.

Quants
ST 188 175. 34 acres (13.8 ha.)
Mosaic of relic heathy grassland and ancient and secondary woodland on steep north-facing slope of
Blackdown Hills. Open access at ST 189 176.

Rewe Mead (near Langford Budville)
ST 105 214. 13 acres (5.2 ha.)
Floodplain meadow on River Tone. Open access on public path off minor road to south.

Ringdown (Blackdowns)
ST 180 153. 59 acres (23.9 ha.)
Species-rich flush mire, wet grassland and wet woodland. Part of headwaters of River Culm. Open access from ST 181 154

Ruggin (Blackdowns)
ST 183 178. 36.2 acres (14.6 ha.)
Ancient woodland and species-rich grassland, neutral hay meadow in small fields, divided by hedgerows.
Access via bridleway off minor road at ST 189 176.

Sharpham Moor (Somerset Levels, near Street)
ST 465 389. 1.4 acres (0.6 ha.)
Damp carr woodland with clearings surrounded by peat diggings. Open access west at Avalon Farm
ST 469 384, first right 400m. Up drove, woodland block on right.

South Hill (near Somerton)
ST 474 265. 6 acres (2.4 ha.)
Herb-rich limestone grassland and scrub. Open access - park at ST 474 265.

Tor Hole Fields (near Chewton Mendip)
ST 573 518. 13.9 Acres (5.6 ha.)
Species-rich grassland. Open access from near ST 574 516

Wellington Castle Fields
ST 139 175. 26 acres (10.6 ha.)
Wet and improved neutral grassland and wood on steep north-facing slope of Blackdown Hills. Open
access - park at ST 142 183 and walk south down Beacon Lane, or footpath from Wellington Monument.

West Coker Fen (near Yeovil)
ST 507 137. 16 acres (6.5 ha.)
Damp unimproved neutral grassland, sedgemire and pond. Open access park at ST 503 138 and take footpath to south-east.

Westhay Heath (Somerset Levels)
ST 416 420. 15 acres (6.1 ha.)
Peat excavations, reed bed and scrub. May be closed due to bird breeding Mid-April to August. Open access on tracks only due to dangerous and sensitive site.

Whitefield (near Butleigh)
ST 529 330 6.6 acres (2.6 ha.)
Unimproved neutral grassland and small copse. Open access from Henley Lane along track and across the
end of the neighbouring field. Please keep to the edges of the field until the hay has been cut.

Withial Combe (near Pilton)
ST 570 375. 24 acres (9.7 ha.)
Remote steep-sided woodland ravine, with two small meadows. Open access - park at ST 576 376.

Yarley Fields (near Wookey)
ST 496 446. 13.1 acres (5.3 ha.)
Slightly calcareous unimproved grassland. Open access from Perry Lake Lane or Yarley Field Lane. No local parking.

Yarty Moor (Blackdowns)
ST 235 159. 26.8 acres (10.8 ha.)
Mire and wet grassland around source of River Yarty.
Bog flora. Not good walking specialist interest. Open access - park beside road at ST 235 163.

Permit only/restricted access

Permits may be requested by contacting the Trust on 01823 652400 or

Cheddar Wood
155 acres (68.2 ha.)
Ancient woodland. Permit required.

Burtle Moor
37 acres (15 ha.)
Grazing marsh. Permit required October to July inclusive.

Catcott North
20 acres (8.1 ha.)
Unimproved species-rich grassland, cut for hay, grazed June/July. Permit required, April-July inclusive only.

Chancellor’s Farm
76.5 acres (34.8 ha.)
In addition to being run as a working farm, complete with native breeds of grazing cattle, the site is a haven for wildlife and the wildflower meadows are traditionally managed. Permit only.

Chilton Moor
47 acres (19 ha.)
Four blocks of grazing marsh. Permit required viewing from droves only October to July inclusive.

Edford Wood
39 acres (15.8 ha.)
Ancient woodland with birch regeneration. Strictly permit only.

Greylynch
2 acres (0.8 ha.)
Calcareous grassland and woodland. Permit required.

Horsehill Coppice
13.6 acres (5.5 ha.)
Strictly no visiting.

King’s Hill Gully
3.5 acres (1.4 ha.)
Ancient woodland. Permit required.

Mounsey
140 acres (56.7 ha.)
Ancient woodland and meadows. Permit required.

Munty
25 acres (10.1 ha.)
Unimproved grassland and marsh. Permit required.

Payton Marsh
5 acres (2 ha.)Wet meadow and valley fen. Permit
required.

Tealham Moor
110.7 acres (44.8 ha.)
Seven blocks of grazing marsh. Viewing from droves only, otherwise permit required.