Animals and Nature

Attractions

Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve

Westhay

Description

Internationally famous as a haven for birdwatchers in particular, Somerset Wildlife Trust’s main site on the Peat Moors covers more than 100 hectares.

Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve

Internationally famous as a haven for birdwatchers in particular, Somerset Wildlife Trust’s main site on the Peat Moors covers more than 100 hectares.

Restored peat diggings, three miles north-west of Glastonbury have been transformed into a network of open water, reed bed and the largest surviving fragment of lowland acid mire in the South-West.

Designated as a National Nature Reserve, Westhay Moor was a pioneering project by Somerset Wildlife Trust, in the early 1980s. Since the site’s restoration it has become recognised as one of the top bird watching locations in Britain and often features in documentaries, including the BBC’s Springwatch and Autumnwatch series.

Westhay's biggest attractions for birdwatchers arrive in autumn and stay through to January/ February -several million starlings fill the sky as they arrive to roost among the reeds each afternoon.


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Facilities

ACCESSIBILITY

    ESTABLISHMENT FEATURES

      PARKING & TRANSPORT

        SPECIALIST FEATURES

          • Guide dogs permitted

          • In countryside

          • On site parking

          • Outdoor Attraction

          Road Directions

          Westhay Moor is north of Westhay village , 5 km north west of Glastonbury. There is a car park on the reserve, adjacent to Westhay Moor Drove.

          Public access to the reserve is by signed routes. The site can be visited at any time of year


          Public Transport Directions

          By bus: First Street to Shipham service stops at the Post Office in Meare on
          the B3151 approx. 1.25 miles (2km) away.
          By train: Bridgwater station 10 miles, Taunton station 22 miles
          By bicycle: Disused railway line, along Bridgwater to Glastonbury canal.
          National Cycle Route 3. Cycle hire: 01278 722269
          Parking for disabled: 2 spaces, accessed by a RADAR key – contact reserve office.
          A motorised buggy is available for use on the reserve – please contact Street Shopmobility on 01458 440155.

          Contact

          Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve
          Westhay
          Nr Glastonbury
          United Kingdom


          T: 01823 652400

          W: somersetwildlife.org/westhay_moor.html


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