Nature reserves
With 66 stunning nature reserves there is something for everyone, from the levels and moors to the coast, come and explore Somerset today.
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Restoring Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve
On the Somerset Levels, in the heart of the county, lie several thousand hectares of lowland peatland, including Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve.
Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve
Westhay Moor is part of the mystical Avalon Marshes within Somerset's historic Levels and Moors. It provides a home for rare wildlife and a unique insight into thousands of years of shifting…
Installation of bicycle hoops at Catcott and Westhay Moor Nature Reserves 2026 ITT
We are seeking interested parties for installation of bicycle hoops at Catcott and Westhay Moor Nature Reserves. Find out more!
Westhay
Westhay Moor is part of the mystical Avalon Marshes within Somerset's historic Levels and Moors. It provides a home for rare wildlife and a unique insight into thousands of years of shifting landscape. Reclaimed from the remnants of industrial-scale peat extraction, Westhay Moor is home to the largest surviving remnant of lowland acid mire in the South West.
Caring for Somerset’s nature reserves
We’re incredibly grateful to all of our volunteers who help us carry out practical work on the Mendip reserves – it makes a huge difference to how much work we can accomplish.
Management of ragwort on nature reserves
Like any conservation land management carried out on nature reserve quality habitats, the management of ragwort is quite a complex and nuanced subject, requiring many considerations to be balanced…
Filming and photography on our Nature Reserves
Our nature reserves have been used as locations by a wide range of media. The nature of requests vary widely and we are usually happy to accommodate them if possible as long as disturbance to wildlife can be kept to a minimum.
Westhay Car Parking
Details / FAQ for the introduction of car parking charges at Westhay Moor Nature Reserve
Dogs on Westhay and Catcott
We have taken the decision to restrict dogs to being allowed only on public rights of way (the droves) at our Westhay Moor and Catcott nature reserves.
Catcott Nature Reserve
Our Catcott reserve comprises of an amazing wetland mosaic of traditional hay meadows, wet woodland and wet grazing marsh and fen. This encourages a range of species to feed, breed and roost all…
Update of reserves opening
An update on the status of our nature reserves.