King'a Castle Wood - Neil Watson
King's Castle Wood
Location
Woodbury
OS Map Reference
ST 568 456
Know before you go
Parking information
No car park. Footpaths from Wells join a right of way off the B3139. There is open access at ST 565 456. Walk along the track to the east.Grazing animals
NoAccess
King's Castle Wood is not easily accessible by car. On foot the main route to the woodland is south from the centre of Wells on the B3139; turn right after half a mile.
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
April to JulyAbout the reserve
Below the trees the ground is rich in wild flowers and dominated in patches by Bluebell and Dog's Mercury. Uncommon species include Solomons Seal, Spurge Laurel, Wood Goldilocks, Herb Paris, Meadow Saffron, Toothwort and Common Gromwell.
The margins of the wood have many plants characteristic of unimproved calcareous grassland including Wild Thyme, Salad Burnet, Common Rockrose and Vervain.
Important nesting birds include Marsh Tit while Wood warbler has also been recorded.
Notable invertebrates include Silver-Washed fritillary and Oil Beetle.
The woodland fauna is diverse. Roe Deer and Grey Squirrel are common, there are badger setts in the wood and there have been occasional records of a number of bat species including Serotine and Noctule.