Huntspill River National Nature Reserve

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Overview

The Huntspill River NNR, near Woolavington, consists of an artificial river dug in 1940 to provide water for a Royal Ordnance factory. The reserve holds a large stock of coarse fish, is home to otters and a breeding site for barn owls. In winter the Huntspill River is used to clear floodwater from agricultural land in the Brue valley, and in summer it is filled by water from local peat moors. At its western end the Huntspill enters the Bridgwater Bay NNR (see above). Most of the grassland on the banks of the river is leased for haymaking or grazing by cattle and sheep. With its large population of coarse fish, the reserve is used by a local angling association. Artificial holts have been built for otters and boxes for barn owls, who hunt on the nearby grassland.Willow and scrub have been planted to provide new habitats and increase diversity.

Location

West Huntspill

About the area

Somerset remains rural and unspoiled, and ever popular areas to visit are the limestone and red sandstone Mendip Hills rising to over 1,000 feet, and by complete contrast, to the south and southwest, the flat landscape of the Somerset Levels. Another popular spot, the Quantocks, once the haunt of poets Coleridge and Wordsworth, are noted for their gentle slopes, heather-covered moorland expanses and red deer.

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Huntspill River National Nature Reserve

West Huntspill

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Huntspill River National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

The Huntspill River NNR, near Woolavington, consists of an artificial river dug in 1940 to provide water for a Royal Ordnance factory. The reserve holds a large stock of coarse fish, is home to otters and a breeding site for barn owls. In winter the Huntspill River is used to clear floodwater from agricultural land in the Brue valley, and in summer it is filled by water from local peat moors. At its western end the Huntspill enters the Bridgwater Bay NNR (see above). Most of the grassland on the banks of the river is leased for haymaking or grazing by cattle and sheep. With its large population of coarse fish, the reserve is used by a local angling association. Artificial holts have been built for otters and boxes for barn owls, who hunt on the nearby grassland.Willow and scrub have been planted to provide new habitats and increase diversity.

Location

West Huntspill

About the area

Area image

Somerset remains rural and unspoiled, and ever popular areas to visit are the limestone and red sandstone Mendip Hills rising to over 1,000 feet, and by complete contrast, to the south and southwest, the flat landscape of the Somerset Levels. Another popular spot, the Quantocks, once the haunt of poets Coleridge and Wordsworth, are noted for their gentle slopes, heather-covered moorland expanses and red deer.

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Nearby places to stay

View all (8)