Sutton's Pond

Close-up of great crested grebe swimming

Great Crested Grebe - Brian Phipps

Please be aware the path to the second hide has unfortunately become unstable and is therefore closed. Only the hide in the car park is currently accessible. 

A worked-out clay pit; two thirds of this reserve consist of open water and reed beds with a central island. In summer you will see water birds plus dragonflies and damselflies perched on water lilies which dominate the pond.

Location

Sutton's Pond,
Chilton Trinity
Bridgwater
Somerset

OS Map Reference

ST 296 396
A static map of Sutton's Pond

Know before you go

Size
3 hectares
P

Parking information

Small reserve car park off Middle Drove at ST 296 396. Also walk from Chilton Trinity along Straight Drove and take first left onto Middle Drove.

Grazing animals

No

Walking trails

Dangerous steep banks and deep water. Some of the paths are suitable for wheelchairs and the bird hide near the car park has disabled access.

Access

There are various paths around the reserve, some are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The bird hide near the car park has disabled access. Contact the Trust for further access information.

Dogs

On a lead

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 August

About the reserve

Just a short walk from the village of Chilton Trinity will bring you to this wetland wildlife haven.

In summer, the open water is dominated by water lilies, and dragonflies and damselflies can often be seen perched on them. Several species of diving beetle have been recorded and also the Water Stick Insect.

Great Crested Grebe have successfully nested on the pond and Kingfishers frequent the site summer and winter. 
Also during summer this is a favourite place for Swallows and House Martins to come and hunt for insects that emerge from the pond. Both species are easy to see swooping close to the surface of the pond as they feed. Sedge and Reed Warblers both breed here in the dense vegetation and reeds that surrounds the pond as do Cettis Warbler and Reed Bunting.

History and Archaeology - This is a flooded former brick pit where clay was excavated in the 1940’s and 1950’s for brick and tile making at the Chilton Trinity brick factory.

The reserve is close to the River Parrett and the Parrett Trail and Wildlife & Wetlands Trust Steart Marshes.

Contact us

Somerset Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01923 652400

Sutton's Pond documents