South Hill

Common Blue Butterfly

Common Blue Butterfly - Amy Lewis

South Hill

South Hill is situated just north of Long Sutton off the A372 and is an area of calcareous grassland and scrub blocks. The soils that have developed since the quarrying ceased are very shallow which has encouraged a diverse flora to develop.

Location

South Hill,
Harding's Hill
Long Sutton
Somerset

OS Map Reference

ST 474 265
A static map of South Hill

Know before you go

Size
2 hectares
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Parking information

No parking provision. Access into the reserve is via stile off of the B3165 at ST 474 265.
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Grazing animals

Cattle and sheep grazing.
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Access

Stile. Level but uneven grassland.

Dogs

image/svg+xmlUnder effective control

Visit the 'Dog walking on reserves' page in the Contact section for more information.

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to July

About the reserve

A single field of species rich unimproved calcareous grassland with some blocks of bramble, scrub and mature hedgerows

The reserve lies on Lower Lias Limestone and the whole site has been quarried for flagstones in the past. The soils that have developed since the quarrying ceased are very shallow which has encouraged a diverse flora to develop. Look out for Greater Knapweed, Wooley Thistle, Wild Parsnip, Cowslip, Marjoram, Common Thyme, Large Thyme and Salad Burnet. Grass Vetchling and also Pyramidal Orchids in late May early June. Two of the commonest grasses here are Meadow Oat Grass and Upright Brome.

The grassy mounds in the field are Yellow Meadow Ant anthills. Other insects found here include the very large Great Green Bushcricket, the butterflies Brown Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Speckled Wood, Marbled White and Common Blue.

These hedges are thick with Oak, Hawthorn, Field Maple, Spindle, Buckthorn and lots of young Elm.

Contact us

Somerset Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01823 652400

South Hill documents